An
outboard motor is a
propulsion system for
boats, consisting of a self-contained unit that includes engine,
gearbox and
propeller or
jet drive, designed to be affixed to the outside of the
transom. They are the most common motorized method of propelling small watercraft. As well as providing propulsion, outboards provide steering control, as they are designed to pivot over their mountings and thus control the direction of thrust. The
skeg also acts as a
rudder when the engine is not running. Unlike
inboard motors, outboard motors can be easily removed for storage or repairs.