Marine Outboard Brands & Manuals Directory

An outboard motor is a propulsion system for boats, commonly used to propel watercraft through the water. They consist of a self-contained unit that includes an engine, lower unit gearbox, and propeller or jet drive. Outboard motors are designed to be attached to the transom of boats and include a built in fuel tank, or remote fuel tank resting inside the boat.

Outboard motors come with all kids of variables including the type of fuel used (Gas, Diesel, Propane, Electric), their firing cycle (2-Cycle or 4-Stroke) their method of propulsion (Propeller and Jet-drive), their shaft length (Short, Long, Extra-Long, Extra-Extra Long), and their size (Portable, Midrange, High-Performance) which classifies them according to intended uses.

Prop drive is generally going to be the higher performance type of propulsion and are available with different configurations including single prop, dual prop and counter rotating props. On the other hand, jet drives have their own set of advantages being ideal for shallow waters, and are much more user friendly when swimming around the back of a boat ie. less chance of someone getting injured.

Outboard Components

Powerhead: Engine provides power for propulsion.
Shaft: Attaching powerhead to gearbox based on transom height
Gearbox: Transmits power from the engine to the propeller or jet drive
Propeller or Jet Drive: Generates thrust to move the boat through water
Skeg: Acts as a rudder to help control direction boat is moving
Mount: Easily attach and detach outboard to transom, tilt, and rotate to steer

Tilting: allows outboard trim for performance, and avoiding bottom contact in shallow water