Hull for small watercraft

Abstract

A hull for a watercraft has a longitudinal axis generally extending from fore to aft of the watercraft. The hull includes a seat pedestal forming at least two side walls supporting a seat. The side walls generally extend longitudinally relative to the hull. The seat pedestal defines an engine compartment in which an engine is placed. Each side wall defines a maintenance opening communicating with the engine compartment. The openings are elongated along the longitudinal axis. Normally, caps close the respective openings. Each cap has a bulged out configuration to form an inner recessed area therein. A portion of an exhaust conduit extends beyond the opening to occupy one of the recessed areas. In one arrangement, an air induction system includes a plenum chamber unit that has a portion disposed close to the opening. The portion of the plenum chamber unit also defines another opening thereon.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A watercraft comprising a hull having a longitudinal axis generally extending from fore to aft of the watercraft, the hull including a seat pedestal having first and second side walls supporting a seat, the side walls generally extending along the longitudinal axis, the first side wall defining a first opening communicating with an internal space defined by the seat pedestal, the opening being elongated longitudinally.  
     
     
         2 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  additionally comprising a closure member to close the first opening, and the closure member bulging outwardly from the first side wall of the seat pedestal.  
     
     
         3 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  additionally comprising an internal combustion engine placed within the internal space, the engine including an engine body and at least one engine component extending along the engine body.  
     
     
         4 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the engine component exists beyond the first opening.  
     
     
         5 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 4  further comprising a closure member to close the opening, the closure member bulging out to accommodate the portion of the engine component.  
     
     
         6 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  additionally comprising a multi-cylinder engine placed within the internal space, the engine including an engine body defining at least two cylinders aligned longitudinally relative to the hull, the first opening having a length that is approximately the same as a length of the engine body.  
     
     
         7 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the engine additionally includes at least one engine component connected with the respective cylinders, the engine component at least in part extending close to the first opening.  
     
     
         8 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the engine additionally includes at least one engine component connected with the respective cylinders, the engine component at least in part, is disposed beyond the first opening.  
     
     
         9 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  additionally comprising a second opening in the second side wall, the first and second openings being elongated with a length generally equal to each other.  
     
     
         10 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the first opening is positioned more forward than the second opening.  
     
     
         11 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  additionally comprising a second opening in the second side wall, a front end of the first opening being positioned more forward than a front end of the second opening.  
     
     
         12 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  additionally comprising a second opening in the second side wall, a rear end of the first opening being positioned more rearward than a rear end of the second opening.  
     
     
         13 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  additionally comprising a top wall bridging the side walls, the top wall defining a second opening, a longitudinal length of the first opening being longer than half a longitudinal length of the second opening.  
     
     
         14 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hull additionally includes footwells positioned on either side of the seat pedestal.  
     
     
         15 . A watercraft comprising a hull, a seat pedestal supporting a seat, an engine compartment defined by the seat pedestal, an internal combustion engine disposed in the engine compartment, the engine including an engine body and at least one engine component extending along the engine body, the seat pedestal including at least first and second side walls extending longitudinally relative to the hull, at least the first side wall defining an oblong opening extending along the engine body.  
     
     
         16 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 15  additionally comprising a closure member configured to close the opening, the closure member bulging outwardly to accommodate the portion of the engine component.  
     
     
         17 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the engine component includes an exhaust conduit.  
     
     
         18 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the engine includes an air induction system and an exhaust system, and either one of the air induction system or the exhaust system at least in part exists close to the opening.  
     
     
         19 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 18  further comprising a closure member configured to close the opening, the closure member bulging out to form an inner recessed area, and at least one of a portion of the air induction system and a portion of the exhaust system being disposed in the recessed area.  
     
     
         20 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the air induction system includes a plenum chamber unit, a portion of the plenum chamber unit exists close to the opening.  
     
     
         21 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the plenum chamber unit defines a second opening facing to the first opening.  
     
     
         22 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the plenum chamber unit includes a filter element in proximity to the second opening.  
     
     
         23 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the hull additionally includes footrests positioned on either side of the side walls.  
     
     
         24 . A watercraft comprising a hull, an engine supported by the hull, the engine including an engine body, and an induction system configured to guide air to the engine body, an inlet of the induction system facing toward the engine body, and a portion of the engine body extending below the inlet.  
     
     
         25 . The watercraft according to  claim 24 , wherein a portion of the induction system extends over the inlet.  
     
     
         26 . The watercraft according to  claim 24 , wherein the engine body includes a cylinder block which is inclined toward a first side of the engine body, the inlet facing toward the second side of the engine body.