Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly for a two-stroke internal combustion engine has a housing adapted for connection to an engine block of the two-stroke internal combustion engine; an electric actuator having an electric motor, the electric motor being disposed in the housing; and at least one reciprocating exhaust valve operatively connected to the electric actuator. The at least one exhaust valve is linearly movable by the electric motor. A portion of the at least one exhaust valve is disposed in the housing.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly for a two-stroke internal combustion engine has a housing adapted for connection to an engine block of the two-stroke internal combustion engine; an electric actuator having an electric motor, the electric motor being disposed in the housing; and at least one reciprocating exhaust valve operatively connected to the electric actuator. The at least one exhaust valve is linearly movable by the electric motor. A portion of the at least one exhaust valve is disposed in the housing.

Abstract: An gear case assembly for a watercraft propulsion system has a gear case housing, a driveshaft with a partially threaded bore defined in an end thereof, and a propeller shaft. The propeller shaft and the driveshaft are angled relative to each other. A bevel gear is mounted to the propeller shaft. A pinion mounted to the end of the driveshaft. The pinion meshes with the bevel gear. The pinion defines a central aperture. A fastener is disposed at least in part in the central aperture of the pinion. The fastener fastens the pinion to the end of the driveshaft. The fastener has a head and a shank. The shank is at least partially threaded. The shank extends into the bore of the driveshaft. An outboard motor having the gear case assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine has an engine block having a cylinder block and a cylinder head. The cylinder block defines a cylinder, an exhaust passage, and an exhaust valve passage. The engine also has a piston, an exhaust valve actuator operatively connected to at least one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head, and a reciprocating exhaust valve disposed at least in part in the exhaust valve passage. The exhaust valve has a shaft operatively connected to a valve actuator, and a blade connected to the shaft. A channel is defined along a face of the blade. The channel and a wall of the exhaust valve passage together define at least in part a valve passage. The valve passage permits flow of exhaust gas along the face of the blade. A width of the valve passage is at least a third of a width of the blade.

Abstract: An gear case assembly for a watercraft propulsion system has a gear case housing, a driveshaft with a partially threaded bore defined in an end thereof, and a propeller shaft. The propeller shaft and the driveshaft are angled relative to each other. A bevel gear is mounted to the propeller shaft. A pinion mounted to the end of the driveshaft. The pinion meshes with the bevel gear. The pinion defines a central aperture. A fastener is disposed at least in part in the central aperture of the pinion. The fastener fastens the pinion to the end of the driveshaft. The fastener has a head and a shank. The shank is at least partially threaded. The shank extends into the bore of the driveshaft. An outboard motor having the gear case assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cowling for housing an outboard engine. The cowling includes a plurality of walls defining at least in part an engine compartment. An engine compartment inlet, in fluid communication with the engine compartment, is defined at least in part by at least one of the plurality of walls. A hydrophobic mesh member disposed across the inlet is adapted to prevent at least a portion of a water content of an airflow flowing to the engine compartment via the engine compartment inlet from entering the engine compartment. An outboard engine having the cowling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gear case assembly for an outboard engine has a gear case, a driveshaft having a part disposed within the gear case, a bevel gear connected to the part of the driveshaft, a propeller shaft, and a transmission operatively connected to the bevel gear. The bevel gear selectively drives the propeller shaft via the transmission. The transmission has forward and reverse gears operatively connected to the bevel gear, and a shift assembly adapted for actuation by a shift actuator. The shift assembly has first and second rod portions and at least one resilient member. The at least one resilient member operatively connects the first rod portion to the second rod portion. The first rod portion is movable relative to the second rod portion.