Patent ID: 8708760

Claim:
A trimmable pod drive assembly comprising: a pod drive unit having a transmission assembly secured to a steering unit; a gear case assembly coupled to and rotatable by the steering unit about a steering axis; a propeller rotatable about a propeller driveshaft axis extending through the gear case assembly so as to generate thrust along a thrust vector; and a trim assembly secured to the pod drive unit in a manner allowing for rotation of the pod drive unit about a trim axis, wherein actuation of at least one component of the trim assembly causes movement of the pod drive unit and the thrust vector about the trim axis, wherein the trim assembly includes a mounting plate secured adjacent to a bottom of a vessel, and the pod drive unit is pivotably secured to the mounting plate to provide the trim axis for rotation of the pod drive unit, and wherein the pod drive unit is pivotably secured to an actuator that is positioned above the bottom within the vessel and that is actuatable to provide rotation of the pod drive unit about the trim axis.