Boat Steering Latch

Abstract

A latch for a motor boat steering stick. Also, a motor boat including a stick steering system and latch. The latch includes a base portion directly attached to or continuous with the boat hall and a movable portion winch is selectively positionable so as to engage with the steering stick when needed and to disengage when not needed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A latch far use with a stick steering system tor a boat, said latch comprising:
 a base portion fixedly attachable to said boat,   a movable portion attached to said base portion,   said movable portion being movable relative to said base portion and selectively positionable in at least an engagement position and a disengagement position, and   said movable portion comprising a fork for engaging the steering stick when the movable portion is in said engagement position.   
     
     
         2 . The latch of  claim 1 , wherein said movable portion is attached to said base portion by a hinge such that the movable portion is rotatably movable between said engagement position and said disengagement position. 
     
     
         3 . A stick steering system for a boat with a motor, said system comprising:
 a steering stick,   a cable for connecting said steering stick and the motor, such that when said steering stick moves in a direction parallel to a length the boat, the boat motor moves correspondingly in a direction parallel to the beam of the boat;   a latch comprising:
 a base portion fixedly attachable to said boat, 
 a movable portion attached to said base portion, 
 said movable portion being movable relative to said base portion and selectively positionable in at least an engagement position and a disengagement position, 
 said movable portion comprising a fork which engages said steering slick when said movable portion is in said engagement position, 
   wherein said steering stick is prevented, from moving In said direction parallel to a length of the boat when engaged by said fork.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said movable portion is attached to said base portion by a hinge such that the movable portion is rotatably movable between said engagement position and said disengagement position. 
     
     
         5 . A boat, comprising:
 a hull having a stem and a stem,   a motor attached to the stern of said hull,   a stick steering system comprising:
 a steering stick, 
 a cable connecting said steering stick and said motor, such that when said steering stick moves in a direction parallel to a length of the boat, the boat motor moves a corresponding distance in a direction parallel to the beam of the boat; and 
   a latch comprising:
 a base portion fixedly attached to said boat, 
 a movable portion, attached to said base portion, 
 said movable portion being movable relative to said base portion and selectively positionable in at least an engagement position and a disengagement position, 
 said movable portion comprising a fork which engages said steering stick when said movable portion is in said engagement position, 
   wherein said steering slick is prevented from moving in said direction parallel to a length of the boat when engaged by said fork.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said movable portion is attached to said base portion by a hinge such that the movable portion is rotatably movable between said engagement position and said disengagement position.