Bow hatch construction for watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft has an improved bow hatch design. The bow hatch is disposed above a bow storage compartment and can be secured in a closed position. A locking mechanism is provided to maintain the bow hatch in a closed position. The locking mechanism comprises a separated actuator and locking member. Thus, the actuator can be disposed in a location convenient to the operator while the locking member can be mounted in an aesthetically acceptable location. The locking member is mounted rearward of the storage bin and the actuator is located to one side of the steering mast. In addition, a cable extends between the actuator and the locking member. Body panels of the watercraft substantially enclose the cable.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A personal watercraft comprising a deck, said deck comprising a pedestal, a seat being supported by said pedestal, a control mast extending upward from said deck at a location forward of said seat, a storage compartment positioned forward of said control mast, a hatch disposed over said storage compartment, a locking member being positioned proximate said hatch, an actuator being separated from said locking member and communicating with said locking member, said actuator being disposed at a location rearward of said locking member.  
     
     
         2 . The personal watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a lever and said actuator is connected to said locking member with a cable.  
     
     
         3 . The personal watercraft of  claim 2 , wherein said hatch is pivotally connected to said deck.  
     
     
         4 . The personal watercraft of  claim 3 , wherein said storage compartment has an upper perimeter and a seal is disposed around said upper perimeter between said hatch and said deck when said hatch is closed.  
     
     
         5 . The personal watercraft of  claim 4 , wherein said locking member is positioned between a portion of said hatch and said deck when said hatch is closed.  
     
     
         6 . The personal watercraft of  claim 5 , wherein said locking member is disposed between said storage compartment and said control mast.  
     
     
         7 . The personal watercraft of  claim 6 , wherein said actuator is disposed between said locking member and said seat.  
     
     
         8 . The personal watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein said actuator is disposed to one side of a longitudinal vertical plane that substantially bisects said watercraft.  
     
     
         9 . The personal watercraft of  claim 8 , wherein said cable extends under at least one cover member that is attached to said deck.  
     
     
         10 . A personal watercraft comprising a deck, a forward storage compartment positioned below said deck with an access opening extending through said deck, a cover pivotally attached to said deck forward of said access opening, a lock disposed rearward of said access opening and an actuator for said lock being physically separated from said lock while being operatively connected to said lock and said actuator being disposed rearward of said lock.  
     
     
         11 . The personal watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein said lock is disposed forward of a gauge that is mounted to said deck.  
     
     
         12 . The personal watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein said lock is positioned between said cover and said deck when said cover is closed over said access opening.  
     
     
         13 . The personal watercraft of  claim 12 , wherein a seal is interposed between said cover and said deck when said cover is closed over said access opening.  
     
     
         14 . The personal watercraft of  claim 13 , wherein said lock is disposed adjacent to said seal.  
     
     
         15 . The personal watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein said lock and said actuator are connected with a cable.  
     
     
         16 . The personal watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein a gas spring cylinder is provided at a forward portion of said cover.  
     
     
         17 . The personal watercraft of  claim 10  further comprising a longitudinally extending vertical plane that substantially bisects said watercraft, said actuator being disposed to a port side of said plane.  
     
     
         18 . The personal watercraft of  claim 10  further comprising a control mast disposed rearward of said access opening, said actuator being disposed proximate said control mast.  
     
     
         19 . The personal watercraft of  claim 18 , wherein said actuator is a lever that is disposed slightly forward of and to one side of said control mast.  
     
     
         20 . A personal watercraft comprising a deck, a storage bin accessible through an access opening formed in said deck, a cover removably disposed above said access opening, a latching mechanism configured to secure said cover in a closed position and means for remotely unlatching said latching mechanism such that said cover can be opened.