Abstract: A personal watercraft in which a battery is easily placed and charging and maintenance of the battery are easily performed, comprising: a body constituted by a deck and a hull; an engine room formed inside the body, for containing an engine; and a battery-accommodating portion for containing the battery for the engine, wherein the battery-accommodating portion is provided in the deck outside the engine room.

Abstract: A personal watercraft has a handle rigidly attached to a rear portion of a deck pedestal. The handle has an elongate hand hold being disposed at a vertical position below a seat top surface and above a deck re-boarding platform. The hand hold spans between top and bottom attachment positions and is disposed at an angle of at least 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal surface. A handle for a watercraft is also described.

Abstract: A two-piece rear grip apparatus 22 for a personal watercraft includes a body member 23 having either a U-shaped or an H-shaped cross-sectional shape. The body member includes a recessed portion 28, which opens upwardly. The apparatus also includes a grip face member 24 for placement covering the sculpted recess. The two component parts of the apparatus may be formed from a plastic resin. The grip face member 24 may be injection molded, and has slipresistant textured irregularities 36 formed thereon to provide purchase for the palm of a user's hand. The two component parts of the apparatus may be formed by compression molding or injection molding. Even if the surface of the grip face member includes fine detail work, injection molding can effectively transfer such detail from a metal mold into the finished part. Accordingly, the grip face member can be made to include fine detail work.

Abstract: A personal watercraft tri-hull system for improving stability and handling of a personal watercraft at relatively high velocities. The personal watercraft tri-hull system includes a center hull, a first wing and a second wing extending from opposing sides of the center hull, a first hull connected to the distal portion of the first wing and a second hull connected to the distal portion of the second wing. The first hull and the second hull are preferably positioned within the forward portion of the personal watercraft tri-hull system for providing increased stability during high velocity travel. The first hull and second hull include a first inner portion and a second inner portion respectively which are angled inwardly to provide deceleration when the personal watercraft velocity is reduced.

Abstract: A personal watercraft has a handle rigidly attached to a rear portion of a deck pedestal. The handle has an elongate hand hold being disposed at a vertical position below a seat top surface and above a deck re-boarding platform. The hand hold spans between top and bottom attachment positions and is disposed at an angle of at least 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal surface. A handle for a watercraft is also described.

Abstract: The benefits of a sporty and maneuverable personal watercraft and those of a larger sport boat, having the ability to accommodate a large number of riders, are combined into a single watercraft. The watercraft is equipped with a rear sundeck large enough for passengers to sun bathe while the watercraft is stationary. Disposed beneath the sundeck are storage compartments, each having a lip-less seal for preventing the ingress of water into the compartments. Additionally, the storage compartments are large enough to store a variety of items and accessories such as food, clothes, and first-aid materials. The watercraft is designed such that a relationship between the position of its center of gravity and the position of its center of buoyancy, prevents the watercraft from tipping over even when three of four adults of average size simultaneously board the watercraft from the same side.

Abstract: Disclosed is a watercraft comprising a body; a hull constituting a lower portion of the body; a deck having deck floors formed on both sides of the body in a width direction and a raised portion at least extending from a center portion of the body to a rear end portion of the body in a longitudinal direction and being raised from center-side end portions of the deck floors on both sides in the width direction so as to form an engine room that contains the engine, the deck covering the hull from above and constituting an upper portion of the body; a straddle-type seat mounted over an upper end of the raised portion of the deck for a rider to straddle with feet put on the deck floors on both sides; and a rear cowling mounted behind the seat and extending rearwardly from a rear end of the seat.

Abstract: A rear grip structure for a small boat capable of discharging water which has entered the boat from between the hull side and the seat. The rear grip structure for a small boat has a structure in which an outer frame is formed into a hollow structure and is inclined upward. The outer frame 31 formed with the first eyelets at the lower portions on the left and the right and with the second eyelets at the portions higher than the first eyelets. This enables the outer frame to play the role of a drain trough, such that when water collects in the rear grip structure, it is taken into the hollow outer frame through the second eyelets. Thereafter, the water in the hollow frame flows down the incline of the hollow frame and is discharged through the first eyelets. The rear grip structure is mounted on the upper hull with a plurality of mounting bolts.

Abstract: A personal watercraft in which a battery is easily placed and charging and maintenance of the battery are easily performed, comprising: a body constituted by a deck and a hull; an engine room formed inside the body, for containing an engine; and a battery-accommodating portion for containing the battery for the engine, wherein the battery-accommodating portion is provided in the deck outside the engine room.

