Abstract: A boat capable of having a snowmobile securely mounted on its hull and steerable by the snowmobile's steering mechanism. The boat includes a bow, an aft, a port side, a starboard side, and a mid-ship. The hull of the boat includes a top and a bottom, wherein the bottom of the hull includes under-hull skis with tips and tails, and the bottom of the hull further includes a bow step positioned proximate to the tips of the under-hull skis. The boat also includes: a snowmobile opening including a cutaway of the hull extending into the hull from the aft and disposed halfway between the port and starboard sides; a transom disposed at the aft; and a boat steering mechanism including two boat ski attachment mechanisms on the port and starboard sides of the boat and two snowmobile ski attachment mechanisms on the port and starboard sides.

Abstract: Personal watercraft having ergonomically improved footwell designs. The footwells reside on either side of the personal watercraft straddle-type seat and can include higher outside footwell walls in preferred embodiments. The higher outside footwell walls can provide added protection to the driver's legs from unwanted contact from other boats and docks. Several improved footwells are provided, and include improved height to bottom width ratios and improved inner and outer wall angles. Footwells according to the present invention provide for more comfortable driver placement within the personal watercraft as well as easier egress from the watercraft and easier extraction of the driver's feet.

Abstract: A personal watercraft having a shroud portion. The watercraft includes a hull formed from an upper portion secured over a bottom hull. The hull defines an engine compartment sized to contain an internal combustion engine for powering a jet propulsion unit. The jet propulsion unit includes a steerable water discharge nozzle. The upper portion includes a straddle-type seat, a top deck, and a shroud, where a portion of the sidewalls of the shroud curve inward to form pockets at a point generally aligned with the knees of an operator seated on the personal watercraft.

Abstract: Adjustable angle sponsons and personal watercraft having adjustable angle sponsons. The present invention provides sponsons having at least two adjustable angular settings downward of horizontal for the sponson. Sponsons include a fin or blade having an outward edge for penetrating beneath the surface of the water. The angle of the fin preferably can be set to a vertically straight down position, as well as other, more benign, outwardly extending angular positions. The vertically downward position provides for a responsive, aggressive handling boat, while the more outward positions provide a less aggressive, gentler riding personal watercraft. One adjustable angle sponson includes a fin secured to a longitudinal shaft having a key extending along the shaft length. A sponson housing can include a cavity for receiving the shaft longitudinally as well as at least two longitudinal keyways for receiving the key in different angular positions.

Abstract: A personal watercraft is described having a hull, an engine disposed in the hull, a propulsion unit driven by the engine, and a steering unit to steer the propulsion unit. A deck is supported above the hull. The deck includes an opening therethrough to provide access to the engine. A pedestal is disposed on the deck and releasably fastened to the deck. The pedestal includes an opening therethrough. The pedestal opening is disposed at a position vertically above the deck opening. A seat is supported by the pedestal and releasably fastened thereto. The seat is moveable from a first position where the seat covers the pedestal opening to at least a second position where the seat does not cover the pedestal opening.

Abstract: A hull-less personal water craft is provided which reduces air, water, noise, and wake pollution over personal water craft presently on the market. The craft includes a strut assembly having forward and rearward ends, with an operator platform attached at the rearward end, and having at least one hydrofoil positioned below the operator platform. A propulsion system is provided, as is a control column which provides the operator interface when the craft operator is kneeling, standing or sitting on the operator platform. The hydrofoil provides substantially all of the lift for the craft when in operation, and the elimination of a hull greatly reduces the power requirements and wake generated by the craft in operation.

Abstract: A watercraft incorporates a vertically elongated displacement hull section to elevate the riders of the watercraft well above the water level when the watercraft is up on plane. During normal low-speed displacement hull-type operation, the elongated displacement hull section remains submerged, and does not appreciably affect the stability of the watercraft. When the watercraft is accelerated to planing speed, however, the elongated displacement hull section rises out of the water, and the watercraft planes on the planing surface disposed at the bottom of the elongated displacement hull section. In this manner, the operator/riders are lifted a significant distance above the surface of the water. The watercraft further incorporates an elongated displacement hull section having a bulged section which is sized to accommodate the watercraft engine within the elongated displacement hull section.

Abstract: A hull-less personal water craft is provided which reduces air, water, noise, and wake pollution over personal water craft presently on the market. The craft includes a strut assembly having forward and rearward ends, with an operator platform attached at the rearward end, and having at least one hydrofoil positioned substantially underneath the operator platform at a predetermined distance. A propulsion system is provided at the forward end of the strut, and is operatively coupled to a control column which provides the operator interface when the craft operator is kneeling or standing on the operator platform. The hydrofoil provides substantially all of the lift for the craft when in operation, and the elimination of a hull greatly reduces the power requirements and wake generated by the craft in operation.

Abstract: A hull-less personal water craft is provided which reduces air, water, noise, and wake pollution over personal water craft presently on the market. The craft includes a strut assembly having forward and rearward ends, with an operator platform attached at the rearward end, and having at least one hydrofoil positioned substantially underneath the operator platform at a predetermined distance. A propulsion system is provided at the forward end of the strut, and is operatively coupled to a control column which provides the operator interface when the craft operator is kneeling or standing on the operator platform. The hydrofoil provides substantially all of the lift for the craft when in operation, and the elimination of a hull greatly reduces the power requirements and wake generated by the craft in operation.