Abstract: A boat includes a hull, a deck, a steering pole, and an information display. An engine is provided in the hull. The deck is mounted on an upper portion of the hull. The steering pole is swingably mounted to the deck via a pivot shaft. The information display is located on the deck in front of the pivot shaft.

Abstract: A snowmobile including a hood, a hood cap connected to the hood, and a door, which together define a storage compartment. An antenna is mounted to an upper portion of the hood cap above a headlight. A main body panel is removably coupled to a chassis of the snowmobile by way of a fastener assembly. A first trim panel is removably coupled to the main body panel. The first trim panel has a first thickness and extends a first distance from a side of the snowmobile. A second trim is configured to be coupled to the main body panel in place of the first trim panel. The second trim panel has a second thickness that is different from the first thickness and extends a second distance from the side of the snowmobile that is different than the first distance.

Abstract: A method and a system are described for operating a bathing unit system to provide swim-in-place functionality to a swimmer. A communication link is established between the bathing unit system and an auxiliary device worn by or implanted in the body of the swimmer. A signal conveying information associated with the swimmer and originating from the auxiliary device is received. Control signals for controlling operational settings associated with a propulsion assembly of the bathing unit system are derived at least in part by processing the information conveyed by the signal originating from the auxiliary device. The control signals are then released to control the operational settings associated with the propulsion assembly. In another aspect, a graphic display is provided presenting the user with a customized set of selectable swim-in-place configurations derived at least in part by processing a signal originating from an auxiliary device worn by or implanted in the body of the swimmer.

Abstract: A jet propelled watercraft includes a watercraft body, an engine mounted on the watercraft body, an air intake box configured to supply air to the engine, and a mounting portion provided on the air intake box. The air intake box is disposed opposite to the engine. An electrical device is mounted on a front surface and a right surface of the air intake box, which are different from the surfaces of the air intake box that oppose the engine. The electrical device is removably mounted on the mounting portions without using an implement such as a tool.

Abstract: A stand-up type personal watercraft comprises: a body including a hull and a deck; a standing deck provided in a rear portion of the deck; an engine hood attached to the deck and located in front of the standing deck; a pole storage section formed as a recess on an outer upper surface of the engine hood and extending in a forward and rearward direction; a handle pole which is rotatably attached at a front end portion thereof to the deck, and is pivotable between a stowed position at which the handle pole is stowed in the pole storage section, and an up position at which a rear end portion of the handle pole is placed above and away from the pole storage section; and a storage provided in the engine hood by depressing a portion of an upper surface of the pole storage section.

Abstract: A stand-up type personal watercraft comprises a body including a deck and a hull; a standing deck which is provided at a rear part of the deck and on which a rider stands; and a pair of deck fins located on a left side and a right side of the standing deck, respectively, protruding upward, and extending in a forward and rearward direction, wherein the standing deck has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hide away helm for a watercraft that is positionable between a use position in which the hide away helm extends up from the deck and a non-use position in which the hide away helm retracts into a deck cavity and becomes flush with the deck. The hide away helm includes: a mounting member, a first support member, an optional biasing member, a steering device, one or more second support members, and a deck member.

Abstract: A redundant electromechanical actuator is provided that includes first and second electric motors, a common output shaft, first and second drive cable drums, first and second driven cable drums, a first cable, and a second cable. The first and second electric motors are each adapted to be controllably energized to supply a drive torque. The common output shaft is coupled to receive the drive torque supplied from one or both of the motors. The first and second drive cable drums are coupled to the common output shaft to receive the drive torque from one or both of the motors. The first and second driven cable drums are each configured, upon being driven, to rotate. The first cable is coupled between the first drive cable drum and the first driven cable drum, and the second cable is coupled between the second drive cable drum and the second driven cable drum.

