Abstract: A cowling has first and second cowl portions that enclose a powerhead on a marine drive. A latching assembly is for latching the first and second cowl portions together. The latching assembly has a retainer portion fixed to the first cowl portion and a latching portion fixed to the second cowl portion. The latching portion comprises a latch arm and a bell crank, the latch arm and bell crank being rotatable into and between a latched position in which the latch arm is latched to the retainer portion and an unlatched position in which the latch arm is unlatched from the retainer portion. A novel detent mechanism mechanically retains the latch arm and bell crank in the latched position and alternately in the unlatched position. A pair of bolted connections that fix the first and second cowling portions together and are located on opposite sides of the cowling.

Abstract: A cowling is for a marine drive. The cowling has first and second cowl portions for enclosing a powerhead, and a latching device which is movable into a latched position in which the powerhead is enclosed by the first cowl and second cowl portions and an unlatched position in which the second cowl portion is movable with respect to the first cowl portion so that the powerhead is accessible. The latching device has an electric actuator configured to automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position and a manually-operable input device which is accessible from outside of the cowling and is configured to actuate the electric actuator to thereby automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is for a cowling on a marine drive. The cowling has a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion which together enclose a cowl interior. The hinge assembly has a first base frame configured for fixed attachment to an interior surface of the first cowl portion and a second base frame configured for fixed attachment to an interior surface of the second cowl portion. The second base frame is pivotally coupled to the first base frame by a connection device that enables manual removal of the second base frame from the intermediate frame without use of a tool, thus facilitating manual removal of the second cowl portion from the first cowl portion without the use of the tool.

Abstract: A cowling has first and second cowl portions that enclose a powerhead on a marine drive. A latching assembly is for latching the first and second cowl portions together. The latching assembly has a retainer portion fixed to the first cowl portion and a latching portion fixed to the second cowl portion. The latching portion comprises a latch arm and a bell crank, the latch arm and bell crank being rotatable into and between a latched position in which the latch arm is latched to the retainer portion and an unlatched position in which the latch arm is unlatched from the retainer portion. A novel detent mechanism mechanically retains the latch arm and bell crank in the latched position and alternately in the unlatched position. A pair of bolted connections that fix the first and second cowling portions together and are located on opposite sides of the cowling.

Abstract: A carrying tray facilitates installation of a latching assembly on a cowl of a marine drive. The carrying tray comprises a plurality of latching device cavities configured to retain a plurality of latching devices in a spaced-apart orientation that positions each respective latching device with respect to its mounting position on the cowl so that the respective latching device can be directly installed onto the cowl without tangling or damaging the flexible connectors, and an actuator retainer that retains an actuator in a position with respect to its mounting position on the cowl so that the actuator can be directly installed onto the cowl without tangling or damaging the flexible connectors.

Abstract: A marine drive has a powerhead and a cowling enclosing the powerhead. The cowling comprises a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion coupled to the first cowl portion and being movable with respect to the first cowl portion into and between a closed cowl position in which the powerhead is enclosed by the cowling and an open cowl position in which the powerhead is accessible. A recoil starter is for starting the marine drive. The recoil starter extends through the second cowl portion and comprises a pull-start handle coupled to the marine drive via a recoil cable. Manually pulling the pull-start handle out of a recoiled position with respect to the marine drive causes the marine drive to start. The pull-start handle is also movable into an offset position, in which the second cowl portion is freely movable into and out of the open and closed cowl positions.

Abstract: A cowling is for a marine drive. The cowling has first and second cowl portions for enclosing a powerhead, and a latching device which is movable into a latched position in which the powerhead is enclosed by the first cowl and second cowl portions and an unlatched position in which the second cowl portion is movable with respect to the first cowl portion so that the powerhead is accessible. The latching device has an electric actuator configured to automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position and a manually-operable input device which is accessible from outside of the cowling and is configured to actuate the electric actuator to thereby automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A service door for a cowl for an outboard marine propulsion device that includes a door panel that is positionable in an open position and in a closed position. A first hinge rotatably couples the door panel to the cowl. A biasing device operates in conjunction with the first hinge and biases the door panel towards the open position. A second hinge rotatably couples the door panel to the cowl and at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge provides only one shear of rotation between the door panel and the cowl. A damper operates in conjunction with the second hinge and resists rotation of the door panel towards the open position. The inside of the cowl is accessible when the door panel is in the open position and inaccessible when the door panel is in the closed position.

Abstract: A carrying tray facilitates installation of a latching assembly on a cowl of a marine drive. The carrying tray comprises a plurality of latching device cavities configured to retain a plurality of latching devices in a spaced-apart orientation that positions each respective latching device with respect to its mounting position on the cowl so that the respective latching device can be directly installed onto the cowl without tangling or damaging the flexible connectors, and an actuator retainer that retains an actuator in a position with respect to its mounting position on the cowl so that the actuator can be directly installed onto the cowl without tangling or damaging the flexible connectors.

