Motorized watercraft system with interchangeable motor module

Abstract

A personal watercraft body comprises a recess configured to receive similarly shaped cassettes. A first cassette may be motorized to propel the body relative to a body of water. A second cassette may be non-motorized and may include a storage space therein for storing personal items. An insert may be disposed between the cassettes and the recess to orient and fit the cassettes within the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A personal watercraft comprising:
 a top surface;   a bottom surface comprising a first recess, wherein the first recess extends generally toward the top surface; and   a cassette disposed at least partially within the first recess.   
     
     
         2 . The personal watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the cassette comprises at least one motor. 
     
     
         3 . The personal watercraft of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one motor is configured to propel the personal watercraft in at least a first direction relative to a body of water. 
     
     
         4 . The personal watercraft of  claim 2 , wherein the cassette comprises an impeller. 
     
     
         5 . The personal watercraft of  claim 4 , wherein the impeller is positioned in a flow housing. 
     
     
         6 . The personal watercraft of  claim 5 , wherein the impeller is coupled to one portion of a shaft, wherein another portion of the shaft is coupled to the motor. 
     
     
         7 . The personal watercraft of  claim 6 , wherein the shaft is coupled to the motor through a bellows coupler. 
     
     
         8 . The personal watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein the cassette comprises at least one battery. 
     
     
         9 . The personal watercraft of  claim 8 , wherein the cassette comprises at least one motor controller. 
     
     
         10 . The personal watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the personal watercraft is a surfboard. 
     
     
         11 . The personal watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface further comprises a second recess. 
     
     
         12 . The personal watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein the second recess comprises a fin box. 
     
     
         13 . The personal watercraft of  claim 12 , further comprising a fin disposed at least partially within the fin box. 
     
     
         14 . The personal watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert disposed at least partially between the cassette and the first recess. 
     
     
         15 . The personal watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein the cassette is removably coupled to the insert.