Patent ID: 7473148

Claim:
A boat comprising: a stern; an outboard motor mounted on the stern of the boat; and a propeller operatively connected to the outboard motor; said propeller adapted to propel the boat; said outboard motor comprising: a changeable power source which produces rotational output; a drive unit which transmits the rotational output of the changeable power source to the propeller through a gear mechanism; and an interlock unit which detachably interlocks the changeable power source to the drive unit; wherein: said changeable power source includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, wherein the engine and the electric motor may be operated in combination; said interlock unit having a first interlocking configuration and a second interlocking configuration substantially similar to the first interlocking configuration; said first interlocking configuration of the interlock unit is applied for interlocking the engine to the drive unit; and said second interlocking configuration of the interlock unit is applied for interlocking one of the electric motor and the combination to the drive unit.