A marine outboard engine includes an engine having a front, back, top and two lateral sides. A cowling, covering the engine at least partially, includes a central support structure fixedly connected to at least one of the engine, a swivel bracket, and an exhaust system. The central support structure extending across at least a portion of the front, top and back of the engine defines at least partially a space through which at least a portion of at least one of its lateral sides is accessible. The space is selectively covered by at least one side panel which is at least partially selectively connected to the central support structure and at least partially disconnectable therefrom to reveal the portion of the at least one of the lateral sides of the engine while the central support structure extends across at least the portion of the front, top and back thereof.