A tiller is for an outboard motor. The tiller comprises a tiller body that is elongated along a tiller axis between a fixed end and a free end. A throttle grip is disposed on the free end. The throttle grip is rotatable through a first (left handed) range of motion from an idle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at idle speed to first (left handed) wide open throttle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at wide open throttle speed and alternately through a second (right handed) range of motion from the idle position to a second (right handed) wide open throttle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at wide open throttle speed.

Embodiments of outboard motors and related systems and components thereof, as well as arrangements of marine vessels implementing same, as well as related methods of operation, use, assembly, and manufacture, and related improvements, are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a cowling system in which at least one divider portion separates an interior region into first and second portion, with the transmission and engine respectively being situated in the first and second portions, respectively. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a water pump system in which a water pump is integrated with the transmission. Further, in at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a fuel vaporization suppression feature, or an oil tank feature that allows for desirable oil drainage from the engine of the outboard motor particularly when the outboard motor is in particular (e.g., storage) positions.

Embodiments of outboard motors and related systems and components thereof, as well as arrangements of marine vessels implementing same, as well as related methods of operation, use, assembly, and manufacture, and related improvements, are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a cowling system in which at least one divider portion separates an interior region into first and second portion, with the transmission and engine respectively being situated in the first and second portions, respectively. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a water pump system in which a water pump is integrated with the transmission. Further, in at least some embodiments, the outboard motor includes a fuel vaporization suppression feature, or an oil tank feature that allows for desirable oil drainage from the engine of the outboard motor particularly when the outboard motor is in particular (e.g., storage) positions.

A method for preserving electrical power in a marine vessel having a marine propulsion device. The method includes operating a variable operating device according to an original setting, measuring an actual system voltage for the marine propulsion device, and comparing the actual system voltage measured to a target system voltage. The method further includes adjusting the operation of the variable operating device from the original setting based on the comparison of the actual system voltage to the target system voltage, where adjusting the operation changes the electrical power usage in the marine propulsion device.

A method for preserving electrical power in a marine vessel having a marine propulsion device. The method includes operating a variable operating device according to an original setting, measuring an actual system voltage for the marine propulsion device, and comparing the actual system voltage measured to a target system voltage. The method further includes adjusting the operation of the variable operating device from the original setting based on the comparison of the actual system voltage to the target system voltage, where adjusting the operation changes the electrical power usage in the marine propulsion device.

A hybrid marine drive unit mounted to a transom. The drive unit includes a drive housing mounted on the transom, a propelling unit rotatable about a vertical axis and mounted to a lower surface of the drive housing, and a transmission with at least a vertical drive shaft located in the drive housing and extending into the propelling unit. The vertical drive shaft is arranged transmit drive torque from at least one of multiple sources of drive torque. The vertical drive shaft is operably connected to a first source of drive torque arranged within the drive housing, and the vertical drive shaft is operably connected to a horizontal output shaft extending into the drive housing through the transom. The horizontal output shaft is connectable to a second source of drive torque.

A steering device includes: a flow passage forming member including a first flow passage connecting to a first chamber and a second flow passage connecting to a second chamber; a movable member movable relative to the flow passage forming member; a seal member configured to seal a space between the movable member and the flow passage forming member when the seal member is in contact with the movable member and the flow passage forming member; an operation part capable of rotating an outboard motor; and a resistance reducing part configured to reduce a flow resistance so that a fluid flows between the first and second flow passages even with a pressure generated in the first chamber or the second chamber due to an operation of the operation part by a load equal to or lower than a predetermined load, when sealing is not made by the seal member.

A steering device includes: a flow passage forming member including a first flow passage connecting to a first chamber and a second flow passage connecting to a second chamber; a movable member movable relative to the flow passage forming member; a seal member configured to seal a space between the movable member and the flow passage forming member when the seal member is in contact with the movable member and the flow passage forming member; an operation part capable of rotating an outboard motor; and a resistance reducing part configured to reduce a flow resistance so that a fluid flows between the first and second flow passages even with a pressure generated in the first chamber or the second chamber due to an operation of the operation part by a load equal to or lower than a predetermined load, when sealing is not made by the seal member.

A steering device includes: a cylinder demarcated into first and second chambers by a piston; a main valve having first and second shuttle chambers; a hydraulic source having first and second discharge ports; a first oil passage configured to connect the first chamber and the first shuttle chamber; a second oil passage configured to connect the second chamber and the second shuttle chamber; a third oil passage configured to connect the first shuttle chamber and the first discharge port; a fourth oil passage configured to connect the second shuttle chamber and the second discharge port; and a tank connected to the main valve via the third oil passage and the fourth oil passage. One of the first shuttle chamber and the second shuttle chamber of the main valve is in an opened state when the hydraulic source is stopped.

A steering device includes: a cylinder demarcated into first and second chambers by a piston; a main valve having first and second shuttle chambers; a hydraulic source having first and second discharge ports; a first oil passage configured to connect the first chamber and the first shuttle chamber; a second oil passage configured to connect the second chamber and the second shuttle chamber; a third oil passage configured to connect the first shuttle chamber and the first discharge port; a fourth oil passage configured to connect the second shuttle chamber and the second discharge port; and a tank connected to the main valve via the third oil passage and the fourth oil passage. One of the first shuttle chamber and the second shuttle chamber of the main valve is in an opened state when the hydraulic source is stopped.