Patent ID: 6695657
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: B63B,B63H,F02B

Abstract:
A watercraft comprising:a hull defining an operator's area; an engine having at least one air intake regulator being movable through a first range of opening positions from an idle position to a fully open position; an engine speed control operator remotely positioned relative to the engine and coupled to the air intake regulator, the engine speed control operator being movable between a first position and a second position; and an engine control system comprising a controller coupled to the air intake regulator to at least selectively control the air intake regulator, the controller configured to provide a first mode of engine operation, in which movement of the engine speed control operator between the first and second positions causes the air intake regulator to move through the first range of opening positions from the idle position to the fully open position, respectively, and at least a second mode of engine operation, in which movement of the engine speed control operator between the first and second positions caused the air intake regulator to move through a second range of opening positions, the second range of opening positions being less than the first range of opening positions and including an opening amount sufficient to propel the watercraft at a planing speed, and an engine modality selector in communication with a controller, the modality selector being selectable between at least two states corresponding to the at least two modes of engine operation provided by the controller, the modality selector configured to output a modality signal to the controller that is indicative of a desired mode of engine operation and the controller configured to control the engine in response to the modality signal, the modality selector being positioned in the operator's area such that the modality selector can be switched without removing a lanyard.