System for mounting a motorized cassette to a watercraft body

Abstract

A system for mounting a motorized cassette to a watercraft body comprises a mounting assembly configured to releasably secure the system to the watercraft body, a housing, a tiller, and a motorized cassette. The housing includes a receiving space and the motorized cassette is configured to be at least partially inserted into the receiving space. Manipulation of the tiller causes rotation of the housing relative to the mounting assembly such that the tiller can be used to steer the watercraft body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for propelling a watercraft, the system comprising:
 a mounting assembly configured to couple the system to a watercraft body;   a motorized cassette attached to and offset from the mounting assembly, the motorized cassette enclosing an electric drive system comprising at least one electric motor, the motorized cassette having a substantially planar surface with at least one water intake port and at least one water exhaust port disposed thereon, the at least one water intake port and at least one water exhaust port in fluid communication with the electric drive system; and   a tiller, wherein manipulation of the tiller causes rotation of the motorized cassette relative to the mounting assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motorized cassette is coupled to a housing having a receiving space dimensioned to receive the motorized cassette. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the receiving space includes at least one protrusion extending into the receiving space, the protrusion configured to engage the motorized cassette so as to inhibit movement of the motorized cassette relative to the housing in at least one direction. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises a latch configured to releasably secure the cassette relative to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motorized cassette is coupled to the tiller by a steering column. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water exhaust port includes a curved section shaped to create a Coanda effect on a water jet exiting the exhaust port. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motorized cassette comprises at least one battery. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electric motor is configured to propel the watercraft in at least a first direction relative to a body of water. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motorized cassette comprises an impeller. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the impeller is positioned in a flow housing. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the impeller is coupled to one portion of a shaft, wherein another portion of the shaft is coupled to the motor. 
     
     
         12 . A watercraft comprising:
 a mounting assembly coupled to a watercraft body;   a motorized cassette attached to and offset from the mounting assembly, the motorized cassette containing an electric drive system comprising at least one electric motor and a substantially planar surface having at least one water intake port and at least one water exhaust port disposed thereon, the at least one water intake port and at least one water exhaust port in fluid communication with the electric drive system; and   a tiller, wherein manipulation of the tiller causes rotation of the motorized cassette relative to the mounting assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The watercraft of  claim 12 , wherein the motorized cassette is positioned such that a bottom surface thereof is less than three inches below the waterline of the watercraft. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft of  claim 12 , wherein the motorized cassette is positioned such that a bottom surface thereof is less than one inch below the waterline of the watercraft. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft of  claim 12 , wherein the motorized cassette can rotate to propel the watercraft in any direction over the water surface. 
     
     
         16 . The watercraft of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one water exhaust port includes a curved section shaped to create a Coanda effect on a water jet exiting the exhaust port. 
     
     
         17 . A system for propelling a watercraft comprising:
 a mounting assembly; and   a housing offset from the mounting assembly and coupled to a tiller such that manipulation of the tiller causes rotation of the housing relative to the mounting assembly, the housing including a downward facing receiving space configured to receive a motorized cassette inserted from below, the motorized cassette having a substantially planar bottom surface having at least one water intake port and at least one water exhaust port disposed thereon.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the receiving space includes at least one protrusion extending at least partially into the receiving space, the protrusion configured to be received by the motorized cassette. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a latch configured to releasably secure the cassette relative to the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the mounting assembly including a bracket configured to secure the system to a watercraft body.