Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a propeller shaft housing for being secured in the gear case bore and configured for being securely engaged to the gear case bore by threaded screws that pass through bosses in the housing and into threaded holes in the gear case. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the propeller shaft housing includes at least two bosses having compound angle holes therethrough, and at least two threaded holes in the gear case are arranged to align with one of the respective holes through the bosses. Respective screws extend through the holes in the bosses of the propeller shaft housing and into threaded engagement with the threaded holes in the gear case. In the exemplary embodiment, one of the threaded holes in the gear case is adjacent a skeg, and one of the threaded holes is adjacent a strut.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a propeller shaft housing for being secured in the gear case bore and configured for being securely engaged to the gear case bore by threaded screws that pass through bosses in the housing and into threaded holes in the gear case. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the propeller shaft housing includes at least two bosses having compound angle holes therethrough, and at least two threaded holes in the gear case are arranged to align with one of the respective holes through the bosses. Respective screws extend through the holes in the bosses of the propeller shaft housing and into threaded engagement with the threaded holes in the gear case. In the exemplary embodiment, one of the threaded holes in the gear case is adjacent a skeg, and one of the threaded holes is adjacent a strut.

Abstract: A water jet propulsion unit having an articulating exit nozzle assembly which serves as both a thrust nozzle and a steering nozzle. The assembly includes a flow-through inner housing or duct having a flanged portion with an inlet and a ball-shaped portion with an outlet, and a convergent nozzle having a spherical socket which fits around the ball-shaped portion of the inner duct. This ball and socket arrangement allows the nozzle to rotate relative to the ball-shaped portion of the inner duct. A limit pin on the duct projects into a slot formed in the nozzle wall to prevent rotation of the nozzle about a centerline of the duct. Abutment of the pin with the ends of the slot limit the trim angle of the nozzle to a predetermined range. A bracket is attached to the nozzle for controlling the angular position of the nozzle relative to the inner duct.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit including a gear case rotatably supporting a propeller shaft adapted to support a propeller, which gear case includes an interior passage leading to a water pump, which gear case also includes a leading edge and opposite side surfaces having outwardly convex configurations extending rearwardly from the leading edge, one of the side surfaces including a cooling water inlet comprising an opening located in the one side surface, communicating with the interior passage, and defined by forward and rearward walls, a recess located in the one side surface forwardly of the opening and having a rearward end located at the forward wall of the opening and a forward end, which recess increases in lateral depth from the forward end to the rearward end, and a screen located in the opening and including an inclined portion extending outwardly and rearwardly from the forward wall of the opening, and a side portion extending rearwardly from the inclined po