Marine Drive with Integrated Trim Tab

Abstract

A marine drive and a marine vessel and drive combination have a trim tab with a forward end pivotally mounted to a marine propulsion device.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . A marine vessel and drive combination comprising a marine vessel having a marine drive extending therefrom and having a water-engaging propulsor for propelling said vessel through a body of water, and a trim tab positioned directly above said propulsor.  
     
     
         10 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 9  wherein said vessel has a hull, and at least a portion of said trim tab is positioned directly below said hull.  
     
     
         11 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 10  wherein said trim tab comprises: 
 a forward portion directly below said hull and having a top surface substantially flush against said hull; and    an aft section extending aft from said forward section and aft beyond said hull.    
     
     
         12 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 9  wherein said drive comprises a driveshaft housing extending downwardly from said vessel and steerable about a steering axis, and said trim tab is pivoted at a pivot axis aft of said steering axis.  
     
     
         13 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 12  wherein said vessel has a hull, and said trim tab is pivotally mounted to said drive and not to said hull.  
     
     
         14 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 9  wherein said drive comprises a driveshaft housing extending downwardly from said vessel to a lower gearcase supporting said propulsor, and said trim tab is positioned along an arc intersecting said propulsor and having a center at the junction of said driveshaft housing and said vessel.  
     
     
         15 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 14  wherein said driveshaft housing extends vertically downwardly from said vessel, and said arc lies in a vertical plane.  
     
     
         16 . A marine vessel and drive combination comprising a marine vessel having a marine drive extending therefrom and having a water-engaging propulsor for propelling said vessel through a body of water, said drive comprising a driveshaft housing extending downwardly from said vessel to a lower gearcase supporting said propulsor, and a trim tab positioned along an arc intersecting said gearcase and having a center at the junction of said driveshaft housing and said vessel.  
     
     
         17 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 16  wherein said driveshaft housing is steerable about a steering axis, and said trim tab is pivoted at a pivot axis aft of said steering axis.  
     
     
         18 . A marine vessel and drive combination comprising a marine vessel having a marine drive extending therefrom and having a water-engaging propulsor for propelling said vessel through a body of water, said drive comprising a driveshaft housing extending downwardly from said vessel to a lower gearcase supporting said propulsor, and a plate member having at least a portion extending along and directly below said vessel and positioned along an arc intersecting said gearcase and having a center at the junction of said driveshaft housing and said vessel.  
     
     
         19 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 18  wherein said vessel has a hull, and said plate member has a top surface substantially flush against said hull.  
     
     
         20 . The marine vessel and drive combination according to  claim 18  wherein said driveshaft housing is steerable about a steering axis, and said plate member is a trim tab pivoted at a pivot axis aft of said steering axis.