Editing Outboard motor (section)

==General use==
[[File:Motorboat Zanzibar.jpg|thumb|An open seagoing boat with an outboard motor attached]]

===Large outboards===
Large outboards are affixed to the transom using clamps and are either tiller steered or controlled from the helm. Generally motors of 100&nbsp;hp plus are linked to controls at the helm.  These range from 2-, 3-, and 4-cylinder models generating {{convert|15|to|135|hp}} suitable for hulls up to {{convert|17|ft|m}} in length to powerful V6 and V8 cylinder blocks rated up to {{convert|627|hp|abbr=on}}.,<ref name=SEVENMARINE557HP>{{cite web| title =Seven-Marine.com: "Seven Marine's 627 Horsepower V-8 Supercharged Outboard."|url=https://www.seven-marine.com/motors/ | access-date = 10 Oct 2019}}</ref> with sufficient power to be used on boats of {{convert|37|ft|m}} or longer.

===Portable===
Small outboard motors, up to {{convert|15|hp}} or so, are easily portable. They are affixed to the boat via clamps and thus easily moved from boat to boat. These motors typically use a manual [[start system]], with [[throttle]] and gearshift controls mounted on the body of the motor, and a [[tiller]] for steering. The smallest of these weigh as little as {{convert|12|kg}}, have integral fuel tanks, and provide sufficient power to move a small dinghy at around {{convert|8|kn|km/h mph}}
This type of motor is typically used:
* to power small craft such as [[jon boats]], [[dinghies]], [[canoes]], etc
* to provide auxiliary power for [[sailboats]]
* for [[Trolling (fishing)|trolling]] aboard larger craft, as small outboards are typically more efficient at trolling speeds. In this application, the motor is frequently installed on the transom alongside and connected to the primary outboard to enable helm steering. In addition many small motor manufacturers have begun offering variants with power trim/tilt and electric starting functions so that they may be completely controlled remotely

===Electric-powered===
'''Electric outboard motors''' are self-contained propulsory units for [[boat]]s, first invented in 1973 by Morton Ray of Ray Electric Outboards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rayeo.com/index.php/about-us/ |title=Ray Electric Outboard :: About Us |website=www.rayeo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313140649/http://www.rayeo.com/index.php/about-us |archive-date=2017-03-13}}</ref> These are not to be confused with [[trolling motor]]s, which are not designed as a primary source of power. Most electric outboard motors have 0.5- to 4-[[watt|kilowatt]] [[direct-current]] (DC) [[electric motor]]s, operated at 12 to 60 volts DC. Recently developed outboard motors are powered with an [[alternating current]] (AC) or DC electric motor in the power head like a conventional [[petrol engine]]. With this setup, a motor can produce 10&nbsp;kW output or more and is able to replace a petrol engine of 15 [[Horsepower|HP]] or more. The advantage of the '''induction''' or '''asynchronous motor''' is the power transfer to the rotor by means of [[electromagnetic induction]]. As these engines do not use [[permanent magnet]]s, they require less maintenance and develop more [[torque]] at lower propeller speeds.

===Pump-jet===
[[Pump-jet]] propulsion is available as an option on most outboard motors. Although less efficient than an open propeller, they are particularly useful in applications where the ability to operate in very shallow water is important. They also eliminate the laceration dangers of an open propeller.

=== Propane ===
Propane outboard motors are available from several manufacturers. These products have several advantages such as lower emissions, absence of ethanol-related issues, and no need for choke once the system is pressurized.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/lehr-propane-outboard-engine-review-2915368|title=Is the Lehr Propane Outboard Engine Right for Your Boat?|work=ThoughtCo|access-date=2017-05-27}}</ref> Lehr is regarded as the first manufacturer to have brought a propane-powered outboard motor to market by ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' and other boating publications.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/g969/the-top-10-tech-breakthroughs-of-2012/?slide=8 |last=Arndt |first=Rachel |date=1 October 2012|website=popularmechanics.com |title= The Top 10 Tech Breakthroughs of 2012: Lehr Propane-Powered Outboard Engine|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nwyachting.com/2018/04/lehr-runnin-clean-and-lean/ |last=Moore |first=Evin |date=16 April 2016|website=nwyachting.com|title= Lehr: Runnin' Clean And Lean|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.soundingsonline.com/news/propane-outboards-will-they-catch-on |last=Loibner |first=Dieter |date=17 June 2017|newspaper=Soundings Online|title= LehrPropane outboards: Will they catch on?|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.boats.com/on-the-water/the-outboard-expert-tohatsu-propane-outboard-engine/8 |last=Plueddeman |first=Charles  |date=3 May 2017|website=boats.com |title= The Outboard Expert: Tohatsu Propane Outboard Engine|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref>