Latching apparatuses for cowls on outboard marine engines

A latching apparatus and cowl for an outboard marine engine, the cowl having a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion which are latched together by the latching apparatus in a closed cowl position and unlatched from each other in an open cowl position, the latching apparatus comprising:

• a retainer on the first cowl portion;
• an actuator device on the second cowl portion;
• and
• a wire that is coupled to the retainer in the closed cowl position and uncoupled from the retainer in the open cowl position;
• wherein the wire is coupled to the actuator device such that actuation of the actuator device causes rotation of the wire;
• and
• wherein in the closed cowl position an end of the wire is coupled to the retainer via a threaded connection, wherein actuation of the actuator device in a first direction rotates the wire and causes the end of the wire to axially translate into engagement with the retainer, and wherein actuation of the actuator device in a second direction rotates the wire and causes the end of the wire to axially translate out of engagement with the retainer.