Propeller drive sleeve

In a marine drive comprising a propeller with a hub, and an axially extending propeller shaft, a shock absorbing drive sleeve mounting said propeller hub to said propeller shaft and comprising an inner diameter portion keyed to and engaging said propeller shaft in driven relation, a first outer diameter portion radially aligned with said inner diameter portion, a second outer diameter portion axially spaced from said inner diameter portion and said first outer diameter portion and keyed to and engaging said propeller hub in driving relation, wherein said drive sleeve and said propeller hub are tapered relative to each other such that said second outer diameter portion snugly engages said propeller hub, and said first outer diameter portion may at least partially rotate relative to said propeller hub in response to rotation of said propeller shaft drivingly engaging said inner diameter portion, such that when said propeller strikes an object, the shock is absorbed by torsional twisting of said drive sleeve wherein said inner diameter portion and said first outer diameter portion continue to rotate to a further rotated position than said second outer diameter portion, and wherein said inner diameter portion includes at least one shearable tooth keyed to and engaging said propeller shaft in driven relation, and said inner diameter portion and said first outer diameter portion rotate to said further rotated position relative to said second outer diameter portion, whereafter said tooth shears.