Marine propulsion unit
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.
1. A marine propulsion transfer unit comprising:
driveshaft housing for extending the driveline of an existing outboard motor;
a marine propulsion transfer unit driveline comprising an adapter for axially coupling to a horizontal output shaft of an existing outboard motor driveline, a
misalignment coupling, and an output shaft adapted to receive a propeller;
the marine propulsion transfer unit driveline being retained by the driveshaft housing; and
at least one attachment to connect the driveshaft housing to the existing outboard motor and extend the existing outboard motor driveline.
2. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising an upper support attached to the driveshaft housing.
3. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 2 , wherein the upper support is an upper support fin.
4. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising at least one stabilizer protruding from the driveshaft housing on a generally horizontal plane while in use.
5. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 4 , wherein the at least one stabilizer comprises an upper stabilizer assembly and a lower stabilizer assembly.
6. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising a sealed driveline section.
7. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising an open driveline section.
8. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising an open driveline section having discharge ports.
9. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising a front guard assembly to protect the marine propulsion transfer unit when mounted to an existing outboard motor.
10. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising a propeller.
11. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising a cooling structure.
12. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , wherein the marine propulsion transfer further comprises a sacrificial cushion hub.
13. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising a torque compensating trim tab.
14. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 13 , wherein the torque compensating trim tab is adjustable along a thrust vector of the marine propulsion transfer unit.
15. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 , further comprising a garden hose fitting attached to the marine propulsion transfer unit driveline for cleanout of the marine propulsion transfer unit after use.
16. A marine propulsion unit comprising:
an outboard motor a driveline with a horizontal output shaft;
a driveshaft housing for extending the driveline of the outboard motor;
a marine propulsion transfer unit driveline comprising an adapter for axially coupling to the horizontal output shaft of the outboard motor driveline, a misalignment coupling, and an output shaft adapted to receive a propeller;
the marine propulsion transfer unit driveline being retained by the driveshaft housing; and
at least one attachment to connect the driveshaft housing to the outboard motor.
17. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 16 , further comprising a propeller mounted to the output shaft of the marine propulsion transfer unit driveline.
18. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 16 , further comprising a closed loop cooling system.
19. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 18 , further comprising a cooling structure attached to the marine propulsion transfer unit and in fluid communication with the closed loop cooling system.
20. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 18 , further comprising a mechanical pump to provide fluid circulation in the closed loop cooling system.
21. The marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 18 , further comprising a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the closed loop cooling system, wherein the heat exchanger is mounted within a marine vessel.
22. A kit for converting an existing outboard motor to an outboard motor for shallow obstructed water operation, the kit comprising:
the marine propulsion transfer unit of claim 1 ; and
a mount for shallow obstructed water operation of the marine propulsion transfer unit, the mount comprising a transom mount, an outboard motor mount plate slidably engaged with the transom mount to vertically raise and lower an outboard motor, a submerged obstruction binge assembly, and a reverse lockout component.
23. A marine propulsion unit comprising:
an outboard motor having a driveline with a horizontal output shaft;
a mount for shallow obstructed water operation of the marine propulsion transfer unit, the mount comprising a transom mount, an outboard motor mount plate slidably engaged with the transom mount to vertically raise and lower an outboard motor, a submerged obstruction hinge assembly, and a reverse lockout component;
a driveshaft housing for extending the driveline of the outboard motor;
a marine propulsion transfer unit driveline comprising an adapter for axially coupling to the horizontal output shaft of the outboard motor driveline, misalignment coupling, and an output shaft adapted to receive a propeller;
the marine propulsion transfer unit driveline being retained by the driveshaft housing; and at least one attachment to connect the driveshaft housing to the outboard motor.