Control system for small watercraft

A method of operating an emergency shut-off system for a small watercraft that includes a hull defining an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine supported within the engine compartment, and having at least one cylinder, a water level detection sensor positioned in the engine compartment, a bilge pump, and an electronic control unit that is in electrical communication with the sensor and the pump, the method comprising

• sensing a signal from the water level detection sensor with the electronic control unit,
• disabling combustion in the cylinder when the water level detection sensor indicates that water in the engine compartment exceeds a preset level,
• activating the bilge pump.

A small watercraft comprising a hull defining an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine supported within the engine compartment and including at least one cylinder, and an emergency disablement system comprising an overturn switch, an electronic control unit that is in electrical communication with the overturn switch and the engine, the electronic control unit configured to sense a signal generated by the overturn switch, to determine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues longer than a preset delay, and to disable combustion in the cylinder if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues beyond the preset delay.

A small watercraft comprising a hull defining an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine supported within the engine compartment and including at least one cylinder, a water level detection sensor positioned in the engine compartment, a bilge pump positioned within the hull, and an electronic control unit in electrical communication with the bilge pump and the engine, the sensor configured to send a signal to the electronic control unit when water in the engine compartment rises above a specified level, the electronic control unit configured to sense the signal from the water level detection sensor and to disable combustion in the cylinder and to activate the bilge pump that is positioned within the engine compartment.

A small watercraft comprising a hull defining an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine supported within the engine compartment and including, at least one cylinder, a bilge pump positioned within the hull, an electronic control unit in electrical communication with the bilge pump and the internal combustion engine, and means for disabling combustion in the cylinder when the watercraft is overturned.

The small watercraft as set forth in claim 29, wherein said means for disabling the cylinder comprises a water level detection sensor configured to send a signal to the electronic control unit when water in the engine compartment rises above a specified level.