A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.

A marine propulsion unit includes a stern drive mounted to a transom. The stern drive comprises an upper unit enclosed in a stern drive housing and a lower unit enclosed in a gearbox housing; wherein the gearbox housing contains a gearbox arranged to drive at least one propeller. The propulsion unit further comprises at least two electric motors arranged in the stern drive housing, which electric motors are mounted with vertical output shafts; a planetary gear set arranged between the at least two electric motors and the gearbox, and a vertical shaft that is attached to a ring gear of the planetary gear set at its upper end and is connected to the gearbox at its lower end; wherein the output shaft of each electric motor is connected to a planetary gear arranged in the planetary gear set to drive the ring gear and the vertical shaft connected to the gearbox.

A marine propulsion unit includes a stern drive mounted to a transom. The stern drive comprises an upper unit enclosed in a stern drive housing and a lower unit enclosed in a gearbox housing; wherein the gearbox housing contains a gearbox arranged to drive at least one propeller. The propulsion unit further comprises at least two electric motors arranged in the stern drive housing, which electric motors are mounted with vertical output shafts; a planetary gear set arranged between the at least two electric motors and the gearbox, and a vertical shaft that is attached to a ring gear of the planetary gear set at its upper end and is connected to the gearbox at its lower end; wherein the output shaft of each electric motor is connected to a planetary gear arranged in the planetary gear set to drive the ring gear and the vertical shaft connected to the gearbox.

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.

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.

A motor mount apparatus including a mounting member, a platform member that includes a proximal platform section including a proximal aperture and an indexing member aperture, and a distal platform section configured to facilitate attachment of at least one of a motor or a motor mounting device thereto. The apparatus further includes a wheel member positioned within the proximal aperture, attached to the mounting member to prevent relative rotation therebetween, and including a plurality of indexing recesses. The apparatus further includes an indexing member that can pass through the indexing member aperture and be positioned within an indexing recess of the plurality of indexing recesses and selectively retract to permit rotation of the platform member about the wheel member and be positioned in another index recess of the plurality of indexing recesses.

A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel in a body of water. The marine drive has a motor housing, the motor housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion which together define a motor cavity; an electric motor nested in the first housing portion, the electric motor being configured to cause rotation of an output shaft extending from the first housing portion; and a propulsor coupled to the output shaft so that rotation of the output shaft causes rotation of the propulsor. A vibration isolating joint couples first housing portion to the second housing portion. The vibration isolating joint comprising an isolating connector assembly has an elastomeric member which is clamped between the first housing portion and the second housing portion and being configured to limit transfer of vibrations from the first housing portion to the second housing portion, and a compression limiter which prevents over clamping of the elastomeric member during assembly of the motor housing.

A watercraft includes a hull, an opening extending vertically through the hull, and a support assembly configured to mount a propulsion mechanism to the watercraft. The hull at least partially defines the opening. The support assembly includes a rightward support device attached to the hull, positioned between a forward portion of the opening and a rearward portion of the opening, and at least partially defining a right lateral portion of the opening. The support assembly further includes a leftward support device attached to the hull, positioned between the forward portion of the opening and the rearward portion of the opening, and at least partially defining a left lateral portion of the opening.

A watercraft includes a hull, an opening extending vertically through the hull, and a support assembly configured to mount a propulsion mechanism to the watercraft. The hull at least partially defines the opening. The support assembly includes a rightward support device attached to the hull, positioned between a forward portion of the opening and a rearward portion of the opening, and at least partially defining a right lateral portion of the opening. The support assembly further includes a leftward support device attached to the hull, positioned between the forward portion of the opening and the rearward portion of the opening, and at least partially defining a left lateral portion of the opening.

A trolling motor assembly having improved shock absorption is provided. The trolling motor assembly includes a trolling motor, a first member, a second member, an actuator that is configured to be activated to cause the trolling motor to move between a first position and a second position, and a compliant member connected to the actuator. When the trolling motor is in a first position, the first member dampens shock loading at the actuator or transfers shock loading to a first shock absorber to dampen shock loading. When the trolling motor is in a second position, the second member dampens shock loading at the actuator or transfers shock loading to at least one of the first shock absorber or a second shock absorber to dampen shock loading. The compliant member dampens shock loading to protect the actuator from shock loading as the trolling motor moves between the first and second position.