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.