Patent ID: 6302047
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
A retractable rudder assembly for use in steering a personal watercraft at a throttle-off position, the watercraft having a water jet drive including a throttle and a steerable water jet nozzle through which a pressurized water jet is passed by the jet drive at a throttle-on position for propelling and steering the watercraft, the nozzle having a water jet flow path defined therein, said rudder assembly comprising:a planar rudder affixed to an elongate shaft adapted to be rotatably mounted on the water jet nozzle;said rudder being biased into a normally extended position in which the rudder is adapted to extend away from the water jet drive nozzle for use in steering the watercraft at the throttle-off position; anda paddle affixed to said shaft and adapted to be positioned within the water jet flow path so that the force of the water jet at the throttle-on position striking the paddle--urges the rudder into a retracted position in which the rudder is adapted to be moved toward the water jet drive nozzle as the watercraft is propelled at the throttle-on position.