Cover for a boat motor

Abstract

A cover for a boat motor is provided. The cover is for a boat motor of the type having an upper portion having a housing for containing an engine and a lower portion having a cavitation plate, a propeller for providing propulsion, and a skeg for providing directional stability under propulsion. The cover includes a first panel and a second panel. Each panel has a shape that generally approximates the lower portion. A first fastener is carried on a substantial length of a periphery of the first panel. A second fastener is carried on a substantial length of a periphery of the second panel and is mutually engageable with the first fastener. The first and second panel are positioned on opposing sides of the lower portion and fastened to each other by the first and second fasteners to form an enclosure for covering the lower portion of the boat motor.

1 . A cover for a boat motor of the type having an upper portion comprising a housing for containing an engine and a lower portion comprising a laterally extending cavitation plate, a propeller for providing propulsion, and a skeg for providing directional stability under propulsion, the cover comprising:
 a first panel and a second panel, each panel having a shape that generally approximates a shape of the lower portion;   a first fastener carried on a substantial length of a periphery of the first panel; and   a second fastener carried on a substantial length of a periphery of the second panel and being mutually engageable with the first fastener, wherein the first and second panel are positioned on opposing sides of the lower portion and fastened to each other by the first and second fasteners to form an enclosure for covering the lower portion of the boat motor.   
     
     
         2 . The cover according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second panel defines at least one drainage aperture for permitting fluid drainage from the cover. 
     
     
         3 . The cover according to  claim 1 , further including a first strap assembly extending from an upward facing portion of each of the first panel and the second panel and that is configured to extend upon and engage the housing of the upper portion of the boat motor. 
     
     
         4 . The cover according to  claim 3 , further including a second strap assembly extending from a rearward facing portion of each of the first panel and the second panel and that is configured to extend upon and engage the boat motor at a position defined between the cavitation plate and the propeller. 
     
     
         5 . The cover according to  claim 4 , further including a third strap assembly extending from a rearward facing portion of each of the first panel and the second panel and that is configured to extend upon and engage the boat motor at a position defined between the cavitation plate and the housing of the upper portion. 
     
     
         6 . The cover according to  claim 1 , further including a flap extending from a rearward facing portion of the first panel and that is configured to cover the first and second fasteners and engage the second panel. 
     
     
         7 . The cover according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second panels defines an increased thickness area for providing support to an area in proximity to the propeller and cavitation plate when the cover is installed on the lower portion of the boat motor. 
     
     
         8 . The cover according to  claim 1 , further including a third panel interconnecting the first and second panels. 
     
     
         9 . A cover for a boat motor of the type having an upper portion comprising a housing for containing an engine and a lower portion comprising a laterally extending cavitation plate, a propeller for providing propulsion, and a skeg for providing directional stability under propulsion, the cover comprising:
 a first panel and a second panel, each of the first and second panels having a shape that generally approximates a shape of the lower portion of the boat motor and being interconnected by a third panel extending from a frontward facing portion of each of the first and second panels;   a first zipper track carried on a substantial length of a periphery of the first panel;   a second zipper track carried on a substantial length of a periphery of the second panel and being mutually engageable with the first zipper to form a zipper assembly, wherein the first and second panel are positioned on opposing sides of the lower portion and fastened to each other by the zipper assembly to form an enclosure for covering the lower portion of the boat motor; and   a first strap assembly extending from an upward facing portion of each of the first panel and the second panel and configured to extend upon and engage the housing of the upper portion of the boat motor.   
     
     
         10 . The cover according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first or second panel defines at least one drainage aperture for permitting fluid drainage from the cover. 
     
     
         11 . The cover according to  claim 9 , further including a second strap assembly extending from a rearward facing portion of each of the first panel and the second panel and configured to extend upon and engage the boat motor at a position defined between the cavitation plate and the propeller. 
     
     
         12 . The cover according to  claim 11 , further including a third strap assembly extending from a rearward facing portion of each of the first panel and the second panel and configured to extend upon and engage the boat motor at a position defined between the cavitation plate and the housing of the upper portion. 
     
     
         13 . The cover according to  claim 9 , further including a flap extending from a rearward facing portion of the first panel and configured to cover the first and second fasteners and engage the second panel. 
     
     
         14 . The cover according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second panels defines an increased thickness area for providing support to an area in proximity to the propeller and cavitation plate when the cover is installed on the lower portion of the boat motor. 
     
     
         15 . A method for covering a boat motor of the type having an upper portion comprising a housing for containing an engine and a lower portion comprising a laterally extending cavitation plate, a propeller for providing propulsion, and a skeg for providing directional stability under propulsion, the method comprising:
 providing a cover having a first panel and a second panel, each of the first and second panels having a shape that generally approximates a shape of the lower portion of the boat motor;   placing each of the first and second panels on opposing surfaces of the lower portion of the boat motor; and   fastening the first panel to the second panel to form an enclosure for covering the lower portion of the boat motor.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein during the step of fastening the first panel to the second panel, each of the first and second panels includes a mutually engageable zipper track on a substantial length thereof for fastening the first panel to the second panel. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising providing a first strap assembly that extends from an upwards facing portion of each of the first and second panels and placing the first strap assembly into engagement with the upper portion of the engine. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising providing a second strap assembly that extends from a rearward facing portion of each of the first and second panels and placing the second strap assembly into engagement with the boat motor at a position defined between the cavitation plate and the propeller. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising providing a third strap assembly that extends from a rearward facing portion of each of the first and second panels and placing the third strap assembly into engagement with the boat motor at a position defined between the cavitation plate and the housing of the upper portion of the boat motor.