Immobilization device for steering system of marine outboard motors

An immobilization system for marine motors, the system comprising:

• a) a steering system for a marine motor, the steering system comprising a steering shaft and a steering ram;
• and
• b) at least one immobilization device assembled around the steering shaft, each immobilization device comprising:
• i. a first member, the first member having two opposite ends;
• ii. a second member, the second member having two opposite ends;
• iii. a first non-immobilizing fastener directly connecting the first member near one of its ends to the second member near one of its ends;
• and
• iv. a second non-immobilizing fastener directly connecting the first member near the other of its ends to the second member near the other of its ends;
• wherein at least one of the first and second non-immobilizing fastener is a compressing fastener that operates to draw the first member and the second member closer together around the steering shaft, the compressing fastener capable of applying sufficient compressive force to resist the steering ram sliding along the steering shaft.

A method for controlling the movement of a steering system for a marine motor, the steering system having a steering shaft and a steering ram, the method comprising:

• a) placing a first immobilization device around the steering shaft on one side of the steering ram, wherein the first immobilization device comprises:
• a first member, the first member having two opposite ends;
• a second member, the second member having two opposite ends;
• a first non-immobilizing fastener directly connecting the first member near one of its ends to the second member near one of its ends;
• and
• a second non-immobilizing fastener directly connecting the first member near the other of its ends to the second member near the other of its ends, wherein at least one of the first and second non-immobilizing fastener is a compressing fastener;
• b) positioning the first immobilization device near the first end of the steering ram;
• and
• c) tightening the compressing fastener such that the first immobilization device compresses around the steering shaft and resists the steering ram from sliding along the steering shaft.