Abstract:
A surfboard-based powered water craft is propelled by gas or electric power plant. A water jet pump supplies water under pressure, which is exhausted through a steering nozzle. A steering shaft, carried by the surfboard-based body, pivots in response to movement of a steering arm. The steering arm pivots about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. The weight of the power plant is carried forward the center, whereby a rider on top of the surfboard based body tends to balance the weight of the power plant.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to powered personal watercraft, specifically to an improved drive and control system typically for surfboard-based watercraft.  
         BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
         [0003]    Surfboard-based powered personal watercraft have been developed and refined for over three decades. Today these watercraft are of increasing use, but an ideal drive and control system for same has not yet been provided. U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,347 to Dawson (1981) discloses a power operated surfboard with a gasoline engine and drive system mounted to the rear of the craft. A watercraft based on Dawson&#39;s design, tradename Surrlet, has been commercially produced and available for many years. The Surflet craft is considered a benchmark craft in the field and realized many inherent advantages to the surfboard-based powered watercraft. A refined Surftet craft is still commercially available, but it&#39;s design and function have kept it obscure relative to the personal watercraft market.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,529 to Montgomery (1996) discloses a high performance motorized water ski and a craft based on this design, tradename Powerski Jetboard, is soon to be commercially available. Montgomery&#39;s design realized many improvements on the Surfjet design and is considered the current benchmark in the field. The PowerSki Jetboard provides a relatively beautiful, high performance, high utility surfboard-based watercraft and the craft&#39;s improvements on the SurfJet are well documented and obvious. Montgomery&#39;s design still fails to realize many of the handling and overall performance advantages inherent to the surfboard-based hull it utilizes.  
           [0005]    Both the SurfJet and the PowerSki Jetboard designs utilize a drive design with the power-plant and drive located to the rear of their hull longitudinal center. This results in a watercraft with an unladen center of gravity that is also behind the hull longitudinal center. Relative to intended and true craft use, these rearward center of gravity designs are inherently unstable and performance limited and also interfere with rider/craft/water interface. This weight rear design also harms the the overall effciency and planing ability, or rising partially out of and gliding across the water ability, of these craft when ridden.  
           [0006]    The inherent instability of both the SurfJet and the PowerSki Jetboard is best demonstrated as these watercraft become airborne off a jump or wave on the surface of the water. Such jumping is a much desired aspect of many water sports including windsurfing, surfing, wakeboarding, and personal watercraft riding, often called Jet skiing. Both prior art craft provide a relatively light weight-loading, or ratio of craft relative lower surface area to net craft weight. Both craft provide a lighter loading, or more area-less weight, than a comparisson JetSki type watercraft. This lighter weight-loading provides for a craft with potentially higher overall efficiency and with the ability to jump higher off an equal wave, with other relevant factors being equal, than many typical powered personal watercraft. However due to their rearward weight bias, when the SurfJet and the PowerSki Jetboard are typically launched off a jump of more than a few feet, the rear of the craft will fall away and separate from the rider. It has been demonstrated that when jumped to sufficent height both craft will typically completely seperate from their rider and actually land into the water rear first. These prior art craft cannot provide for rider controlled landings of the higher jumps of which they are capable.  
           [0007]    In the sport of both wavesurfing and windsurfing a rider typically rides and maneuvers the craft while on the relatively flat upper surface, or deck, of the hull. In both sports said rider is most typically positioned towards the rear of the craft on the deck for optimal manuverability and control. This is illustrated in placement of mats, bindings, and other control enhancement devices on this rear deck area of both surfboards and windsurfboards. The Dawson and Montgomery designs both place the craft engine within the rear longitudinal half of their hulls. This arrangement does not provide for a rear deck as relatively flat as possible, nor a craft cross- section at the rear as relatively thin as possible, both critical to optimal rider/craft/water interface.  
           [0008]    Virtually all floating boat, surfboard, and personal watercraft hulls plane across and move thru the water most efficently when relatively flat or parallel to the water surface. The SurfJet and the Powerski Jetboard are sensitive to rider weight distribution due to their relative small size and water displacement. Both of these craft, as in surfboards, provide approximately equal shape, upper and lower hull surface area, and displacement of their hulls relative to their front and rear halves. The SurfJet and PowerSki Jetboard designs create a preponderance of weight at the crafts rear by placing the weight of both engine and drive, and typical rider to the rear. This preponderance of weight to the rear tends to tip these craft up in the front and push the rear down when they are floating in water. This tendancy away from the optimal flat and parellel hull to water surface relation introduces drag and decreases overall efficiency. The SurfJet and PowerSki Jetboard do not provide optimal weight distribution across their hulls for craft planing, overall efficiency, or overall effectiveness.  
