Portable personal watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft includes a number of subassemblies, including an inflatable hull, a drive system, a battery, a seat assembly and a steering and thrust control. Each of the subassemblies of may be of one or more particular designs which are detailed herein. A watercraft in accordance with the teaching herein may use one or more of these designs and each such watercraft is within the scope of this disclosure.

1 . A watercraft having a hull which is adapted for travel in at least one direction of travel, the hull having front end in the direction of travel and a rear end in the direction of travel, the watercraft having at least one member for producing movement positioned below the hull, a longitudinal centre between the front end and the rear end of the hull, the at least one member for producing movement rotatably mounted to the watercraft at a rotatable mount at a single position located at or ahead of the longitudinal centre.  
   
   
       2 . The watercraft as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the distance from the front end to the rotatable mount may be from about 30 to about 50% of the length of the hull.  
   
   
       3 . The watercraft as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the distance from the front end to the rotatable mount may be from about 40 to about 50% of the length of the hull.  
   
   
       4 . The watercraft as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the distance from the front end to the rotatable mount may be from about 51 to about 55% of the length of the hull.  
   
   
       5 . The watercraft as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a steering member having a portion to be gripped by a hand of a user and a steering rod that extends between the steering member and the member for producing movement.  
   
   
       6 . The watercraft as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the steering rod extends generally vertically.  
   
   
       7 . The watercraft as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the member for producing movement comprises a propeller.  
   
   
       8 . A propeller housing for a watercraft comprising a body portion defining a chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end in which a propeller is positioned, the propeller and the body portion are configured to interact to cut hair that enters the chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the body portion comprises a longitudinally extending hollow member having an inner surface and the propeller has blades which are positioned sufficiently close to the inner surface of hollow member to create a cutting action when the propeller is in use.  
   
   
       10 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the body portion has a guard positioned at one end of the body portion and proximate the propeller and the propeller has blades which are positioned sufficiently close to the guard to create a cutting action when the propeller is in use.  
   
   
       11 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the body portion has a guard positioned adjacent at least one of the inlet and outlet ends, the guard comprises a plurality of planar members which are configured to prevent fingers and toes of a person from contacting the propeller.  
   
   
       12 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the body portion has a guard positioned adjacent at least one of the inlet and outlet ends, the guard comprises a plurality of planar members which are configured to prevent fingers and toes of a person from extending past the planar members.  
   
   
       13 . A propeller housing for a watercraft comprising a body portion defining a chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end in which a propeller is positioned, the body portion has a guard positioned adjacent at least one of the inlet and outlet ends, the guard comprising a plurality of planar members which are configured to prevent fingers and toes of a person from contacting the propeller.  
   
   
       14 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the planar members are configured to prevent fingers and toes of a person from extending past the planar members.  
   
   
       15 . A propeller housing for a watercraft comprising a body portion defining a chamber having an inner wall, an inlet end and an outlet end in which a propeller is positioned, the propeller being spaced from the inner wall to define a gap, the gap having a width that is up to 25% of the diameter of the propeller.  
   
   
       16 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the width is from 1 to 15% of the diameter of the propeller.  
   
   
       17 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the width is from 3 to 10% of the diameter of the propeller.  
   
   
       18 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 15  wherein at least one of the inlet end and the outlet end of the body portion has members configured to at least partially straighten the flow of water flowing therepast.  
   
   
       19 . The propeller housing as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the members are planar members and each planar member has a length in the direction of flow that is from 30 to 70% of the transverse width of that planar member.  
   
   
       20 - 60 . (canceled)