Abstract: The present invention relates generally to lighting systems employed in outboard motors used as marine propulsion systems, and to marine vessel assemblies employing outboard motors with such lighting systems, and related methods of operation and implementation. In one example embodiment of a lighting system, the lighting system includes a first cowling panel portion including a reflective strip portion, and a second cowling panel portion that, in combination with the first cowling panel portion, at least partly defines an interior region within the cowling. The lighting system also includes a lighting source that is positioned within the interior region and positioned so that, when operating, first light is emitted toward the reflective strip portion and, upon the first light reaching the reflective strip portion, at least some of the first light is directed outward away from the cowling.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, transmission devices for such an outboard motor, and related methods of making, operating, and modifying attributes of same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the motor, positioned substantially above a trimming axis of the motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to propeller(s). In at least a further embodiment, the motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, and/or other transmission features. In at least some additional embodiments, a transmission device of the motor is configured to facilitate gear ratio variation and/or includes an integrated oil pump.

Abstract: Embodiments of outboard motors and related systems and components thereof, as well as arrangements of marine vessels implementing same, as well as related methods of operation, use, assembly, and manufacture, and related improvements, are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a cowling system in which at least one divider portion separates an interior region into first and second portion, with the transmission and engine respectively being situated in the first and second portions, respectively. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a water pump system in which a water pump is integrated with the transmission. Further, in at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a fuel vaporization suppression feature, or an oil tank feature that allows for desirable oil drainage from the engine of the outboard motor particularly when the outboard motor is in particular (e.g., storage) positions.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: Embodiments of outboard motors and related systems and components thereof, as well as arrangements of marine vessels implementing same, as well as related methods of operation, use, assembly, and manufacture, and related improvements, are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, a transmission arrangement with the outboard motor can include a casting that can be manufactured using orthogonal slides. Also, in at least some embodiments, transmission arrangements within the outboard motor can include a diagonal shaft arrangement by which rotational power is communicated forwardly and downwardly from a location proximate the engine to a location below the engine and/or proximate a gear case of the outboard motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to lighting systems employed in outboard motors used as marine propulsion systems, and to marine vessel assemblies employing outboard motors with such lighting systems, and related methods of operation and implementation. In one example embodiment of a lighting system, the lighting system includes a first cowling panel portion including a reflective strip portion, and a second cowling panel portion that, in combination with the first cowling panel portion, at least partly defines an interior region within the cowling. The lighting system also includes a lighting source that is positioned within the interior region and positioned so that, when operating, first light is emitted toward the reflective strip portion and, upon the first light reaching the reflective strip portion, at least some of the first light is directed outward away from the cowling.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, transmission devices for such an outboard motor, and related methods of making, operating, and modifying attributes of same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the motor, positioned substantially above a trimming axis of the motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to propeller(s). In at least a further embodiment, the motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, and/or other transmission features. In at least some additional embodiments, a transmission device of the motor is configured to facilitate gear ratio variation and/or includes an integrated oil pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to lighting systems employed in outboard motors used as marine propulsion systems, and to marine vessel assemblies employing outboard motors with such lighting systems, and related methods of operation and implementation. In one example embodiment of a lighting system, the lighting system includes a first cowling panel portion including a reflective strip portion, and a second cowling panel portion that, in combination with the first cowling panel portion, at least partly defines an interior region within the cowling. The lighting system also includes a lighting source that is positioned within the interior region and positioned so that, when operating, first light is emitted toward the reflective strip portion and, upon the first light reaching the reflective strip portion, at least some of the first light is directed outward away from the cowling.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, transmission devices for such an outboard motor, and related methods of making, operating, and modifying attributes of same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the motor, positioned substantially above a trimming axis of the motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to propeller(s). In at least a further embodiment, the motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, and/or other transmission features. In at least some additional embodiments, a transmission device of the motor is configured to facilitate gear ratio variation and/or includes an integrated oil pump.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.