Abstract: A multihull watercraft has at least three hulls extending longitudinally along the watercraft. The hulls at least partly define a port side tunnel and a starboard side tunnel therebetween. A port deflection device is configured to engage water in response to the watercraft leaning toward the port side when turning. The port deflection device is laterally aligned with the port side tunnel. A starboard deflection device is configured to engage water in response to the watercraft leaning toward the starboard side when turning. The starboard deflection device is laterally aligned with the starboard side tunnel. Each of the deflection devices includes an angled surface extending downwardly and rearwardly from an upper tunnel surface of a corresponding one of the tunnels. The angled surface is positioned to remain above a water line when the multihull watercraft is at rest on water.

Abstract: A watercraft has a deck; central, left and right pods connected to a bottom of the deck; and a helm assembly disposed on the deck. The central pod is laterally centered relative to the deck. The central pod has a central hull defining a central tunnel, a motor connected to and disposed at least in part in the central hull, and a jet propulsion system disposed at least in part in the tunnel and operatively connected to the motor. The left pod is disposed at a left of the central pod and is laterally spaced from the central pod. The left pod has a left hull that is narrower than the central hull. The right pod is disposed at a right of the central pod and is laterally spaced from the central pod. The right pod has a right hull that is narrower than the central hull.

Abstract: A hull for a watercraft has a port side, a starboard side, and a keel disposed between the port side and the starboard side. Each of the port and starboard sides has a first portion having a first deadrise angle, and a second portion having a second deadrise angle. The first portion is disposed laterally between the second portion and the keel. A first chine is connected to the first portion. The first portion is disposed laterally between the keel and the first chine. A second chine is connected to the second portion. The second portion is disposed laterally between the first chine and the second chine. The second chine is a soft chine. The first chine has a smaller radius of curvature than the second chine.

Abstract: A watercraft has a hull and a deck disposed above the hull. A helm assembly disposed above the deck has a steering column and a handlebar. A pedestal is disposed on the deck at least in part rearwardly of the handlebar. A support structure bears the helm assembly. The support structure surrounds at least in part the steering column. The support structure has at least one rear connection portion connected to the pedestal. The support structure has at least one front connection arm connected to at least one of the deck and the hull forwardly from the at least one rear connection portion. A watercraft with a deck having at least two portions is also presented.

Abstract: A watercraft has a hull having a bow, a deck disposed on the hull, an engine connected to the hull, a propulsion system operatively connected to the engine, a first bow sponson disposed on a starboard side of the bow, and a second bow sponson disposed on a port side of the bow. A sponson suitable for use on a bow of a watercraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sponson for a watercraft has a sponson body having a front end, a rear end, a top edge and a bottom edge, and a vane connected to a side of the sponson body and extending away therefrom. The vane has a front end and a rear end. The front end of the vane is disposed closer to the bottom edge of the sponson than the rear end of the vane. A watercraft having sponsons of this type is also disclosed.

Abstract: A watercraft has a hull having a bow, a deck disposed on the hull, an engine connected to the hull, a propulsion system operatively connected to the engine, a first bow sponson disposed on a starboard side of the bow, and a second bow sponson disposed on a port side of the bow. A sponson suitable for use on a bow of a watercraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A straddle seat has a top portion having a rear portion and a front portion. Two side portions extend downwardly from the top portion. The front portion extends upwardly and forwardly from the rear portion. The front portion is hourglass shaped and has a narrowing. The front portion has a pair of lateral wings extending laterally outwardly above at least part of the two side portions for covering at least in part knees and thighs of a driver. A personal watercraft having such a straddle seat is also described. The personal watercraft has a helm assembly and footrests having middle sections disposed rearwardly of the helm assembly. Front sections extend upwardly and forwardly from the middle sections forming a first angle. Rear sections extend upwardly and rearwardly from the middle sections forming a second angle. The first angle is greater than the second angle.

