Modular hybrid propulsion unit for watercraft

A modular hybrid propulsion unit mountable to a watercraft, the modular hybrid propulsion unit comprising:

• a housing configured to fit within a complementary housing receiver on a topside of the watercraft;
• a rotational output coupling configured to rotationally engage with a rotational input coupling for a propeller of the watercraft while the modular hybrid propulsion unit fits within the complementary housing receiver of the watercraft;
• an electric motor within the housing, the electric motor having a motor shaft connected to the rotational output coupling for providing an electrically powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling;
• a crank having one or more crank arms, the crank connected to the rotational output coupling for providing a human powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling independent of the electrically powered rotational input by the electric motors
• an electronic control system, the electronic control system configured to vary the electrically powered rotational input provided to the rotational output coupling by the electric motor responsive to a control input;
• and
• a power cut off switch positioned on an exterior of the housing at a location to be selectively engaged by physical contact by a drive retraction control lever of the watercraft while the modular hybrid propulsion unit fits within the complementary housing receiver;
• wherein the electronic control system is further configured to cut power to the electric motor while the power cut off switch is disengaged.

A watercraft, comprising:

• a hull;
• a drive unit extending through the hull of the watercraft, the drive unit comprising:
• a rotational input coupling configured to receive a rotational input, the rotational input coupling accessible from a topside of the watercraft, and
• a drive shaft connecting the rotational input coupling to a propeller positioned on an underside of the watercraft;
• and
• a modular hybrid propulsion unit comprising a housing configured to fit within a complementary receiver on the topside of the watercraft, the modular hybrid propulsion unit further comprising:
• a rotational output coupling configured to rotatably engage with the rotational input coupling of the drive unit while the modular hybrid propulsion unit fits within the complementary housing receiver,
• an electric motor having a motor shaft connected to the rotational output coupling for providing an electrically powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling, and
• a crank having one or more crank arms connected to the rotational output coupling for providing a human powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling independent of the electrically powered rotational input by the electric motor;
• wherein the crank is connected to the rotational output coupling via a directional clutch that engages with the rotational output coupling when the crank is rotated in a first direction that corresponds to a forward rotation direction of the propeller, and disengages with the rotational output coupling when the crank is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction that corresponds to a reverse rotation direction of the propeller;
• wherein the motor shaft is connected to the rotational output coupling via a drivetrain that engages with the rotational output coupling when the motor shaft is rotated in the first direction that corresponds to the forward rotation direction of the propeller, and the second direction opposite the first direction that corresponds to the reverse rotation direction of the propeller.