Abstract: A muffler comprises a housing having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet. A first exhaust chamber is disposed concentrically within the housing and is connected with the exhaust inlet. The first exhaust chamber includes a plurality of openings through a first exhaust chamber wall for distributing exhaust gas radially outwardly therethrough. A second exhaust chamber is disposed concentrically around the first exhaust chamber and receives exhaust gas passed to it from the first exhaust chamber. The second exhaust chamber is defined along an outside diameter by a second exhaust chamber wall that comprises a plurality of openings therethrough for passing exhaust gas radially outwardly therefrom. The second exhaust chamber is in communication with the muffler outlet. A third exhaust chamber that is disposed concentrically around the second exhaust chamber for receiving exhaust gas from the second exhaust chamber. The third exhaust chamber is defined along an outside diameter by the muffler housing.

Abstract: A load-relieving external steering system for marine outdrive units comprises a first hydraulic steering ram having a piston partially disposed within a housing, wherein the piston is attached to one side of an outdrive unit and the housing is attached to an adjacent portion of a transom. A second hydraulic steering ram has a piston partially disposed within a housing, wherein the piston of the second steering ram is attached to an opposite side of the outdrive unit and the housing of the second steering ram is attached to an adjacent portion of the transom. The first and second steering rams are mounted in a common horizontal plane between the outdrive unit and transom. The housing of each steering ram comprises a front chamber and a rear chamber. A hydraulic pump for providing hydraulic fluid at a constant pressure is connected to the rear chamber of each steering ram.