Abstract: A propeller for a marine propulsion device configured for use on a boat has a hub extending along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of blades, each blade having a blade root attached to the hub and extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis toward a respective blade tip. Each blade has a polymer-based core. Each blade is coated with a metal coating that extends from the blade root radially outwardly toward the blade tip. The blade tips are not coated with the metal coating. A method of manufacturing the propeller is also included.

Abstract: A propeller for a marine propulsion device configured for use on a boat has a hub extending along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of blades, each blade having a blade root attached to the hub and extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis toward a respective blade tip. Each blade has a polymer-based core. Each blade is coated from the blade root to the blade tip with a metal coating. A method of making the propeller includes molding the propeller and coating each blade from the blade root to the blade tip with a metal coating.

Abstract: A method of automatically controlling trim position of a marine drive with a control system on a marine vessel includes receiving a user-selected command associated with wake surfing and then controlling a trim actuator to automatically position the marine drive in a tucked position, tucked position is between a vertical trim position and a minimum running trim position. Once a vessel condition of the marine vessel reaches a first threshold vessel condition the trim actuator is controlled to trim up the marine drive to a predetermined target trim position to generate wave behind the marine vessel. The first threshold vessel condition is at least one of a threshold vessel speed, a threshold engine speed, a threshold engine load, and a threshold vessel pitch.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.

Abstract: A propeller device has a propeller hub which is elongated along the rotational axis and a propeller blade which radially extends from the propeller hub. The propeller hub and propeller blade are configured so that when the propeller device is forwardly rotated, a first portion of the propeller hub on a first side of the propeller blade encounters a positive pressure and a second portion of the propeller hub on an opposite, second side of the blade encounters a relatively lower pressure or suction, and further so that when the propeller device is reversely rotated, the second portion of the propeller hub encounters a positive pressure and the first portion of the propeller hub encounters a relatively lower pressure or suction. An exhaust vent hole is located in the first portion of the propeller hub and configured to vent exhaust gases from the marine drive via the propeller hub as the propeller device is reversely rotated, thereby enhancing reverse thrust performance of the propeller device.

Abstract: A method of automatically controlling trim position of a marine drive with a control system on a marine vessel includes receiving a user-selected command associated with wake surfing and then controlling a trim actuator to automatically position the marine drive in a tucked position, tucked position is between a vertical trim position and a minimum running trim position. Once a vessel condition of the marine vessel reaches a first threshold vessel condition the trim actuator is controlled to trim up the marine drive to a predetermined target trim position to generate wave behind the marine vessel. The first threshold vessel condition is at least one of a threshold vessel speed, a threshold engine speed, a threshold engine load, and a threshold vessel pitch.