Patent ID: 6101965
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A watercraft comprising a hull with an undersurface defining a tunnel at the rear end thereof and a longitudinal axis extending in a forward direction toward a bow of the watercraft and in a rearward direction toward a stern of the watercraft, a jet propulsion unit positioned at least in part within said tunnel for propelling said watercraft, a water intake duct communicating with said jet propulsion unit said water intake duct comprising an intake duct opening to receive water into said water intake duct, said intake opening comprising two sides and said intake duct opening being located forward of said ride plate, said jet propulsion unit having a discharge nozzle formed at the rear end thereof through which water is discharged for propelling said watercraft, a ride plate attached to the underside of said hull, the ride plate comprising a base plate located at least partially beneath said jet propulsion unit and at least two inclined side plates, said ride plate further comprising at least two continuous grooves extending from a forward most portion of the base plate to a rearward most portion of the base plate, each groove being defined between a pair of lateral edges formed on the underside of said base plate, and each groove being located on said base plate so at least one lateral edge of each groove is located farther from said longitudinal axis of said hull than one of said sides of said water intake duct opening which is adjacent to said edge.