Boat and propulsion system

摘要

A boat and propulsion system especially useful for shallow water operation. A boat, such as a flat bottom fishing boat, is provided with a lowered transom and a platform attached to the transom which extends upwardly at an angle along the sides of the boat to define a well area which receives and drains any backwash. An air cooled internal combustion engine is provided with a straight propeller shaft and propeller attached thereto. A motor plate rigidly attached to the engine may be removably mounted on a swivel-hinge assembly mounted on the platform to allow double axis movement of the engine and propeller in relation to the platform. This provides for a thrusting position with the propeller in the water and a neutral position with the propeller held above the water. A control handle may be removably connected to the motor plate to provide one handed steering and throttle control by the operator. The motor plate is detached from the swivel-hinge assembly to allow removal and transportation of the engine and propeller shaft combination in a trunk of an automobile with the control handle removed. The propeller is approximately 95% weedless as it runs at a water level above that from the bottom of the boat during operation and thus need no skegs or deflector plates. A propeller shaft housing and coupling guard are mounted on the engine and enclose the propeller shaft and coupling of the propeller shaft to the engine drive shaft.