Patent ID: 6966806

Claim:
A marine propulsion device, comprising: a first portion of a housing structure which is at least partially submerged when said marine propulsion device is in operation; a drive shaft disposed within said first portion; a propeller shaft disposed within said first portion and connected in torque transmitting relation with said drive shaft; and a second portion of said housing structure which is at least partially submerged when said marine propulsion device is in operation, said second portion being removably attachable to said first portion said first portion comprising a first mating surface, said second portion comprising a second mating surface, said first and second mating surfaces being disposed in contact with each other when said second portion is attached to said first portion, said second portion comprising a fluid conduit extending through an exposed surface of said second portion and through said second mating surface, said exposed surface of said second portion extending in a forward direction from said first portion when said marine propulsion device is in operation, said first conduit being disposed in fluid communication with a first recess formed in said exposed surface of said second portion, a fastener being inserted within said first recess and through said second portion to attach said first and second portions together.