A marine propulsion system for marine vessel includes at least one battery configured to power a vessel load, a plurality of marine drives, and a control system. Each of the plurality of marine drives includes an engine, an alternator driven by the engine to charge the battery, and a propulsor selectively driven by the engine to propel the marine vessel. Each of the plurality of marine drives is configured to operate in a propulsion mode in which the engine is operated to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel in a generator mode in which the engine is operated to charge the battery while the marine vessel remains stationary. The control system is configured to select a subset of the plurality of marine drives and then to operate the subset of marine drives in the generator mode to charge the battery while the marine vessel remains stationary.

A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes an engine effectuating rotation of an output shaft, multiple batteries configured to power a marine vessel load, and an alternator having a rotor that is driven into rotation by the output shaft and that outputs a charge current to the batteries. The marine propulsion system further includes a control system configured to operate the engine in a propulsion mode and a generator mode. Upon receiving a generator mode command to start the engine in the generator mode, the control system operates the engine in accordance with a set of generator parameters to charge the batteries while a shift system of the marine propulsion system is locked in a neutral position such that the propulsor cannot be engaged and the marine vessel remains stationary.

A marine propulsion unit is described. The marine propulsion unit allows for shallow, obstructed, or otherwise impeded operation of a vessel through a novel marine propulsion transfer unit that is, or can be, mechanically coupled to an outboard motor or other similar marine motor. A mount for raising and lowering the marine propulsion unit in a generally vertical direction allows for adjustment of operating depth of the marine propulsion unit to accommodate a wide range of operating conditions from shallow and obstructed water to traditional deep water operation.

A flushing system for boat motors that allows for single-handed manipulation to remotely position flushing ears onto the intake vents of an outboard boat motor. A water passage tube provides a source of fresh water when flushing or performing maintenance on the motor of a boat stored on a lift. The flushing ears are positioned on the intake valves and are adjusted to form a seal by a gripping handle. A locking device prevents movement of the ears while flushing the motor and can be released to remove the ears once the flushing is complete.

A battery system for providing electric power to a boat includes a hard deck that includes a plurality of interconnected battery panels and output power connectors. Each of the battery panels includes an array of interconnected battery cells. A connection plate receives recessed edges of adjacent battery panels and interconnect cables connect battery terminals of the adjacent battery panels.

An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

An outboard motor is provided with: an encoder which detects the rotational speed of an engine; a position sensor which detects an operating position of a shift lever; and a state quantity detection unit which detects a state quantity of a shift actuator. A control device of the outboard motor determines whether the state quantity is more than or equal to a stop-initiating threshold value when the operating position has been switched. If the state quantity is more than or equal to the stop-initiating threshold value, the control device implements a stop control to stop ignition and/or fuel injection in the engine.

An outboard motor including an internal combustion engine for propelling a ship is equipped with an air-guiding system using a covering hood surrounding surfaces of the internal combustion engine and auxiliary units. The covering hood is provided with airflow inlet and outlet openings in its interior, and a fan driven by the internal combustion engine influences airflows in the covering hood. An air-guiding system includes channeling devices for partial air flows. First partial air flows are fed as intake air to an engine intake system, and second partial air flows act, with the aid of the fan, on surfaces of the internal combustion engine and the auxiliary units heated by operation of the internal combustion engine. The heated airflows are conveyed by the fan and a third channeling device as exhaust air via an outlet opening in the covering hood outside of the covering hood or into the atmosphere.

A fan is suitable for an air-guiding system of an outboard motor including an internal combustion engine and a covering hood bounding an engine interior space. The engine drives the fan, which is connected to an upright shaft journal projecting beyond an upper side of a housing of the engine. The covering hood has air flow openings, and the fan influences the air flows in the covering hood interior space. A flywheel, fixedly attached to the upright shaft journal, carries a fan wheel of the fan. The fan wheel is set in place from above, and the flywheel carries the fan wheel for conjoint rotation. Airflows enter the interior space via an inlet opening and a first conducting device, and the airflows, under the action of the fan, act upon at least parts of surfaces of the internal combustion engine and the auxiliary units to cool the internal combustion engine.