Methods of making and operating outboard motors

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

• providing an exhaust conduit having a first end that receives exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and a second end that discharges exhaust gas to seawater via a propeller shaft housing outlet;
• providing an idle exhaust relief outlet located vertically higher than the propeller shaft housing outlet on the outboard motor, the idle exhaust relief outlet discharging exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine to atmosphere;
• forming an exhaust conduit opening in the exhaust conduit between the first and the second ends, the exhaust conduit opening discharging exhaust gas to atmosphere via a driveshaft housing of the outboard motor and via both the idle exhaust relief outlet and a driveshaft housing outlet in the driveshaft housing, the driveshaft housing outlet being located vertically between the propeller shaft housing outlet and the idle exhaust relief outlet;
• providing a cooling water pump that pumps cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine, wherein the cooling water collects by gravity in the driveshaft housing;
• and
• selecting a vertical location of the exhaust conduit opening so that the exhaust conduit opening remains immersed in the cooling water in the driveshaft housing at least during operation of the outboard motor in neutral gear and at idle speed.