The hood of an outboard motor is covered by a protective cover of a transparent plastics material which is self-supporting and resistant to UV degradation. The sheet forming the cover is molded to follow substantially exactly the contours of the hood so as to lie substantially wholly in contact therewith during use. The hood includes openings including a handle and other openings and the cover is molded with the same shape to follow the openings in the hood. The cover is attached underneath a resilient rubber rim at a bottom of the hood and is also attached to the hood by pinching between the hood and a separate handle insert.