Trimmable Pod Drive

A trimmable pod drive assembly configured for use as part of a marine vessel having a vessel bottom, the trimmable pod drive assembly comprising:

• a pod drive unit having a gear case assembly coupled to a steering unit, wherein the gear case assembly is positioned substantially below the vessel bottom and the steering unit is positioned substantially above the vessel bottom, and wherein the steering assembly includes a steering axis for rotation of the gear case assembly thereabout;
• a propeller secured to a propeller driveshaft, the propeller driveshaft extending from the gear case assembly along a propeller centerline and providing a thrust vector that extends along the propeller centerline, wherein the propeller centerline is substantially perpendicular to the steering axis;
• and
• one or more actuators at least indirectly coupling the pod drive unit to the vessel in a manner such that actuation of the one or more actuators causes a rotation of the pod drive unit including both the gear case assembly and the steering unit so as to adjust the thrust vector about a trim axis.

A method of trimming a pod drive unit of a marine vessel comprising:

• providing a pod drive unit that extends through a vessel bottom substantially along a steering axis, the pod drive unit including each of a steering unit, a transmission assembly secured to the steering unit, and a gear case assembly rotatably coupled to the steering unit;
• pivotably securing the pod drive unit at least indirectly to the vessel so that the pod drive unit is capable of being rotated about a trim axis substantially perpendicular to the steering axis;
• and
• actuating one or more actuators at least indirectly linking the vessel with the pod drive unit so as to cause a rotation of the pod drive unit about a trim axis to perform a trim adjustment.