Large outboard motor for marine vessel application and related methods of making and operating same

A method of operating an outboard motor, the method comprising:

• providing first rotational power from an engine of the outboard motor at a first shaft extending aftward from the engine;
• causing second rotational power including at least some of the first rotational power to be provided to a first location below the engine at least in part by way of a first transmission device;
• controlling a second transmission device to achieve one of a forward, neutral, and reverse state;
• causing third rotational power including at least some of the second rotational power to be provided to a second location below the first location at least in part by way of the second transmission device, wherein when the second transmission device is controlled to achieve the forward state then the communicated third rotational power is in a first rotational direction, and when the second transmission device is controlled to achieve the reverse state then the communicated third rotational power is in a second rotational direction, wherein the third rotational power is communicated from the second transmission device to the third transmission device via an additional shaft that is substantially vertical in orientation and the third transmission device is entirely below the second transmission device;
• and
• causing fourth rotational power including at least some of the third rotational power to be provided to a propeller supported in relation to a gear casing of the outboard engine.

An outboard motor configured to be mounted on a marine vessel, the outboard motor comprising:

• a housing including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein an output shaft extends outward from the lower portion upon which a propeller is supported;
• an engine configured to provide first rotational power at a first shaft extending outward from the engine, the engine being substantially situated within the housing;
• a first transmission device that is in communication with the first shaft so as to receive the first rotational power and configured to cause second rotational power including at least some of the first rotational power to be communicated to a first location beneath the engine;
• a second transmission device configured to receive the second rotational power and to cause third rotational power including at least some of the second rotational power to be communicated to a second location beneath the first location within or proximate to the lower portion, wherein the second transmission device is capable of being controlled to achieve a forward, a neutral, and a reverse state, wherein in the forward state the second transmission device is configured to communicate the third rotational power in a first rotational direction, and in the reverse state the second transmission device is configured to communicate the third rotational power in a second rotational direction;
• and
• a third transmission device positioned within or proximate to the lower portion that is configured to receive the third rotational power and cause at least some at least some of the third rotational power to be provided to the output shaft, wherein the third rotational power is communicated from the second transmission device to the third transmission device via an additional shaft that is substantially vertical in orientation.