Abstract: A small boat comprising a helmseat positioned at the center of the forward half of the boat, and a control stick for steering the boat positioned at the front of this helmseat. Since the helmseat is positioned at the center of the forward half of the boat, the driver is located approximately equidistant from the left and right gunwales, which makes it easier to steer the boat. In addition, a control stick is positioned to the front of the helmseat, and, because this control stick can be used to steer the boat and also to change the direction of the boat, the amount of space required to steer the boat is less than that required in a design wherein steering is performed by turning a circular steering wheel, such as with the prior art already described. This is effective particularly for a small boat moving at a high speed.

Abstract: A relatively small water craft having a center of gravity and which when in the water, has a draft line. The craft comprises a hull having a fore portion and an aft portion, the fore portion including an engine compartment and two sides and the aft portion including an operator's platform. One of the two sides has motion-resistance means thereon in the area of the draft line when an operator is absent from the platform. The motion resistance means on the one side produces unbalanced resistances on the two sides, causing the boat to circle when running without an operator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tiltable steering handle unit which can be manually unlocked to adjust its angular position and then automatically locked at a selected angular position, whereby an operator can choose an optimum attitude of the steering unit depending on his physical features or preferences.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hood mounting unit for a watercraft including a hull and a hood, the unit including at least one hinge having first and second hinge elements, the first hinge element being received in a groove formed in the second hinge element and having a pin capable of being received in a through-bore formed in the second hinge element, whereby the hood can easily and simply be mounted on or removed from the hull.