Abstract: A marine drive is provided. The marine drive includes a propulsion unit, a supporting cradle that couples the propulsion unit to a transom bracket for attachment to a marine vessel, and a cowling system that at least partially covers a portion of the propulsion unit and a portion of the supporting cradle. The cowling system includes upper, middle, and lower cowling components, and the middle and lower cowling components are separated by a dynamic gap. The marine drive further includes a sound blanket positioned between the supporting cradle and the middle and lower cowling components. The sound blanket is configured to span the dynamic gap and block sound that would otherwise emanate from the propulsion unit via the dynamic gap.

Abstract: A marine drive is provided. The marine drive includes a propulsion unit, a supporting cradle that couples the propulsion unit to a transom bracket for attachment to a marine vessel, and a cowling system that at least partially covers a portion of the propulsion unit and a portion of the supporting cradle. The cowling system includes multiple cowl components, and at least one of the multiple cowl components is coupled to the supporting cradle using an elastic cowl mount assembly. The elastic cowl mount assembly includes a conical bushing coupled to the cowl component, an external housing coupled to the supporting cradle, and a compliant body coupled to the conical bushing and the external housing. The compliant body permits radial and axial movement of the conical bushing relative to the external housing.

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 locking system is provided for the cowl structure of an outboard motor. An impulse sensitive locking mechanism is configured to rotate into a locking position in response to an impact, or impulse force, exerted against the outboard motor. This rotation of the impulse sensitive locking mechanism prevents a retention component of the latch structure from moving toward an unlatched position in response to the impact exerted on the outboard motor. This, in turn, prevents the first and second latch members from disengaging with each other and allowing a portion of the cowl to disengage from the outboard motor.

Abstract: A rigging apparatus is provided for an outboard motor in which an attachment member is shaped to be rigidly attached to a housing structure, or cowl, of an outboard motor, without the need for additional hardware such as clamps, brackets, or screws. The attachment member is shaped to receive a threaded sleeve in threaded association therewith so that hoses, wires, and cables can be protected within the threaded sleeve. An attachment member of the rigging apparatus is made to be asymmetrical to avoid improper assembly into an opening of the housing structure of an outboard motor.

Abstract: A cowl latching system is provided which facilitates the installation of a removable cowl with respect to a stationary cowl structure and allows these two components to be locked together as a result of a simple downward movement in a vertical direction of the removable cowl with respect to the stationary structure. Removal of the removable cowl is also facilitated by allowing these components to be disengaged from each other as a result of a rotation of the removable cowl relative to the stationary cowl structure after a manually operable latch is released.

Abstract: A cowl latching system provides a retainer that is attached to the outboard motor and a catch device which is attached to a cowl structure. The catch device is shaped to allow the retainer to move between first and second extension portions. The retainer is provided with first and second retention members that can each move from a retracted position to an extended position under the urging of a resilient member such as a spring. The first and second retention members can also be urged from their respective extended positions to their respective retracted positions by the movement of the first and second extension portions of the catch device when the cowl structure is installed unto the outboard motor.

Abstract: A cowl structure comprises first and second cowl members that are independent components. A first cowl member is attachable, by a latch mechanism, to a support structure of the outboard motor. The second cowl member is attachable by a latch mechanism, to both the first cowl member and the support structure. The first cowl member extends across a rear portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along both port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. The second cowl member extends across a front portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along the port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. In a preferred embodiment, the second cowl member also extends partially over a top portion of the outboard motor and over a rear portion of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A cowl structure comprises first and second cowl members that are independent components. A first cowl member is attachable, by a latch mechanism, to a support structure of the outboard motor. The second cowl member is attachable by a latch mechanism, to both the first cowl member and the support structure. The first cowl member extends across a rear portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along both port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. The second cowl member extends across a front portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along the port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. In a preferred embodiment, the second cowl member also extends partially over a top portion of the outboard motor and over a rear portion of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for the cowl of an outboard motor comprises a base portion that is formed as an integral part of the cowl structure itself. This integral base portion, which is shaped as one or more bosses, eliminates the need for additional brackets and fasteners to attach the latching mechanism to the cowl structure. The boss portion, which is an integral part of the cowl, is shaped to receive a pivot member and a latch to complete the structure of the latching mechanism. A latch pin, which is attached to another component, is shaped to be received through a hole in the boss portion to allow the latch to captivate the latch pin when the latch is in a latching position. This attaches the two cowl members, or cover members, to each other.