           [0009]    The SurfJet and PowerSki Jetboard designs do not provide a mechanical means to steer the craft and are designed to turn via rider weight change only, as in surfing and windsurfing. This is impracticable in a powered personal watercraft due to the weight and size of a craft necessary to carry a typical rider. Both the SurfJet and Powerski Jetboard provide a fixed water jet at their rear which sends a high velocity stream of water from the rear of the craft. This high velocity stream provides not only thrust, but also directional stability to the craft. Only when in the water can this directional stability overcome the instability inherent in the SurfJet and PowerSki Jetboard rearward center of gravity designs. The high directional stability of these designs when underway in the water, combined with the extra weight necessary to power the craft equals a craft that cannot be effectively maneuvered or ridden in a way that emulates surfing or even Jet Skiing. This creates a ride that is in effect too stable and not challenging. To a proficent rider, the SurfJet and moreso the PowerSki Jetboard can offer a ride that is exciting based on speed only and, without benefit of a mechanical steering system, neither can fully utilize the high performance handling characteristics of the surfboard-based hulls they utilize. The limited performance generally, and the unusually high rider effort required for high craft performance specifically, have kept these watercraft from widespread use. These two prior art surfboard-based watercraft cannot provide an optimal surfboard-like ride or handling.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0010]    In accordance with the present invention a drive and control system for watercraft comprises a framework, typically integrated into a surfboard-based hull,that supports a powerplant and water jet drive systems in watertight compartments as needed. This drive and control system features a steering arm mounted pivotally on a vertical axis steering shaft, to control steering input, and horizontally hinged at it&#39;s base to allow said arm to adjust to position of rider. This steering arm is also provided with two handles and means to control powerplant and waterjet systems at the arms upper end.  
         Objects and Advantages Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the prior art craft described in the above patents, several objects and advantages of the present invention are;  
         [0011]    (a) to provide a watercraft of highest possible performance, overall efficiency, and overall utility;  
           [0012]    (b) to provide a watercraft which operates cleanly and quietly, with least possible vehicle emissions;  
           [0013]    (c) to provide a watercraft which is exciting, challenging, and requiring skill to ride and operate;  
           [0014]    (d) to provide a watercraft that is relatively stable and easy for beginning riders to learn to ride and operate;  
           [0015]    (e) to provide a watercraft which is capable of levels of performance and handling revolutionary to prior art craft of the field;  
           [0016]    (f) to provide a watercraft whose unladen center of gravity is located forward of craft longitudinal center;  
           [0017]    (g) to provide a watercraft which features a mechanical steering system designed for use by rider typically standing side stance to longitudinal axis of craft on the rear deck section;  
           [0018]    (h) to provide a watercraft which provides a means to control all pertinent drive and control systems from the upper steering arm, near steering arm handles;  
           [0019]    (i) to provide a watercraft whose integrated drive and control system, with minimal modification, is adaptable to the widest variety of watercraft hull types, including existing surfboard and windsurfboard hulls;  
           [0020]    (j) to provide a watercraft which utilizes many &#39;off the shelf or commercially produced and available parts and assemblies;  
           [0021]    (k) to provide a watercraft which can utilize the greatest amount of specialty performance or aftermarket parts for the craft&#39;s systems;  
           [0022]    (l) to provide a watercraft whose electric power system utilizes existing parts and technology, yet remains adapable to improved parts and technology;  
           [0023]    (m) to provide a watercraft whose additional embodiment internal combustion enginepower system utilizes existing parts and technology, yet remains adaptable to improved parts and technology;  
           [0024]    (n) to provide a watercraft which utilizes standard ‘JetSki’ watercraft type water jet pump and associated drive and control systems;  
           [0025]    (o) to provide a watercraft whose overall weight is as low as possible;  
           [0026]    (p) to provide a watercraft which operates as reliably as possible;  
           [0027]    (q) to provide a watercraft which is well suited for both private ownership and pleasure craft rental markets;  
           [0028]    (r) to provide a watercraft whose electric power system features a quick change battery pack exchange system;  
           [0029]    (s) to provide a watercraft whose additional embodiment internal combustion engine power system features electric start and other features common to powered personal watercraft. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.  
       DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 shows a side view of the drive and control system for watercraft in accordance with the present invention illustrating the manner in which the craft is used or ridden.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the basic framework of the drive and control system.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the basic framework of the drive and control system.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 shows a side view of the basic framework of the drive and control system.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 shows a top view of drive and control system integrated into a surfboard-based hull and executing a left turn.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 shows a top view of drive and control system integrated into a surfboard-based hull and executing a right turn.  
