Patent ID: 6899575

Claim:
A marine propulsion system, comprising: a water passage having an inlet opening disposable in fluid communication with a body of water in which said marine propulsion system is operated and an outlet opening from which water can be expelled to provide a propulsive force for a marine vessel; an impeller connectable in torque transmitting association with an output shaft of an engine, said impeller being disposed within said water passage between said inlet opening and said outlet opening; a water pump having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, said inlet conduit being disposable in fluid communication with said body of water in which said marine propulsion system is operated, said outlet conduit being connectable in fluid communication with a cooling system of said engine; and a clutch connectable in torque transmitting association between said impeller and said output shaft of said engine said clutch being configured to disconnect said impeller from torque transmitting relation with said output shaft of said engine.