Outboard motor brace

Abstract

The apparatus includes a pin, a pair of plates and a brace. The pin, in use, is received by one of the pairs of trim holes of an outboard engine mounting bracket. The pair of plates, in use, is secured to the main assembly of the outboard motor using the other of the pairs of holes. The brace is adapted, when the brace and the main assembly are operatively positioned and when the lower unit of the outboard motor is locked against movement away from the transom, to be gripped between the plates and the pin, to restrain the main assembly against said pivotal movement.

1 . Apparatus for use with a boat having an outboard motor and a transom, the outboard motor being of the type having:
 a engine mounting bracket assembly including a portion gripping the transom and a portion defining a plurality of pairs of trim holes;   a steering post pivotally mounted to the engine mounting bracket assembly;   a main assembly including: a powerhead containing an engine; a midsection extending from the powerhead; a lower unit extending from the powerhead;   and a steering post bearing bracket disposed proximal to the junction of the midsection and lower unit, the steering post bearing bracket: defining a bore through which the steering post extends, thereby to permit rotational movement of the main assembly about the steering post; defining two pairs of bolt holes, one of the pairs being disposed on the side of the steering post nearest the main assembly, the other of the pairs being disposed on the side of the steering post furthest the main assembly; and for each bolt hole, having a nut and bolt assembly, collectively securing the steering post bearing bracket to the post,   the apparatus comprising:   a pin which, in use, is received by one of the pairs of trim holes;   a pair of plates which, in use, are secured to the main assembly using the other of the pairs of holes; and   a brace which is adapted, when the brace and main assembly are operatively positioned and when the lower unit is locked against movement away from the transom, to be gripped between the plates and the pin, to restrain the main assembly against said pivotal movement.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plates define holes which, in use, communicate with the other of the pair of holes in the engine mounting bracket. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising two threaded rods and four nuts, which, in use, both secure the plate to the main assembly and provide for securement of the steering post bearing bracket to the post. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the brace has a bore; and   further comprising a pivot rod which extends between the plates and through the bore in the brace in use.   
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the brace terminates in a slot which, in use, receives the pin. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  5 ,
 wherein the brace has a pair of bores and a pair of jaws; and   further comprising a plurality of spacers,   thereby to permit use of the apparatus with a variety of boats.