         [0037]    FIG  7  shows a side view of a general representation of drive and control system illustrating relative center of gravity.  
         [0038]    FIG  8  shows a bottom view of a general representation of drive and control system illustrating water jet pump and controls.  
         [0039]    FIG  9  shows a top view of preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]    FIG  10  shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]    FIG  11  shows a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]    FIG  12  shows a top view of the framework of additional embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0043]    FIG  13  shows a bottom view of the framework of additional embodiment of the present  
         [0044]    FIG  14  shows a top view of additional embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0045]    FIG  15  shows a side view of additional embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0046]    FIG  16  shows a bottom view of additonal embodiment of the present invention.  
                                             Reference Numerals In Drawings                                    20 framework   28 main cover hinges           21 fasteners   29 main compartment           22 front compartment   30 main compartment cover           23 front compartment cover   31 main cover latches           24 steering reinforcement   32 middle compartment           25 steering mounts   33 middle compartment cover           26 steering system passage   34 filled section           27 control line passage   35 motor mount bulkhead           36 rear compartment   68 pump driveshaft bearing           37 rear compartment cover   69 pump driveshaft           38 bearing mount bulkhead   70 driveshaft waterseal           39 waterseal mount bulkhead   71 nozzle trim           40 driveshaft passage   72 nozzle trim pivot           41 bottom hollow section   73 main shut-off contactor           42 grate mounts   74 shut-off knob           43 pump reinforcement   75 shut-off key           44 pump mounts   76 shut-off actuator seal           45 steering shaft   77 shut-off actuator           46 steering base   78 throttle potbox compartment           47 steering head unit   79 potbox compartment cover           48 lower steering arm   80 throttle potbox           49 steering arm hinge   81 potbox linkage           50 upper steering arm   82 throttle linkage passage           51 lower handle   83 battery tray           52 upper handle   84 battery           53 pump over   85 tray handle           54 intake grate   86 multi-function area           55 surfboard-based hull   87 cooling water outlet           56 steering linkage   88 cooling aparatus           57 water jet pump   89 motor controller           58 steering nozzle pivot   90 motor           59 steering nozzle   91 bilge pickup           60 speed control linkage   92 contactor support           61 trigger speed control   93 control line seal           62 trim control   94 throttle potbox wires           63 trim linkage   95 bilge line           64 general powerplant   96 cooling water line           65 general output shaft   97 pump cooling water outlet           66 coupling hub   98 pump bilge line inlet           67 flexible coupling   99 engine-powered framework           100 reserve fuel cell   116 engine           101 fuel cell filler cap   117 exhaust manifold           102 reserve cell rear bulkhead   118 waste water line           103 fuel valve   119 exhaust coupling           104 cell main connector   120 engine output hub           105 vent main connector   121 upper driveshaft           106 air intake   122 upper driveshaft bearing           107 exhaust pipe   123 starter battery           108 exhaust pipe jacket   124 electric starter motor           109 fuel feed   125 starter control lines           110 main cell front bulkhead   126 carburetor           111 main fuel cell   127 engine kill lines           112 tank pickup   128 throttle linkage           113 upper dnveshaft passage   129 starter switch           114 main cell rear bulkhead   130 dead-man kill switch           115 cooling manifold   131 kill switch wrist lanyard                      
 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
     FIGS.  1 - 11 —Preferred Embodiment  
       [0047]    A preferred embodiment of the drive and control system for watercraft of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (side view) as it may be used by a rear positioned standing rider. Refering to FIG. 1, the drive and control system is integrated into a surfboard-based hull  55  and the operator is holding handle  52  provided on steering arm  50 . The placement of system controls, typically at craft operator handle(s), as well as basic craft operation are well known to prior art craft of the field and will therefore not be discussed in detail here.  
         [0048]    Referring now to FIGS.  2 - 4  a framework of the preferred embodiment of the present invention  20  is shown in top, bottom, and side views. This framework provides a means of structual support for the drive and control system components and can be built into the hull of a craft specifically designed for this drive and control system. This framework can also be adapted to many existing watercraft hulls with minimal framework and watercraft modification. This framework is intended to be made as relatively small and light as possible, to allow its integration into a wide variety of watercraft types, yet still allow enough room to comfortably mount and house system components. This framework can be easily constructed of thin wood, epoxy-type glues, and fiberglass cloth. This framework can be constructed on its own and ‘dropped-in’ to an existing watercraft hull, or built into a hull constructed around the basic framework. Additionally this framework can be easily integrated into more advanced and easily mass-produced hollow shell hull designs and materials used extensively in JetSki type watercraft.  
