Abstract: A watercraft has a center part of the aft deck protruding upwardly to form a saddle, and the top of the deck in front of and on both sides of said saddle is formed into a continuous U-shaped stepping surface so that the operator sitting on the saddle can operate the craft with his/her legs stretched forward. Preferably, the lower part of the saddle is formed into an engine compartment so as to collectively arrange an engine, an oil tank, a muffler and other auxiliary parts inside the engine compartment. The fore portion of the hull may be formed into an equipment compartment and a fuel tank compartment, and a hatch cover may be installed over the opening of the equipment compartment so that the opening can be opened and closed by pivoting the cover.