Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.

Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. A rail is configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A carriage is moveable relative to the rail into first and second positions. A shaft has a first end pivotally coupled to the marine vessel and a second end for coupling to the propulsor. An actuator is configured to pivot the shaft relative to the marine vessel to thereby move the propulsor into and between stowed and deployed positions. A lock is manually operable to fix the carriage in the first position in which the actuator prevents manual pivoting of the shaft and alternatively in the second position in which the shaft is permitted to be manually pivoted.

Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel in a body of water. The marine drive has a supporting frame configured to support the marine drive with respect to the marine vessel, an extension leg depending on the supporting frame, a motor housing depending on the extension leg, the motor housing for containing an electric motor, and a vibration isolating joint which couples the extension leg to the supporting frame. The vibration isolating joint having an isolating connector assembly including an elastomeric member which is clamped between the extension leg and the supporting frame and configured to limit transfer of vibrations from the extension leg to the supporting frame, and a compression limiter which prevents over clamping of the elastomeric member during assembly of the extension leg and the motor housing.

Abstract: A method for operating a propulsion device having a propulsor with a propeller, the propulsion device having a base coupled to a marine vessel and being configured to propel the marine vessel in water. The method includes moving the propulsor from a deployed position towards a stowed position, where the propulsor is closer to the marine vessel in the stowed position than in the deployed position, and where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in the deployed position. The method further includes rotating the propeller so as to fit between sides of the base coupled to the marine vessel when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A propulsion device for a marine vessel. The propulsion device includes a base configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position. A lock device has a rigid member and is selectively engageable such that the rigid member prevents the propulsor from pivoting away from the stowed position.

Abstract: An oil sump housing for an outboard motor of a marine vessel is provided. The oil sump housing includes an upper mounting flange including multiple upper mounting holes, a lower mounting flange including multiple lower mounting holes, and an inner housing wall and an outer housing wall extending between the upper mounting flange and the lower mounting flange. The inner housing wall defines a transmission mounting cavity, and the inner housing wall and the outer housing wall define an oil containment cavity that at least partially surrounds the transmission mounting cavity.

Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a propulsor configured to generate a thrust force in a body of water; a battery that powers the propulsor; and a supporting frame which supports the marine drive relative to marine vessel. The supporting frame has a monolithic body defining a frame interior, and further has a support leg extending downwardly from the monolithic body and a steering arm extending forwardly from monolithic body. A cowling is fixed to the supporting frame via at least one hidden fastener that extends from the frame interior, through the supporting frame, and into engagement with the cowl body, wherein hidden fastener being accessible during installation.

Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a propulsor configured to generate a thrust force in a body of water, an electric motor that powers the propulsor, a battery having a battery port for outputting battery power, a supporting frame that supports the marine drive relative to marine vessel, the supporting frame having a frame interior that retains the battery, and a motor port in the frame interior, wherein inserting the battery into the frame interior engages the battery port with the motor port so that the battery provides electric power to the electric motor. A removable cover is provided on the motor port.

Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a propulsor configured to generate a thrust force in a body of water, an electric motor which powers the propulsor, a battery having a battery port for outputting battery power, a supporting frame which supports the marine drive relative to marine vessel, the supporting frame having a frame interior which retains the batter, and a cowling on the supporting frame. The cowling has a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion which is movable relative to the first cowl portion into a closed position enclosing the supporting frame and the battery in a cowling interior and alternately into an open position providing access to the cowling interior enabling insertion and removal of the battery.

Abstract: A marine drive has a supporting frame for coupling the marine drive to a marine vessel; a gearcase supporting a propulsor for propelling the marine vessel in water; an extension leg disposed between the supporting frame and the gearcase; and an adapter plate between the supporting frame and the extension leg. A tube is in the extension leg. The tube has a lower end which is coupled to the gearcase and upper end which is coupled to the adapter plate by a compression nut threaded onto the tube, wherein threading the compression nut down on the tube compressively engages the compression nut with the adapter plate, which in turn clamps the extension leg between the supporting frame and the gearcase.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.

Abstract: A method for operating a propulsion device having a propulsor with a propeller, the propulsion device having a base coupled to a marine vessel and being configured to propel the marine vessel in water. The method includes moving the propulsor from a deployed position towards a stowed position, where the propulsor is closer to the marine vessel in the stowed position than in the deployed position, and where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in the deployed position. The method further includes rotating the propeller so as to fit between sides of the base coupled to the marine vessel when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A hull assembly for a pontoon boat includes a hull extending in a longitudinal direction between a front end and a rear end. A first thruster assembly is attached to a first lateral side of the hull. A second thruster assembly is attached to a second lateral side of the hull. The first and second thruster assemblies include respective thrust units that are each movable between a deployed position and a stowed position.

Abstract: A method for making a marine propulsion device. The method includes providing a drive housing that extends between a first end and a second end, whereby drive housing has a cavity that extends inwardly from the second end. The method further includes positioning a conductor within the drive housing, whereby the conductor is configured to conduct power for the marine propulsion device. The method further includes inserting a motor assembly into the cavity and electrically coupling the motor assembly and the conductor while the motor assembly is positioned in the cavity and without entering the cavity via the first end of the drive housing.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.

Abstract: A propulsion device for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft includes an upper segment and a lower segment each extending along a length axis, wherein the upper segment is coupled to the base. A propulsor is coupled to the lower segment, where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water. A shock absorber includes a resilient member that resiliently couples the upper segment and the lower segment together, where the resilient member dampens impact forces received at the lower segment and reduces transfer of the impact forces to the upper segment.

Abstract: A cooling system for an outboard motor of a marine vessel is provided. The cooling system includes an oil sump housing having an inner housing wall and an outer housing wall. The inner housing wall defines a transmission mounting cavity, and the inner housing wall and the outer housing wall defines an oil containment cavity that at least partially surrounds the transmission mounting cavity. The cooling system further includes a first sprayer nozzle and a second sprayer nozzle. Both the first sprayer nozzle and the second sprayer nozzle are coupled to the oil sump housing and configured to spray cooling fluid within the transmission mounting cavity onto an inner surface of the inner housing wall.

Abstract: A propulsion device for marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, the base having sides that extend downwardly from the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor comprises a propeller having a hub with blades extending away therefrom. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position by rotating the propeller. An alignment device aligns the blades of the propeller between the sides of the base when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. A rail is configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A carriage is moveable relative to the rail into first and second positions. A shaft has a first end pivotally coupled to the marine vessel and a second end for coupling to the propulsor. An actuator is configured to pivot the shaft relative to the marine vessel to thereby move the propulsor into and between stowed and deployed positions. A lock is manually operable to fix the carriage in the first position in which the actuator prevents manual pivoting of the shaft and alternatively in the second position in which the shaft is permitted to be manually pivoted.

Abstract: An oil sump housing for an outboard motor of a marine vessel is provided. The oil sump housing includes an upper mounting flange including multiple upper mounting holes, a lower mounting flange including multiple lower mounting holes, and an inner housing wall and an outer housing wall extending between the upper mounting flange and the lower mounting flange. The inner housing wall defines a transmission mounting cavity, and the inner housing wall and the outer housing wall define an oil containment cavity that at least partially surrounds the transmission mounting cavity.