Patent ID: 7481688

Claim:
A propulsion unit configured to be connected to a transom plate of a hull, the propulsion unit comprising a stern drive or an outboard motor configured to be supported by a transom plate of a boat, the propulsion unit also including a propeller configured to produce thrust, a power device configured to drive the propeller, a power transmission mechanism configured to transmit power from the power device to the propeller, a cavitation plate disposed above the propeller and comprising at least a rearward part, and a braking device configured to exert a generally upward force on the propulsion unit, wherein the braking device comprises a resistance member forming part of the cavitation plate provided on the propulsion unit forward of the rearward part and extending along left and right sides of the propulsion unit, a resistance member opening/closing mechanism configured to open and close the resistance member such that, in the open position, the resistance member acts directly on the water to guide the water to flow downwardly relative to a flow of water past the propulsion unit during forward movement through water, and a brake operation device configured to operate the resistance member opening/closing mechanism to open the resistance member during cruising, wherein the rearward part of the cavitation plate comprises a forward edge, the resistance member comprising a rearward edge, the rearward part and the resistance member being arranged such that the rearward and forward edges are aligned when the resistance member is in the closed position.