Deck wash system for boat

#The present invention relates to a deck wash system for a boat. More specifically, the present invention relates to a deck wash system for a jet boat.

#Conventionally, a deck wash system for a boat includes a water reservoir including a pump inside the water reservoir to pump water from the reservoir to a hose used to wash the deck of the boat. However, the water reservoir occupies some of the limited space on the boat, increases the weight of the boat, and the pump and the electric motor used to drive the pump increase the cost of the boat.

#The inventor of preferred embodiments of the present invention described and claimed in the present application has discovered a novel and unique deck wash system that utilizes the water pressure created in a jet propulsion unit provided on the boat to provide water to wash the deck. Additionally or alternatively, the water pressure created in the jet propulsion unit is preferably utilized to provide water to other devices on the boat, such as a baitwell (also known as a livewell), one or more ballast tanks, etc.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a plan view of a rear portion of the hull of the boat with the deck removed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a rear perspective of a jet nozzle mounted to the rear of the hull according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

#FIG. 1 shows a boat 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The boat 1 includes a boat body 2, which in turn includes a hull 10 and a deck 20. A cockpit 30 is located on the deck 20. An engine 40 is disposed between the hull 10 and the deck 20. A jet propulsion unit 50 (see FIG. 6) is configured to be driven by the engine 40. The jet propulsion unit 50 includes a jet nozzle 51 configured to jet water rearward from a water outlet 53 located at a rear portion of the jet nozzle 51.

#As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the jet nozzle 51 is disposed at the rear of the hull 10, and preferably on the outside of the hull 10. A water inlet 52 disposed at a front portion of the jet nozzle 51 is configured to receive water from an impeller 55 in the jet propulsion unit 50. The water pressurized by the impeller 55 is then jetted rearward from the water outlet 53 of the jet nozzle 51 to move the boat 1. A hole 54 (see FIG. 7) is provided between the water inlet 52 and the water outlet 53 of the jet nozzle 51. A water passage 11 is connected to the hole 54 in the jet nozzle 51 and to a water intake opening 12 (see FIG. 2) provided in the hull 10. The water passage 11 supplies pressurized water from the jet nozzle 51 to the water intake opening 12.