         [0049]    Cover fasteners  21  are typically of screw-down or turn and lock type and provided at the corners of the covers. These fasteners are to be marine appropriate and made unobtrusive to the upper deck surface of the craft. Waterproof front compartment  22  is covered with front compartment cover  23  to provide watersealing at the top of the front compartment. Cover  23 , as with all compartment covers described below, allows service access to compartments and also serves as the upper deck surface of the craft which typically supports a standing operator. To provide high strength and thinness in this part, the covers are typically constructed primarily of fiberglass. A steering reinforcement  24  is provided which typically spans the longitudinal framework members near the top of the framework This reinforcement provides a reinforced mounting or support for the systems steering mechanism. Steering mounts  25  are provided in the steering reinforcement and are typically permanently mounted nut type and placed around steering system passage  26 . A control line passage  27  is provided to the rear of the steering system passage and these passages allow a waterproof passage of craft control lines and steering shaft from outside the hull to inside the waterproof compartments of the framework.  
         [0050]    Main cover hinges  28  typically consist of a female receptor in the framework at the top front of main compartment  29  and a male post or lip on the front of main compartment cover  30  The main cover hinges, together with the rear positioned main cover latches  31 , provide a means to quickly and repeatedly open and remove, and replace and re-waterseal the main compartment cover. As with cover fasteners, the cover hinges and latches are typically countersunk into the framework to not obtrude on the upper deck surface. Main compartment  29  is forward of typical craft hull longitudinal center to provide a unladen craft center of gravity also forward of craft longitudinal center. It is an object of the present invention that drive and control system components be placed so as to provide an optimal craft center of gravity placement within the front half of the craft. A middle compartment  32  is covered by middle compartment cover  33  and defined at the front by the main compartment. A filled section  34  provides an area for components and component lines to run from the waterproof compartments of the framework to the rear pump area. This filled area is typically filled with lightweight closed cell foam to permanently locate the component and component lines that are within this area.  
         [0051]    A motor mount bulkhead  35  divides middle compartment  32  and, rear compartment  36 , which is covered with rear compartment cover  37 . A bearing mount  38  is provided within the rear compartment and waterseal mount bulkhead  39  defines the rear of the compartment. Hatching is used in these drawings to illustrate hollow sections of the top and bottom of the framework. Driveshaft passage  40  connects the rear compartment to the bottom hollow section  41  and to the front of this section are intake mounts  42 . The pump reinforcement  43  spans the longitudinal framework and provides pump mounts  44  and typically defines a top-rear section of the bottom hollow section.  
         [0052]    A steering shaft  45  is held in steering base  46  which serves as both bearing and mounting for the shaft. A steering head unit  47  is connected to the top of the shaft and lower steering arm  48  to the bottom of the shaft. The steering head unit provides for steering arm hinge  49  which connects upper steering arm  50  to the head unit. Lower handle  51  and upper handle  52  are at the upper end of the upper steering arm. A pump cover  53  and integrated intake grate  54  effectively cover bottom hollow section  41 . The pump cover and intake grate, and many more parts, are easily adaptable from similar parts common to JetSki type watercraft.  