Abstract: A small watercraft hull defines a vertically oriented, central longitudinal plane of the watercraft. The hull has an engine compartment with an internal combustion engine disposed therein. The engine has an engine body comprising a crankcase, a cylinder block and a cylinder head and includes at least one cylinder bore defining a cylinder axis. An air induction system is provided to guide air into a combustion chamber of the engine. The air induction system includes a plenum chamber. An exhaust system is also provided for guiding exhaust gases from the combustion chamber to the atmosphere. The exhaust system includes an exhaust conduit. The cylinder axis is canted with respect to the central plane and the exhaust conduit is disposed substantially on a side of the central plane to which the cylinder axis is canted.

Abstract: A rear grip structure for a small boat capable of discharging water which has entered the boat from between the hull side and the seat. The rear grip structure for a small boat has a structure in which an outer frame is formed into a hollow structure and is inclined upward. The outer frame 31 formed with the first eyelets at the lower portions on the left and the right and with the second eyelets at the portions higher than the first eyelets. This enables the outer frame to play the role of a drain trough, such that when water collects in the rear grip structure, it is taken into the hollow outer frame through the second eyelets. Thereafter, the water in the hollow frame flows down the incline of the hollow frame and is discharged through the first eyelets. The rear grip structure is mounted on the upper hull with a plurality of mounting bolts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a watercraft having steering components (steering tabs or stabilizers) for maintaining steering capability even while amount of water ejected from a propulsion pump is decreased. The steering components are movably disposed on a hull of the watercraft at or below the water level on both right and left sides to be in an “Operating State” in which resistance of water is larger or to be in a “Non-operating State” in which the resistance of water is smaller in accordance with steering operation. Furthermore, a mechanism for absorbing an external force acting on the steering components in the “Operating State” is located in a system for operating the steering components. The mechanism reacts to the external force to allow the steering components to be transformed into the “Non-operating State.

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 is provided that includes a rearwardly facing ventilation opening, which allows ambient air to flow into a hull assembly of the watercraft. A seat is provided that has a seating surface configured to accommodate at least one rider seated thereon. The seat is mounted on the hull assembly such that the seat covers the ventilation opening of the hull assembly to obstruct water from flowing therein and forms one or more air pathways between the seat and hull assembly. Each of the one or more air pathways has one end open to the atmosphere and an opposite end open to the ventilation opening to enable air to flow between the atmosphere and the ventilation opening between the seat and the hull assembly via the one or more air pathways.

Abstract: A personal watercraft has an improved ventilation system for an engine compartment. The ventilation system is disclosed in the context of both two-cycle and four-cycle engines. The system includes a plurality of ducts that are strategically positioned on the watercraft. One of the ducts extends through a sidewall of a pedestal that carries an operator seat. Another of the ducts extends through a bottom plate connecting the seat to the hull. The ducts are configured to create airflow across various engine and exhaust system components. For instance, a portion of an exhaust system is interposed between two ends of two separate ducts in one arrangement. In another arrangement, a duct draws or forces air past a portion of the exhaust system. The portion of the exhaust system can include a catalyst. The system also creates a flow of air across a cylinder head in one arrangement and a lubricant reservoir in another arrangement.

Abstract: To make an intake apparatus and the inside of a boat body less likely to be contaminated with oil and to make an electric apparatus less likely to suffer from any trouble. A four-cycle engine having a head cover in which a breather exit is formed is carried in a boat body, and an oil storage portion when the boat is capsized is formed from the head cover. An upper face of the head cover is positioned close to and extends along a ceiling of the boat body, and the breather exit is provided above an upper face of oil stored in the head cover when the boat is capsized. A connection portion of the intake apparatus to a breather pipe is disposed below the breather exit. The head cover has a water drain path formed therein which connects to a plug mounting-dismounting hole and is opened to a peripheral face of the head cover rearwardly of the hole with respect to an advancing direction of the boat body. A water drain flow path is formed at a lowermost end portion of a bearing surface for a plug.

Abstract: A vehicle, including watercraft and personal watercraft, includes a hull, an engine system and a propulsion system. The engine system comprises an internal combustion engine and an air intake for receiving air to be mixed with fuel supplied to the engine. The propulsion system connects to the engine and propels the watercraft along a surface of a body of water using power from the engine. The watercraft can include a quick connect air/water separator, or air box. A fuel system is provided that has a fuel supply line and a fuel return line which are connected with a bypass line. For evacuating fuel from the supply line and the return line, the bypass line contains a valve which can be actuated to allow fuel to flow into the fuel reservoir. A lubrication system is provided that includes a filler neck comprising an oil/air separator which allows a mixture of oil and air to be separated and the oil to be returned to the oil reservoir.

