초록 ▼

A watercraft includes moveable sponsons that are moved in response to movements of the handlebars and the accelerator lever. The watercraft can include a number of different kinds of actuators for moving these sponsons relative to the hull of the watercraft. In preferred embodiments, the sponsons ar

A watercraft includes moveable sponsons that are moved in response to movements of the handlebars and the accelerator lever. The watercraft can include a number of different kinds of actuators for moving these sponsons relative to the hull of the watercraft. In preferred embodiments, the sponsons are moved outwardly and/or downwardly relative to the hull.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A watercraft comprising a hull, an engine supported by the hull and having an output shaft, a propulsion device connected to the output shaft of the engine, a steering input device configured to be manually operable by an operator, a steering device configured to steer the watercraft in accordanc

1. A watercraft comprising a hull, an engine supported by the hull and having an output shaft, a propulsion device connected to the output shaft of the engine, a steering input device configured to be manually operable by an operator, a steering device configured to steer the watercraft in accordance with the position of the steering input device, first and second sponson modules connected to opposite sides of the hull, each sponson module comprising a sponson body having a first inner surface facing toward a side of the hull, a second lower surface extending from the inner surface away from the hull, and a third surface extending at an angle from the second surface and being spaced outwardly from the first inner surface, each sponson module also including a guide mechanism defining a fixed path of travel for each sponson body between a first retracted position and a second deployed position, a steering sensor configured to detect a position of the steering input device and to generate a position signal indicative of the position of the steering input device, an actuator for moving the sponsoring body between the first and second positions, and a controller configured to control the actuator based on the position signal from the steering sensor. 2. A watercraft according to claim 1, when the propulsion device comprises a jet pump, the steering device comprising a steering nozzle pivotally mounted at an outlet of the jet pump. 3. A watercraft comprising a hull, an engine supported by the hull, a power request input device positioned for operation by an operator of the watercraft, a steering input device mounted to the hull and configured for pivotal movement between port and starboard directions, port and starboard side sponsons, a controller configured to move the port and starboard sponsons relative to the hull between a retracted position and a deployed position, the controller being configured to deploy the port side sponson when the steering input device is turned toward the port side, and a power request sensor configured to detect a position of the power request input device and to generate a signal indicative of the position of the power request input device, wherein the power request input device is configured to move through first and second ranges of movement, the controller being configured to deploy the sponsons only if the request input device is within the first range of movement. 4. The watercraft according to claim 3, wherein the first range of movement corresponds to a first range of power output of the engine, the second range of movement corresponding to a second range of power output of the engine greater than the first range. 5. A watercraft comprising a hull, a power request device configured for operation by an operator of the watercraft, a steering input device configured for operation by an operator of the watercraft and for pivotal movement, at least a first sponson mounted for pivotal movement relative to the hull, a controller configured to control movement of the first sponson between retracted and deployed positions in response to pivotal movement of the steering input device and to determine if the power request device is suddenly released, wherein the controller is further configured to move the first sponson to the deployed position only when the watercraft is operating in a body of water at a planing speed, the power request device is suddenly released and at the same time, the steering input device is turned, the deployed position of the first sponson being configured such that the first sponson contacts the body of water sufficiently to cause the watercraft to turn at least ninety degrees before the watercraft coasts to a stop. 6. The watercraft according to claim 5 wherein the first sponson comprises a first surface juxtaposed to the hull of the watercraft and a second surface extending from the first surface away from the hull the watercraft, the first sponson being mounted to pivot betwe en a retracted position and a deployed position such that in the deployed position, the second surface is skewed sufficiently relative to a surface of a body of water to generate yaw.