Marine propulsion system

A marine propulsion transmission for a fixed pitch propeller, comprising, a transmission housing, a power input shaft, a reversibly driven propeller shaft and a layshaft journalled in said housing, a torque converter of the single stage and fixed housing type and having an operative and an inoperative condition and mounted on said layshaft for driving the latter, gear means connected between said power input shaft and said converter for driving said converter when the latter is in the operative condition, a gear connection between said layshaft and said propeller shaft whereby said converter directly drives said propeller shaft in a reverse direction when said converter is in said operative condition, a planetary gear system including planetary gears driven by said power input shaft, said planetary gear system being inoperative to transmit any power when said torque converter is in operative condition, said planetary gear system connected with said propeller shaft for driving the latter in a forward direction, a disengageable friction type brake connected between said housing and said planetary gear system, said brake being disengaged when said torque converter is in said operative condition and driving said propeller shaft in said reverse direction, said brake being engaged to thereby anchor a portion of said planetary gear system to said housing and to permit said planetary gear system to drive said propeller shaft in a forward direction.