Abstract: A hull for a watercraft has a port side, a starboard side, and a keel disposed between the port side and the starboard side. Each of the port and starboard sides has a first portion having a first deadrise angle, and a second portion having a second deadrise angle. The first portion is disposed laterally between the second portion and the keel. A first chine is connected to the first portion. The first portion is disposed laterally between the keel and the first chine. A second chine is connected to the second portion. The second portion is disposed laterally between the first chine and the second chine. The second chine is a soft chine. The first chine has a smaller radius of curvature than the second chine.

Abstract: A personal watercraft (PWC) is disclosed that is convertible between a stand-up type watercraft, and at least one of a straddle-type watercraft, a sit-down type watercraft or a kart-type position watercraft. The PWC includes a hull supporting a power source, and a deck, the deck supporting a steering handle support assembly. A kart-type seat assembly is removably supported by the deck, such that the seat assembly can be selectively removed by the user so that the personal watercraft can be operated with and without the kart-type seat assembly.

Abstract: A personal watercraft (PWC) is disclosed that is convertible between a stand-up type watercraft, and at least one of a straddle-type watercraft, a sit-down type watercraft or a kart-type position watercraft. The PWC includes a hull supporting a power source, and a deck, the deck supporting a steering handle support assembly. A kart-type seat assembly is removably supported by the deck, such that the seat assembly can be selectively removed by the user so that the personal watercraft can be operated with and without the kart-type seat assembly.

Abstract: A personal watercraft (PWC) is disclosed that is convertible between a stand-up type watercraft, and at least one of a straddle-type watercraft and a sit-down type watercraft. The PWC includes a hull supporting a power source, and a deck, the deck supporting a steering handle support assembly. A seat assembly is removably supported by the deck, such that the seat assembly can be selectively removed by the user so that the personal watercraft can be operated with and without the seat assembly.

Abstract: Combined herein are the benefits of a flat deck pontoon boat and the speed and versatility of a jet propelled watercraft. The watercraft is equipped with a propulsion source sufficient to move the watercraft at a substantial speed through the water. The seating layout on the deck provides the amenities of an extremely comfortable watercraft capable of seating multiple passengers while providing sufficient storage space for all necessary items for such a voyage. The watercraft is equipped with a substantially flat deck area with an upper bow deck and a lowered recess area which, when filled with water, provides cooling and amusement for the passengers. The watercraft is equipped with a privacy compartment or toilet, a kitchen area, and a double driver seat, which can be rotated from a relaxing position to a driving position. A rear sundeck can be converted into upright seats. Under the kitchen area an ice chest or some other item can be stowed.

Abstract: A position-adjustable steering control assembly for a personal watercraft includes a handlebar pivotally attached to a steering shaft which is operatively supported on the watercraft. The handlebar can be pivotally adjusted about a substantially horizontal axis which is normal to the axis of the steering shaft. The handlebar can be selectively locked into a plurality of angular positions within an angular range of more than 180 degrees, and the angular position of the steering axis of the handlebar will be unchanged regardless of the angular steering positions, which is advantageous, particularly when being used with a watercraft which accommodates more than one riding position of the driver.

Abstract: A watercraft, equipped with a jet drive power source, with improved stability is disclosed. The jet drive power source is configured to produce power along a predetermined direction and form a drive line based upon the predetermined direction. The drive line bisects a plane of the keel at a predetermined angle that is less than about 4 degrees. The drive shaft and the output shaft are not substantially parallel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decomposing a set of complementary color signals that form a color enhanced image into four or five color maps of an image, for storing said four or five color maps on a sheet of black and white film, and for reconstructing color images from the black and white film images. An image that has been color enhanced in selected regions with color added to depict a variable characteristic that is color independent so that changes in that chracteristic can be determined is decomposed into four or five color constituent maps. The decomposition is performed on an image that is presented electronically as three complementary color bytes, or analog equivalents thereof, for each pixel with the value encoded in each byte being the intensity of that complementary color at that pixel of the image. Also disclosed is the storing on black and white film the constituent parts of a composite color image having a plurality of parts, e.g. four or five colors.