Abstract: An apparatus is for operably connecting a marine drive to a marine vessel. A transom bracket is configured for fixed attachment to the marine vessel and for attachment to the marine drive such that the marine drive is trimmable up and down relative to the marine vessel about a trim axis. The transom bracket has a sidewall with a rigging opening through which at least one elongated rigging member extends for operably connecting the marine drive to the marine vessel, wherein the rigging opening is located along the trim axis. The rigging device has an elbow conduit with an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the outlet end is positionable into a plurality of clock positions relative to the inlet end.

Abstract: A cowling is for a marine drive. The cowling has a first cowling portion and a second cowling portion that mates with the first cowling portion along a perimeter edge so as to enclose the marine drive. A perimeter seal is disposed along the perimeter edge and is axially sandwiched between the first cowling portion and the second cowling portion to thereby prevent ingress of water into the cowling. The perimeter seal is retained on the second cowling portion and is axially compressed against the first cowling portion when the second cowling portion is axially mated with the first cowling portion.

Abstract: A latching assembly is for a cowl on a marine drive, the cowl having a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion that mates with the first cowl portion. A latching device is configured to latch and unlatch the first cowl portion to the second cowl portion. An actuator actuates the latching device. A flexible connector has a first end coupled to the latching device and a second end coupled to the actuator. Actuation of the actuator pulls the flexible connector to rotate a pulley and actuate the latching device. One of the first and second ends has a spherical bearing that is nested in a cylindrical bearing and seated in a cavity in the pulley. Pulling on the flexible connector pulls the spherical bearing against the cylindrical bearing such that the cylindrical bearing is pulled against the cavity in the pulley, thereby causing the pulley to rotate.

Abstract: A cowl for an outboard marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine. The cowl comprises a first cowl portion; a second cowl portion that mates with the first cowl portion to enclose the internal combustion engine; a service door on the second cowl portion, wherein the service door is positionable in an open position and in a closed position; and a carrying handle on the second cowl portion, wherein the carrying handle is accessible when the service door is in the open position and inaccessible when the service door is in the closed position. A plurality of latches are spaced apart around the perimeter. The latches latch the second cowl portion to the first cowl portion. An actuator assembly actuates each of the plurality of latches. The actuator assembly can be actuated by movement of the carrying handle.

Abstract: A support system for an outboard motor provides a restricted member that is attached to a bottom portion of the outboard motor and a restricting member that is attached to a support structure that is, in turn, attached to a transom of a marine vessel. The restricted member is prevented from moving in a starboard or port direction by a magnitude greater than a preselected magnitude that is defined by a gap between restricting and restricted surfaces that move into contact with each other when forces on the outboard motor cause a lower portion of the outboard motor to move by a magnitude greater than a predefined limit in either the port or starboard directions. Preselected gaps between restricting and restricted surfaces are sized to allow nominal vibration at low operating speeds of the outboard motor while restricting excessive lateral movement during operation at high speed.

Abstract: An outboard motor is provided with two distinct and separate streams of air flowing through its cowl structure. One stream of air is intended to cool various heat emitting components under the cowl and the other stream of air is intended to provide required air for combustion within the cylinders of the engine. The two streams of air flow along first and second flow paths which are maintained in isolation with respect to each other so that the air in the two streams of air are not mixed together. In that way, heat is prevented from decreasing the density of the air stream flowing into the cylinders for combustion within the engine.