Wakeboat engine hydraulic pump mounting apparatus and methods

1. A hydraulic pump-accessory assembly for marine engine, the assembly comprising:

a pulley or gear of an accessory of the marine engine, the pulley or gear configured to engage a drive belt or chain of the marine engine; and

a hydraulic pump operatively coupled to and driven by the pulley or gear of the accessory.

2. The hydraulic pump-accessory assembly of claim 1 wherein the accessory is a tensioner and the pulley or gear of the accessory is biased against the drive belt or chain by a tension spring.

3. The hydraulic pump-accessory assembly of claim 2 further comprising a tension arm operatively engaging the tension spring and supporting both the pulley or gear and the hydraulic pump.

4. The hydraulic pump-accessory assembly of claim 2 further comprising a tension arm supporting the pulley or gear, and wherein the tensioned arm is aligned between the hydraulic pump and the pulley or gear.

5. The hydraulic pump-accessory assembly of claim 2 further comprising a tension arm supporting the pulley or gear, and wherein the pulley or gear is aligned between the hydraulic pump and the tension arm.

6. The hydraulic pump-accessory assembly of claim 1 further comprising flexible hoses coupled to the hydraulic pump.

7. The hydraulic pump-accessory assembly of claim 1 wherein the accessory is at least one of a tensioner, a water pump, a compressor, and/or an alternator.

8. A marine engine comprising:

an engine powered pulley or gear operably engaging a belt or chain to convey power to one or more accessories;

an accessory pulley or gear operably engaged by the belt or chain; and

a hydraulic pump coupled to and driven by the accessory pulley or gear, the hydraulic pump receiving power from the belt or chain.

9. The marine engine of claim 8 wherein the marine engine is operably engaged within a wakeboat.

10. The marine engine of claim 9 further comprising a hydraulic motor operably engaging the hydraulic pump.

11. The marine engine of claim 10 further comprising a ballast pump operably engaging the hydraulic motor.

12. The marine engine of claim 11 further comprising one or more ballast tanks operably engaged with the ballast pump.

13. The marine engine of claim 8 wherein the accessory is at least one of a tensioner, an alternator, a compressor, and/or a water pump.

14. The marine engine of claim 8 wherein the hydraulic pump shares the pulley or gear of the accessory.

15. A method for modifying a marine engine, the method comprising:

operatively engaging a hydraulic pump to a pulley or gear of an accessory of the marine engine, the accessory being engaged with a belt or chain driven by the marine engine; and

using the pulley or gear of the accessory to drive the hydraulic pump.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the marine engine is operably engaged within a wakeboat.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the accessory is at least one of a tensioner, a water pump, a compressor, and/or an alternator.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the operably engaging comprises coupling the hydraulic pump to the pulley or gear of the accessory.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the coupling comprises sharing the pulley or gear between the accessory and the hydraulic pump.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the accessory is a tensioner operably mounted to the engine via a mounting bracket operably engaged with a tension spring to bias against the belt or chain to remove slack, and wherein the engaging comprises mounting the hydraulic pump to the mounting bracket.