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A battery mounting structure for a small watercraft is constructed and arranged to improve turning performance of the craft and to provide waterproofing protection. A vessel body 11 includes a hull 14, constituting a lower portion of the vessel body, and a deck 15 for covering on top of the hull. An

A battery mounting structure for a small watercraft is constructed and arranged to improve turning performance of the craft and to provide waterproofing protection. A vessel body 11 includes a hull 14, constituting a lower portion of the vessel body, and a deck 15 for covering on top of the hull. An engine 20 is disposed in the vessel body 11, with a drive shaft 35 extending rearward from the engine 20 for driving a propeller 30, and a drive shaft supporting box 18 for supporting the drive shaft at the midsection thereof. The inventive mounting structure is substantially centrally located, so that the battery 53 can be disposed on the drive shaft supporting box 18.

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1. A battery mounting structure for use in a small watercraft comprising a vessel body having a hull comprising a lower portion of the vessel body, and a deck for covering placement on top of the hull, an engine disposed in the vessel body, a drive shaft extending rearwardly from the engine for driv

1. A battery mounting structure for use in a small watercraft comprising a vessel body having a hull comprising a lower portion of the vessel body, and a deck for covering placement on top of the hull, an engine disposed in the vessel body, a drive shaft extending rearwardly from the engine for driving a propeller, and a drive shaft supporting box for supporting the drive shaft at the midsection thereof,said battery mounting structure comprising a battery support tray for supportively holding a battery thereon and a contacting member integrally formed with said battery support tray for contacting part of a drive shaft supporting box; wherein at least part of said battery mounting structure is adapted for placement on top of the drive shaft supporting box; and wherein the contacting member comprises a contoured alignment section for matingly engaging a corresponding surface of the drive shaft supporting box when the battery support tray is placed thereon. 2. The battery mounting structure of claim 1, further comprising at least one securing strap for use in securing said battery to said battery support tray.3. A battery mounting structure of claim 1, further comprising structure for accommodating any one of a number of different-sized batteries.4. A battery mounting structure of claim 1, wherein said battery tray comprises a plurality of hooks to receive securing straps thereon to secure a battery to said battery mounting structure.5. The battery mounting structure of claim 1, further comprising a platform section integrally formed with said battery tray, said platform section configured to support a magnet box thereon.6. The battery mounting structure of claim 5, further comprising at least one reinforcing rib extending between said battery tray and said platform section.7. A method of mounting a battery in a personal watercraft having a longitudinal axis, said method comprising the steps of:a) installing a battery mounting apparatus in said personal watercraft behind an engine and above a drive shaft support box of said watercraft, wherein the battery mounting apparatus comprises a support tray having a contoured alignment section comprising a projection which matingly engages a corresponding recess of the drive shaft supporting box; b) placing a battery on the support tray of said battery mounting apparatus, and c) placing battery restraints on said battery to hold it in place on said support tray, whereby said battery is emplaced proximate the longitudinal axis of said watercraft. 8. A method of mounting a battery in a personal watercraft having a longitudinal axis, said method comprising the steps of:a) installing a battery mounting apparatus in said personal watercraft behind an engine and above a drive shaft support box of said watercraft, wherein the battery mounting apparatus comprises a support tray having a contoured alignment section which matingly engages a corresponding surface of the drive shaft supporting box, the battery support tray being placed in the watercraft such that a first part of said battery mounting structure rests on top of the drive shaft supporting box, and a second part of said battery mounting structure rests on top of an interior surface of a hull of the watercraft, b) placing a battery on the support tray of said battery mounting apparatus, and c) placing battery restraints on said battery to hold it in place on said support tray, whereby said battery is emplaced proximate the longitudinal axis of said watercraft. 9. A small watercraft, comprising:a vessel body having a hull comprising a lower portion of the vessel body, and a deck for covering placement on top of the hull; an engine disposed in the vessel body; a drive shaft extending rearwardly from the engine for driving a propeller, and a drive shaft supporting box for supporting a medial portion of the drive shaft, the drive shaft supporting box comprising side walls which are laterally spaced from the hull of the watercraft, the drive shaft supporting box further comprising an upper surface; and a battery mounting structure comprising: a battery support tray for supportively holding a battery thereon, and a contacting member integrally formed with said battery support tray for contacting the drive shaft supporting box, wherein the contacting member comprises a contoured alignment section which matingly engages a corresponding surface of the drive shaft supporting box; wherein a first part of said battery mounting structure rests on top of the drive shaft supporting box, and a second part of said battery mounting structure rests on top of an interior surface of the hull. 10. A small watercraft, comprising:a vessel body having a hull comprising a lower portion of the vessel body, and a deck for covering placement on top of the hull; an engine disposed in the vessel body; a drive shaft extending rearwardly from the engine for driving a propeller, and a drive shaft supporting box for supporting a medial portion of the drive shaft, the drive shaft supporting box comprising side walls which are laterally spaced from the hull of the watercraft, the drive shaft supporting box further comprising an upper surface having a recess formed therein; and a battery mounting structure comprising: a battery support tray for supportively holding a battery thereon, and a contacting member integrally formed with said battery support tray for contacting the drive shaft supporting box, wherein the contacting member comprises a contoured alignment section which matingly engages a corresponding surface of the drive shaft supporting box; wherein the contoured alignment section of the contacting member comprises a projection extending downward from an underside surface of the battery support tray, the projection fitting into the recess in the upper surface of the drive shaft supporting box, so as to help maintain the position of battery mounting structure on the drive shaft supporting box. 11. The small watercraft of claim 10, wherein a first part of said battery mounting structure rests on top of the drive shaft supporting box, and a second part of said battery mounting structure rests on top of an interior surface of the hull.12. A battery mounting structure for use in a small watercraft comprising a vessel body having a hull comprising a lower portion of the vessel body, and a deck for covering placement on top of the hull, an engine disposed in the vessel body, a drive shaft extending rearwardly from the engine for driving a propeller, and a drive shaft supporting box for supporting the drive shaft at the midsection thereof,said battery mounting structure comprising a battery support tray for supportively holding a battery thereon and a contacting member integrally formed with said battery support tray for contacting part of a drive shaft supporting box; wherein at least part of said battery mounting structure is adapted for placement on top of the drive shaft supporting box; wherein the contacting member comprises a contoured alignment section for matingly engaging a corresponding surface of the drive shaft supporting box when the battery support tray is placed thereon, said contoured alignment section comprising a projection extending downwardly from a lower surface of said battery support tray, for matingly engaging a recess of the drive shaft supporting box. 13. The battery mounting structure of claim 12, further comprising a platform section integrally formed with said battery tray and configured to support a magnet box thereon.14. The battery mounting structure of claim 1, wherein said contacting member comprises a rib extending downwardly from a lower surface of said battery support tray, and wherein said rib comprises a side surface adapted for abuttingly contacting a side surface of said drive shaft supporting box when said battery mounting structure is installed in said watercraft.15. The battery mounting structure of claim 14, wherein said rib extends downwardly below an outboard portion of said battery support tray, and is absent below an inboard portion of said battery support tray.