Brunswick Corporation

An extension joint device for a marine drive comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder which is telescopically extendable and retractable relative to the first cylinder to adjust a length of the extension joint. Together, the first and second cylinders define a sealed cylindrical cavity which is extended and retracted upon extension and retraction of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder, respectively. an electrical connector extends through the extension joint, the electrical connector having a helical shape in the sealed cylindrical cavity which is extended and compressed upon extension and retraction of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder. A slip ring, through which the electrical connector extends, is configured to permit rotation of a first portion of the electrical connector relative to a second portion of the electrical connector, thereby facilitating compression and extension of the helical shape.

A pontoon boat has a port pontoon, a starboard pontoon, and an inner pontoon located laterally between the port pontoon and the starboard pontoon, wherein each of the port pontoon, the starboard pontoon and the inner pontoon comprises a cylindrical body portion which longitudinally extends between a forward end and a rearward end. The inner pontoon has a rear end portion which longitudinally extends from a frontmost end to a rearmost end, the rear end portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, a width in the lateral direction, and a height in the vertical direction. As viewed in a plane defined by the lateral and vertical axes, the rear end portion gradually transitions along the length from a circular shape to a stadium shape, and the height of the rear end portion remains constant along an entirety of the length.

Apparatuses are for removably supporting a marine drive on a marine vessel. The apparatuses have a transom bracket assembly having a swivel cylinder, a steering bracket assembly having a swivel tube disposed in and steerable relative to the swivel cylinder through a steering range, the steering range being delimited by opposing steering stops, wherein the transom bracket assembly comprises annular mouth configured so that as the swivel tube is inserted into the swivel cylinder, the steering bracket assembly operably engages the annular mouth and is thereby caused to rotate into alignment with the steering range.

An actuation system for moving at least two devices on a marine vessel includes at least three actuators, wherein the at least three actuators include at least one pair of actuators configured to jointly move a first actuated device, a plurality of position sensors configured to generate position information indicating whether each one of the at least three actuators has moved and/or whether the first actuated device has moved, and a controller configured to control each of the at least three actuators, wherein locations of the at least three actuators are initially unknown by the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to automatically determine the location of each of the at least three actuators on the marine vessel based on the position information measured in response to movement commands and, thereafter, control each of the at least three actuators based on their respective location.

A system for controlling steering on a marine vessel includes a steering wheel movable within a fixed rotation range between a first fixed end stop and a second fixed end stop, a steering actuator configured to rotate the steerable component about the steering axis between a first steering limit and a second steering limit, and a controller configured to detect that the steering wheel position is in a first end region adjacent to the first fixed end stop or a second end region adjacent to the second fixed end stop while the steerable component is not at one of the steering limits. The steering actuator is controlled to rotate the steerable component at a fixed rotation rate while the steering wheel position is in the first end region or the second end region so as to move the steerable component toward alignment with the steering wheel position.

An outboard marine drive includes a propulsor configured to generate a thrust force in water, and a monolithic supporting frame which supports the outboard marine drive relative to the marine vessel. The monolithic supporting frame includes a body, a support leg extending downwardly from the body and configured to support a propulsor housing for the propulsor, and a steering arm extending forwardly from the body for steering of the outboard marine drive. A power entry module coupled to the monolithic supporting frame, the power entry module being configured to regulate/control current and voltage for powering the propulsor. A service tray is removably coupled to the top of the monolithic supporting frame, the service tray supporting at least one serviceable component of the outboard marine drive.

A stern drive for a marine vessel, the stern drive having a drive assembly configured to generate a thrust force in water, a powerhead configured to power the drive assembly, and a mounting assembly configured to couple the drive assembly to the transom outside of the marine vessel and to suspend the powerhead on the transom inside of the marine vessel. The mounting assembly has a vibration dampening member which isolates vibrations of the drive assembly and the powerhead relative to the transom. The powerhead, and the mounting assembly are installed on the marine vessel as a single component from outside the transom.

A cowling for a marine drive has a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion which together define a cowling interior, a hinge device that pivotably couples the first cowl portion and second cowl portion together, the hinge device comprising a hinge bracket and a base bracket, the hinge bracket being configured so that first cowl portion is pivotable relative to the second cowl portion about the hinge axis into and between an open cowl position exposing the cowling interior and a closed cowl position enclosing the cowling interior; and a detent mechanism which retains the first cowl portion in the open cowl position.

A swim platform assembly is for a boat and comprises a deck which is pivotable relative to the boat into and between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein in the lowered position the deck extends transversely relative to a sidewall of the boat and provides a platform surface on which a swimmer can stand; and a suspension linkage configured to suspend the deck from the boat, the suspension linkage comprising a pivot bracket which defines an inner pivot axis about which the deck is pivotable into and between the raised and lowered positions.

A stern drive for a marine vessel, the stern drive having a powerhead, a drive assembly configured to support a propulsor for generating a thrust force in water, the propulsor being powered by the powerhead. The drive assembly comprises a driveshaft housing and a gearcase suspended from the driveshaft housing, the gearcase being steerable relative to the driveshaft housing, and a steering actuator configured to steer the gearcase relative to the driveshaft housing.