Self propelled personal water craft

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a self-propelled personal water craft including a parabolic hull. The hull has a bow, mid-section and stern. The mid-section has substantially reduced diameter compared with the bow and stern section defining an hour-glass hull shape. The hull including an upper portion and a lower portion, a hollow space is created between the upper and lower portions and defines a central portion. The lower portion includes structure for manipulating water drag. Additionally, the craft includes a motor member for propelling the craft. In an exemplary embodiment, the motor member includes an axial flow jet pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-propelled personal water craft, comprising:
 a hull having a bow, mid-section and stern, the mid-section having substantially reduced diameter compared with the bow and stern defining a hull shape, the hull including an upper portion and a lower portion, a hollow space is created between the upper and lower portions and defines a central portion;   the lower portion including structure for manipulating water drag as the craft travels through the water; and   a motor member for propelling the craft through the water.   
     
     
         2 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hull shape defines a parabolic shape. 
     
     
         3 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the parabolic hull shape further defines an hour glass shape. 
     
     
         4 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the hull has an exterior surface which contacts the water as the craft travels, and wherein the exterior surface has a middle portion includes structure for reducing the surface area in contact with the water during travel. 
     
     
         5 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the reduced diameter mid-section defines hips for creating variable resistance during steering while the craft travels through the water. 
     
     
         6 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion includes integrated chest and forearm support handles and throttle control allowing a user to operate the craft in the prone position. 
     
     
         7 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hull is made from lightweight materials. 
     
     
         8 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the motor member comprises direct drive jet propulsion. 
     
     
         9 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the motor member includes an axial flow jet pump powered by brushless electrical motor and a power supply. 
     
     
         10 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the motor member further includes a DC battery power source and a converter for converting from DC to AC. 
     
     
         11 . The water craft as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the upper portion of the hull includes a removable pad located over the bow and wherein the removable pad is attachable to the craft for towing a rescussee during travel through the water, the removable pad defining a sled.