Abstract: A jet propulsion system for propelling a water craft through a body of water. The system includes a housing having a conduit formed therein for the passage of water, an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port has a lower edge which extends at least to the vertical plane defined by the upper edge such that the inlet port faces away from the bottom of the river or lake. An impeller is positioned in the housing between the inlet and outlet ports, and a stator structure is positioned between the impeller and the outlet port. The impeller is rotated by a drive assembly to draw water inwardly through the inlet port, drive the water past the impeller in an axial/rotational flow, and move the water through the outlet port.

Abstract: A liner of the intake casing for a water jet propulsion pump wherein the liner is made of a resilient material and is disposed internally of said casing surrounding the water impeller and is clamped in position by the pump assembly.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for an outboard jet engine utilizes a channel or conduit along the underside of a boat hull in combination with a channel or conduit extension member to guide water to the inlet port of the jet outboard propulsion apparatus, the bottom lip of the inlet port being disposed proximate the extended bottom surface of the underside of the boat hull with the top lip or rim of the inlet port being disposed proximate the extended top surface of the channel of conduit along the hull to permit propulsion and steering of the boat while the boat hull is planing along the surface of water only inches or centimeters above the bed of the lake, river or ocean.