Personal watercraft and off-power steering system for a personal watercraft

A watercraft, comprising:

• a hull having port and starboard sides;
• a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water through a nozzle;
• a helm operatively connected to the nozzle such that turning the helm turns the nozzle;
• and
• at least one flap connected to either the port or starboard side for pivotal movement about first and second non-parallel pivot axes, said at least one flap being arranged such that (a) pivotal movement of said flap about said first pivot axis pivots said flap outwardly from said hull to control steering of the watercraft and (b) pivotal movement of said flap about said second pivot axis moves said flap upwardly and downwardly to vary a depth at which said flap is positioned in water,
• wherein said at least one flap is operatively connected to the helm such that the at least one flap can be move about the first and second pivot axis via operation of the helm.

A method of controlling a watercraft, comprising:

• operating an actuator;
• in response to operating the actuator, turning at least one rudder positioned a predetermined distance away from a port or starboard side of a hull of the watercraft;
• and
• directing a flow of water adjacent to the watercraft with the at least one rudder such that water flows between an inside surface of the respective rudder and the side of the hull and also flows over an outer surface of the rudder to affect steering of said watercraft.

A kit for retrofitting a watercraft having a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water through a nozzle and a helm operatively connected to the nozzle such that turning the helm turns the nozzle, said kit comprising:

• a rudder;
• a bracket constructed to be mounted to a port or starboard side of the hull, said bracket being further constructed to support said rudder in spaced relation away from the respective port or starboard side of the hull;
• and
• an actuator constructed and arranged to operatively connect the rudder to the helm so that the rudder is operable from the helm.

A kit for retrofitting a watercraft having a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water and a helm, said kit comprising:

• a nozzle constructed and arranged to be positioned adjacent the propulsion system and operatively connected to the helm such that said nozzle directs the stream of pressurized water and turning the helm turns the nozzle;
• a rudder;
• a bracket constructed to be mounted to a port or starboard side of the hull, said bracket being further constructed to support said rudder in spaced relation away from the respective port or starboard side of the hull;
• and
• a linking element constructed and arranged to operatively connect the rudder to the nozzle so that turning of the nozzle via said helm can affect movement of the rudder.

A watercraft hull comprising:

• port and starboard sides;
• a stern adapted to receive a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water through a nozzle;
• a starboard rudder receiving recess on said starboard side of said hull proximate a stern end thereof, said starboard rudder receiving recess being configured to receive a starboard rudder therein such that said starboard rudder does not protrude laterally from said starboard side of said hull;
• and
• a port rudder receiving recess on said port side of said hull proximate a stern end thereof, said port rudder receiving recess being configured to receive a port rudder therein such that said port rudder does not protrude laterally from said port side of said hull.

An off-power steering system for a watercraft comprising a hull having port and starboard sides;

• a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water through a nozzle;
• and a helm operatively connected to the nozzle such that turning the helm turns the nozzle;
• the steering system comprising:
• at least one rudder positioned on either of the port or starboard sides, the at least one rudder being spaced a predetermined distance away from the respective port or starboard side;
• and
• an actuator operatively connected to the at least one rudder.

A jet propulsion device comprising:

• a nozzle through which pressurized fluid flows;
• a pressure responsive actuating member operatively connected to the nozzle that reacts to pressurized fluid flow at a threshold pressure;
• and
• an element coupled to the pressure responsive actuating member that responds when the fluid in the nozzle achieves the threshold pressure.

A jet propelled watercraft comprising:

• a hull;
• a nozzle coupled to the hull through which pressurized water flows to drive the watercraft;
• a pressure responsive actuating member operatively connected to the nozzle that reacts to pressurized water flow at a threshold pressure;
• and
• an element supported by the hull and coupled to the pressure responsive actuating member that responds when the water in the nozzle achieves the threshold pressure.