Abstract: A steering unit for a small watercraft, which can positively prevent jolting of a steering shaft relative to a bearing section for allowing smooth rotation of the steering shaft, and makes for improving the installing characteristic of the steering shaft and a collar into the bearing section. A steering shaft is rotatably supported with respect to a watercraft body through a cylindrical bearing section in which the steering shaft is inserted. A plurality of ribs are provided around an inner surface of the cylindrical bearing section and extend in an axial direction of the steering shaft. The steering shaft is rotatably supported by the bearing section with a collar, formed from an elastic material, being provided interposedly between the ribs and an outer surface of the steering shaft. The cylindrical bearing section includes at least three or more ribs are provided.

Abstract: A personal watercraft has a pole having a forward portion pivotally connected to the deck. Handlebars are operatively connected to the rearward portion of the pole. A pole support is connected to the pole at one end and to the deck at the other in order to support the pole above the deck. The pole support is preferably connected to the pole and the deck with latches. The length of the pole support can be adjusted in order to accommodate different sizes of riders.

Abstract: A small planing watercraft can have a hull, an engine, and a steering assembly. The steering assembly can be configured to be translatable in the fore and aft direction, as well as pivotable about a generally horizontal axis so as to provide more flexibility in accommodating different. Optionally, a watercraft can include moveable members on a bottom surface of the hull so as to change a turning characteristic of the watercraft.

Abstract: Steering-force detection sections, including a pressure-receiving section and a received-pressure detection section, are spaced from one another in the vicinity of a steering shaft. The steering shaft can include a pressing member for applying pressure to the pressure-receiving section when steering handlebars are rotated in either direction to the maximum steering angle. The pressure-receiving section and the received-pressure detection section are coaxially mounted in a pressure-receiving section casing and a detection section casing, respectively, through a guide tube, so that the pressure-receiving directions of both the pressure-receiving sections are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction in which the steering-force detection sections are spaced. The detection section casing includes mounting openings for mounting the received-pressure detecting sections and an electric circuit board, which is integrally connected to the received-pressure detecting sections.

Abstract: A steering device of a personal watercraft is disclosed. The steering device typically includes a lower steering column that is mounted to a body of the watercraft and is configured to be rotatable around a rotational axis extending rearward and upward, and an upper steering column that is configured to support a steering handle and is movably coupled to the lower steering column. The upper steering column is movable close to and away from the lower steering column along a straight line extending to be inclined rearward with respect to the rotational axis of the lower steering column.

Abstract: A stand-up type personal watercraft is disclosed. The stand-up type personal watercraft typically includes a body including a hull and a deck covering the hull from above and being provided with a foot deck on an upper surface of a rear portion thereof to allow a rider to ride thereon, a handle pole configured to extend rearward in a longitudinal direction of the body, the handle pole having a steering handle attached to a rear end portion thereof, the handle pole being configured to be mounted to the deck such that a front end portion of the handle pole is attached to a front portion of the deck and the handle pole is vertically pivotable around the front end portion thereof, and a display device mounted to the handle pole and configured to display information regarding the watercraft.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a personal watercraft, comprises a seat portion. A support portion is connected to the seat portion, and is adapted to connect the seat portion to the personal watercraft in a seating position of the seat assembly, in which a rider of the personal watercraft is in a seated position on the personal watercraft. A storable configuration is provided between the seat portion and the support portion, for the seat assembly to be displaceable while being connected to the personal watercraft between the seating position and a collapsed position in which the seat assembly is adapted to be stored in the personal watercraft, such that the rider of the personal watercraft can be in a standing or kneeling position on the personal watercraft.

Abstract: A watercraft can include seats having hip supports for the riders including an operator and/or passengers thereof. Additionally, the watercraft can include a handlebar cover that is configured to prevent water from entering a steering mechanism. For example, the handlebar cover can include a lower portion and an upper portion extending downwardly over the lower portion.

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: A stand-up type personal watercraft comprises a body including a hull and a deck covering the hull from above, the body having a foot deck at a rear portion of the deck, on which an operator rides, a water jet pump configured to propel the watercraft, and a four-cycle multi-cylinder engine provided within the body and configured to drive the water jet pump, wherein the engine is disposed forward of the foot deck within the body and substantially at a center position in a longitudinal direction of the body.