Abstract: A marine drive includes an engine; a cowl having first and second cowl portions. The first cowl portion is movable with respect to the second cowl portion into an open position in which the engine is manually accessible and a closed position in which the engine is enclosed; and a rigging port in the second cowl portion. The rigging port provides a passageway for rigging connectors extending from the engine to a component located remotely from the engine. A rigging opening provides manual access to the rigging connectors and the engine, including when the first cowl portion is in the closed position. A removable access door covers the rigging opening and prevents manual access to the engine and rigging connectors via the rigging opening. The removable access door is fastened to the second cowl portion by a removable fastener that is hidden from view.

Abstract: A marine drive has a propulsion unit, a supporting cradle, a resilient mount that couples the propulsion unit to the supporting cradle, a sound blocking member that extends across an internal gap between the propulsion unit and the supporting cradle, and a cowling system having upper and lower cowlings that cover at least a portion of the propulsion unit and lower cradle covers that cover at least a portion of the supporting cradle. The upper and lower cowlings are separated from the lower cradle covers by an external gap so that the upper and lower cowlings can move along with the propulsion unit and with respect to the supporting cradle and the cradle covers. The sound blocking member blocks the sound which otherwise would emanate from propulsion unit via the internal gap and then from the marine drive via the external gap.

Abstract: A marine drive includes an engine; a cowl having first and second cowl portions. The first cowl portion is movable with respect to the second cowl portion into an open position in which the engine is manually accessible and a closed position in which the engine is enclosed; and a rigging port in the second cowl portion. The rigging port provides a passageway for rigging connectors extending from the engine to a component located remotely from the engine. A rigging window provides manual access to the rigging connectors and the engine, including when the first cowl portion is in the closed position. A removable access door covers the rigging window and prevents manual access to the engine and rigging connectors via the rigging window. The removable access door is fastened to the second cowl portion by a removable fastener that is hidden from view.

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 cowling for an outboard motor has port and starboard intake ports that direct flow of intake air into the cowling and extend downwardly along the aftward side of the cowling and face laterally outwardly. A duct system receives and conveys intake air intake ports to an intake conduit for the outboard motor. The duct system includes port and starboard intake troughs that extend alongside the intake ports and redirect the intake air from a generally lateral flow into the intake ports to a generally vertically downward flow and then to a generally forward flow towards the intake conduit. Port and starboard baffles that extend alongside the intake ports and direct flow of water into port and starboard channels located alongside the baffles, respectively. The channels drain the water by gravity depending on tilt and trim orientation of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A marine drive includes an engine; a cowl having first and second cowl portions. The first cowl portion is movable with respect to the second cowl portion into an open position in which the engine is manually accessible and a closed position in which the engine is enclosed; and a rigging port in the second cowl portion. The rigging port provides a passageway for rigging connectors extending from the engine to a component located remotely from the engine. A rigging window provides manual access to the rigging connectors and the engine, including when the first cowl portion is in the closed position. A removable access door covers the rigging window and prevents manual access to the engine and rigging connectors via the rigging window. The removable access door is fastened to the second cowl portion by a removable fastener that is hidden from view.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with a propulsor via a driveshaft. A protective covering for the outboard motor includes a cowl that houses the engine within a closed interior thereof. An opening in an outer surface of the cowl provides access to the closed interior. A rigging tray can be inserted through the opening to a retracted position, in which a majority of the rigging tray is within the closed interior. A plurality of electrical lines extends from the engine and into the rigging tray from a first end thereof. Each electrical line in the plurality of electrical lines terminates in the rigging tray at a respective one of a plurality of electrical connectors. A second end of the rigging tray receives a complementary plurality of vessel electrical lines for connection to the plurality of engine electrical lines via the plurality of electrical connectors.

Abstract: A cowling for a marine engine has an outer shell and a supporting structure bonded to an interior surface of the outer shell. The supporting structure has an elongated member that extends along the interior surface and provides rigidity to the outer shell. The supporting structure comprises a plurality of flex joints that are spaced apart along the elongated member and allow the supporting structure to flex transversely to the elongated member and thus follow a contour of the interior surface during bonding to the outer shell. Corresponding methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly is for aligning and stabilizing first and second cowl portions on a marine engine. The assembly comprises an engagement member configured to be fixed to the first cowl portion and a retainer apparatus configured to be fixed to the second cowl portion. The retainer apparatus is configured to receive the engagement member when one of the first cowl portion and second cowl portion is moved towards the other of the first cowl portion and the second cowl portion. The retainer apparatus comprises a retainer body and opposing guide members that are pivotable with respect to the retainer body. As the retainer apparatus receives the engagement member, the engagement member engages and causes the guide members to pivot with respect to the retainer body such that the engagement member becomes sandwiched between the guide members, thus aligning and stabilizing the first and second cowl portions.

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 latching device is for a cowl on an outboard marine engine, the cowl having first and second cowl portions that are separated from each other in an open cowl position and that are latched together by the latching device in a closed cowl position. A retainer is adapted to be fixed to the first cowl portion and a latch is adapted to be fixed to the second cowl portion. The latch is movable into and between a latched position in which the latch is latched to the retainer and an unlatched position in which the latch is unlatched from the retainer. The latch comprises an engagement member, a bell crank, and a spring that is coupled to the engagement member and the bell crank. Movement of the bell crank with respect to the engagement member generates an overcenter force on the engagement member that facilitates latching and unlatching of the engagement member and the retainer.