Patent ID: 8202136
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a watercraft, the watercraft including an engine, a jet propulsion system operatively connected to the engine, the jet propulsion system including a reverse gate, and a steering assembly for steering the watercraft, the method comprising: determining if the steering assembly is turned; sensing an operating parameter of the watercraft, the operating parameter being indicative of an amount of thrust generated by the propulsion system; determining if the amount of thrust generated by the propulsion system is less than a predetermined amount of thrust by determining if the operating parameter of the watercraft is less than a predetermined value of the operating parameter; automatically moving the reverse gate to a lowered position in response to both: increasing a thrust produced by the jet propulsion system in order to control directional movement of the watercraft when: the reverse gate in the lowered position redirecting the thrust produced by the jet propulsion system toward a front of the watercraft.