Abstract: A watercraft of the jet propulsion type comprising a steering mechanism, a throttle control mechanism, a thrust mechanism, a throttle regulator and a controlled thrust steering system. The steering mechanism has a straight-ahead position. The steering mechanism is able to rotate in a clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position to a clockwise position and in a counter-clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position to a counter-clockwise position. The throttle control mechanism is biased toward an idle position. The thrust mechanism provides jet propulsion thrust for the watercraft. The throttle regulator regulates thrust provided by the thrust mechanism. The controlled thrust steering system causes the throttle regulator to increase thrust upon the steering mechanism rotating from the straight-ahead position to the clockwise position or the counter-clockwise position.

Abstract: A watercraft is disclosed that includes a hull having port and starboard sides and a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water that exits through a nozzle. A helm operatively connects to the nozzle, whereby turning the helm turns the nozzle. A vane is connected to either or both of the port or starboard sides and is operatively connected to the nozzle. The vane is capable of pivoting inwardly and outwardly in response to steering signals. The vane can also move between an operative position and an inoperative position based on pressure in the propulsion system. The vanes are designed to provide steering assistance when insufficient thrust is generated by the propulsion system to effectively steer the watercraft.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel non-motorized water sports devices which facilitate and improve the usage of “tow-behind” water sports devices. Said devices of the present invention comprise a hull having an aft deck surface sized for accommodating at least one rider; at least one tow attachment point; a handle column; a handle bar attached to said handle column; and at least one rudder fin attached to said hull. Said devices are usually towed by a watercraft having a propulsion mechanism, by means of a tow rope or similar device(s).

Abstract: A steering device for a personal watercraft includes a handle holder fitted to a watercraft body. A steering shaft passes through the handle holder, and a handle is fitted to the upper end of the steering shaft. The steering shaft is provided with a groove, and a holding member is provided in the handle holder and is fitted into the groove. Accordingly, movement of the steering shaft in the axial direction is restricted. A flange or the groove has a shape such that its width can be reduced. When the holding member is fitted by setting the width to a small size, and taking dimensional variations into account, the chattering between the flange or the groove and the holding member can be reduced. In view of this, the steering shaft is provided with the flange or the groove, and the holding member provided in the handle holder is fitted to the flange or the groove, so that movement of the steering shaft in the axial direction can be restrained.

Abstract: A watercraft is disclosed that includes a hull having port and starboard sides and a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water through a nozzle. A helm operatively connects to the nozzle, whereby turning the helm turns the nozzle. At least one rudder connects to either or both of the port or starboard sides. The rudder is capable of pivoting inwardly and outwardly and can also be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the side to which it is connected. The rudder is located a certain distance from the respective side of the hull, which allows the rudder to utilize its inner and outer surfaces to assist in steering the watercraft by deflecting water flowing thereacross. Also, a linking element can connect the nozzle to the rudder. An off-power steering system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A watercraft is disclosed that includes a hull having port and starboard sides and a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water that exits through a nozzle. A helm operatively connects to the nozzle, whereby turning the helm turns the nozzle. A vane is connected to either or both of the port or starboard sides and is operatively connected to the nozzle. The vane is capable of pivoting inwardly and outwardly in response to steering signals. The vane can also move between an operative position and an inoperative position based on pressure in the propulsion system. The vanes are designed to provide steering assistance when insufficient thrust is generated by the propulsion system to effectively steer the watercraft.

Abstract: A watercraft is disclosed that includes a hull having port and starboard sides and a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water through a nozzle. A helm operatively connects to the nozzle, whereby turning the helm turns the nozzle. At least one rudder connects to either or both of the port or starboard sides. The rudder is capable of pivoting inwardly and outwardly and can also be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the side to which it is connected. The rudder is located a certain distance from the respective side of the hull, which allows the rudder to utilize its inner and outer surfaces to assist in steering the watercraft by deflecting water flowing thereacross. Also, a linking element can connect the nozzle to the rudder. An off-power steering system is also disclosed.