Structural support system for an outboard motor

An outboard motor, comprising:

• an engine system;
• a drive shaft connected in torque transmitting relation with an output shaft of said engine system;
• three connectors attached to said engine system proximate three engine connection locations;
• and
• a support structure attached to said three connectors proximate three support structure connection locations, said three connectors defining a plane which is within 45 degrees from being perpendicular to said drive shaft, the torsional resonance of said engine system supported by said three connectors being less than or equal to 70.7% of the firing frequency of the combustion chambers of said engine system.

An outboard motor, comprising:

• an engine system;
• a drive shaft connected in torque transmitting relation with an output shaft of said engine system;
• four connectors attached to said engine system proximate four engine connection locations;
• and
• a support structure attached to said three connectors proximate three support structure connection locations, said three connectors defining a plane which is within 45 degrees from being perpendicular to said drive shaft, said support structure being attached to said four connectors proximate four support structure connection locations, said four connectors defining a plane which is generally perpendicular to said drive shaft, a center of gravity of said engine system being located aft of two of said three connectors, said engine system being located forward of two of said three connectors, said center of gravity of said engine system being located on a starboard side of two of said three connectors, said engine system being located on a port side of two of said three connectors.

An outboard motor, comprising:

• an engine system;
• a drive shaft connected in torque transmitting relation with an output shaft of said engine system;
• four connectors attached to said engine system proximate four engine connection locations;
• and
• a support cradle attached to said four connectors proximate four support cradle connection locations, said four connectors defining a plane which is generally perpendicular to said drive shaft, said support cradle surrounding said engine system in said plane.

An outboard motor, comprising:

• an engine system;
• an output shaft connected in torque transmitting relation with said engine system;
• at least three connectors attached to said engine system proximate at least three engine connection locations;
• and
• a support cradle attached to said at least three connectors proximate at least three support cradle connection locations, said at least three connectors defining a plane which is generally perpendicular to said output shaft, said support cradle surrounding said engine system in said plane.