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: The present invention provides a watercraft having steering components (steering tabs or stabilizers) for maintaining steering capability even while amount of water ejected from a propulsion pump is decreased. The steering components are movably disposed on a hull of the watercraft at or below the water level on both right and left sides to be in an “Operating State” in which resistance of water is larger or to be in a “Non-operating State” in which the resistance of water is smaller in accordance with steering operation. Furthermore, a mechanism for absorbing an external force acting on the steering components in the “Operating State” is located in a system for operating the steering components. The mechanism reacts to the external force to allow the steering components to be transformed into the “Non-operating State.

Abstract: A watercraft includes an improved seat design that allows a rider to better absorb impact shocks with his or her legs as the watercraft bounds over wakes. The seat assembly includes a front seat section and a rear seat section that is sized to accommodate one or more riders in tandem with each rider straddling the seat. The front seat section is narrower than the rear seat section to permit the front rider to place his or her legs more directly in front of him or her. This position improves the rider's comfort and allows the rider to assume a stance in which the rider can better absorb impact shocks on the watercraft. In order to accommodate this seat design, an improved engine component layout is provided so as to reduce the width of the upper end of the engine. The induction and exhaust systems of the engine are laid out on the lower sides of the watercraft, and extend at least partially beneath foot wells that flank the sides of the seat assembly.

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 watercraft includes a plastic hull and a plastic deck which are joined together in a vertical direction. An upwardly extending portion on a part of the deck defines a seat platform at its top side. A straddle type seat for a rider is installed upon the seat platform. A discrete layer of vibration damping material is attached to opposed side walls of the seat platform. A discrete layer of auxiliary vibration damping material is attached to opposed side plates of the hull. The discrete layers of vibration damping material and the auxiliary vibration damping material damp vibrations from a propulsion apparatus, which propels the watercraft through water, and thus increasing the rider's comfort.

Abstract: A seat lock device allows a seat to be unlocked and removed with one hand by rotating a lever member with one's fingertips and lifting an end portion of the seat. An engaging rod is mounted on either a bottom plate of a seat or a seat mounting bed. A support block, which has a locking rod, is mounted on the other of the seat bottom plate and the seat mounting bed. A lever member that engages with a bridge portion of the locking rod is pivotally mounted relative to the support block. Upon rotating the lever member with one's fingertips, both end portions of the locking rod are retracted against a biasing force of a spring from a receiving groove formed in the support block. Then, the engaging rod can be removed from the receiving groove to unlock the seat.

Abstract: A bulkhead structure for a personal watercraft reduces the weight of the personal watercraft while maintaining the rigidity of an outer shell of a body by utilizing the inside space of the body. Alternatively, the structure can further enhance the rigidity of the outer shell of the body without increasing the weight. The hull and a deck are joined to form the outer shell of the body of the personal watercraft. A plate-shaped member spans substantially horizontally in a direction of the width of the body of the personal watercraft and has right and left sides fixed in the vicinity of a junction portion of the hull and the deck.

Abstract: A small watercraft includes expanded storage capacity so as to accommodate more of the type of articles that rider's typically what to carry on the watercraft. Such articles include, for example, towels, water skis, tow ropes, etc. At least one of the storage compartments on the watercraft is formed by an opening on an upper deck section. A container is affixed to the deck below the opening and has an upper end defined by a flange that extends from walls of the container. The flange is attached to an interior wall of the upper deck section so that the container and the corresponding upper deck section form a storage compartment. The upper end of the container, however, has a larger area than the opening in the deck so as to maximize the storage space within the compartment without weakening the deck and minimizing the area through which water can enter the hull.

Abstract: A suspension system for personal water craft. The personal water craft suspension system includes a gas-inflated bladder (10) that is adapted for placement between a hull and seat of a personal water craft. The suspension system further includes at least one telescopic connector between the seat and the hull. For the typical personal water craft, the suspension system includes a back seat telescopic latch stud (18) and a front seat telescopic U hook(40). These telescopic connectors enable the seat to move up and down with respect to the hull with the bladder sandwiched between the seat and hull. The suspension system is operative to absorb or dampen the effects of bumps and other forces acting on personal water craft when a user is seated on the personal water craft and is riding over rough water.

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.