Marine propeller fish line and weed cutter

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit including a gear case including a hollow interior having at the rearward end thereof an inwardly extending inner circular surface defining an opening through which exhaust gases and engine cooling water are discharged from the lower unit, a propeller shaft rotatably journalled in the gear case and including a portion extending rearwardly of the gear case, a propeller including an inner part mounted on the propeller shaft rearward portion for common rotation of the inner part with the propeller shaft, an outer part having an outer circular surface with a diameter materially less than the diameter of the inner circular surface of the gear case, a blade extending radially outwardly from the outer part, and a resilient cushion connecting the inner and outer parts, and a thrust washer carried by the propeller shaft in forward thrust transmitting engagement therewith and in forward thrust receiving engagement with the propeller outer part, and a fish line and weed cutter extending from the thrust washer into the area between the inner circular surface of the gear case and the outer circular surface of the outer part of the propeller for cutting fish lines and weeds. Also disclosed herein is the provision on a propeller blade of a leading edge having therein a forwardly open slot, and a cutter fixedly mounted on the lower unit and extending rearwardly for passage through the slot so as to provide a shearing action in response to rotation of the propeller.