Patent ID: 6652333
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
A steering system for steering a PWC during a forward movement of said PWC when a high velocity water jet of said water craft is cut-off, said steering system comprising a rudder, said rudder being automatically movable to an elevated non-operative rudder position by said water jet during a normal operation of said water craft and automatically movable by gravity without assistance to a lowered operative rudder position when said water jet is cut off during a forward movement of said PWC, said rudder mounted on a rear of said water craft for rotation about a horizontal axis from said lowered operative rudder state to said elevated non-operative state by an impingement of said water jet on a baffle of said rudder and having a mass which, in itself with hydrodynamic forces, is sufficient for overcoming a hydraulic drag of said rudder to rotate said rudder downwardly about said horizontal axis when said water jet is cut-off; a means for mounting said rudder; and a means for rotating said rudder about a vertical axis during said operative state.