         [0053]    FIGS.  5 - 8  show a simple and basic illustration of the present invention to better illustrate the major functions of the invention. A surfboard-based hull  55  is typically constructed of fiber-glass over a foam core. The large displacement and size as well as the handling characteristics and refined hydrodynamics of windsurfboard hulls make them well suited for integration with the drive and control system of the present invention. Steering linkage  56  links lower steering arm  48  to water jet pump  57 , specifically to steering nozzle  59  which pivots on steering nozzle pivot  58 . FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the different positions of the upper and lower steering arms, steering linkage, and steering nozzle when executing a left and right turn respectively. The pivoting steering arm allows a rider to effectively control the steering of the craft while in a side stance at the rear of the craft, the most natural surfing position. The crafts two handles also provide easy two handed opperation and primary and secondary placement of drive and control system controls. Referring to FIG. 7, a speed control linkage  60  links trigger speed control  61  to general powerplant  64  to provide a means to control craft speed from upper handle  52 . A trim control  62  typically of locking twist-grip type connects to trim linkage  63  and provides a means to control craft trim from lower handle  51 . A general output shaft  65  transfers drive power to a flexible coupling  67  via coupling hub  66  and on to pump driveshaft  69 . The pump driveshaft is supported by support bearing  68  and runs through driveshaft waterseal  70 . The driveshaft waterseal mounts to waterseal bulkhead  39  and water seals the waterproof component compartments of the framework from the flooded driveshaft passage  40  and bottom hollow section  41  as the spinning driveshaft passes through these areas. A nozzle trim  71  pivots on nozzle trim pivot  72  and is actuated by trim control  62  via trim linkage  63 . A water jet trim control system is provided on many current JetSki watercraft but neither prior art craft of the field described above utilize this advantageous system. FIG. 7 also illustrates the crafts forward of longitudinal center center of gravity and the movement of upper steering arm  50  to adjust to rider position. FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the basic water jet pump drive and controls  
         [0054]    [0054]FIGS. 9, 10, and  11  show a top, side, and bottom view respectively of the prefered electric motor-based embodiment of the present invention. This electric motor-based power system realizes many advantages including no vehicle emmissons, almost silent craft operation, use of existing technology, added safety, and high performance. This power system is used extensively in the relatively new field of high performance electric go-karts. These systems are designed for high proformance, ease of use, reliability, cost effectiveness etc., and are well suited for use in the drive and control system of the present invention. Because both the electric motor-based power system shown here and the engine-based power system of the additional embodiment are common, many of the working components of each have been ommited for clarity. A main shut-off contactor  73  disconnects main power when shut-off knob  74  is depressed. Shut-off key  75  provides a means to lockout system power. Front compartment cover  23  provides shut-off actuator seal  76  which supports and seals shut-off actuator  77 . When the cover is in place this actuator provides a waterproof and unobtrusive to the upper deck means to actuate shut-off contactor  73 . A throttle potbox compartment  78  is provided in upper steering arm  50  and covered with potbox compartment cover  79 . This compartment provides a waterproof housing for throttle potbox  80 , or potentiometer, which is actuated by trigger speed control  61  via throttle potbox linkage  81  which utilizes throttle linkage passage  82 . A battery tray  83  holds three battery  84  sets and is provided with tray handle  85  to allow easy removal and replacement of battery sets. Battery  84  is shown as small size sealed deep cycle  12  volt battery for a high performance system but system voltages, battery size, capacity, output, and battery sets can be varied to meet a wide variety of performance parameters. A multi-function area  86  is provided between the illustrated battery trays and serves as control line and power line passage as well as battery quick disconnect plug (not shown) storage. A water cooling outlet  87  is provided for expelling spent cooling water from cooling apparatus  88  from the craft hull. The cooling apparatus is a means to cool heat sensitive electrical and mechanical components including motor controller  89 , motor  90 , and support bearing  68 , although for clarity only the motor controller is shown as serviced by cooling aparatus. A bilge pickup  91  is provided with a one-way flow control valve and is typically located within rear compartment  36  and picks up unwanted water that penetrates the waterproof compartments of the framework. The separate compartments are provided with a means to drain unwanted water towards the bilge pickup for expullsion from the hull.  
         [0055]    Referring now to FIG. 10 contactor support  92  locates the main shut-off contactor  73  in front compartment  22 . A control line seal  93  waterseals lines from the upper steering arm  50 , including throttle potbox wires  94 , as they pass into front compartment  22 . Bilge line  95  feeds water from bilge pickup  91  to pump bilge line inlet  98 . Cooling line  96  feeds water from pump cooling water outlet  97  to cooling aparatus  88 . Both bilge line  95  and cooling water line  96  are typically built permanently into the framework to provide line outlet fittings close to the component the line serves. A section of flexible removable hose can connect these outlet fittings to the components served allowing easy component service.  
       FIGS.  12 - 16 —Additional Embodiment  
       [0056]    [0056]FIGS. 12 and 13 show a top and side view, respectively, of the basic framework of an additional internal combustion engine-based power system embodiment of the drive and control system of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows an engine powered framework  99  very similar to the preferred embodiment electric drive-based framework. A reserve fuel cell  100  is typically constructed of fiberglass and built into a section of front compartment  22  and capped with fuel cell filler cap  101 . The reserve tank is defined at its rear by reserve cell rear bulkhead  102 . A fuel valve  103  is typically provided on reinforcement  24  and controls fuel flow through cell main connector line  104 . A cell vent connector  105  connects to the top of reserve fuel cell  100 . Air intake  106  is typically provided on main compartment cover  30  and provides waterproof combustion air intake. Exhaust pipe  107  and exhaust jacket  108  are built into the framework and typically run from main compartment  29  to bottom hollow section  41 . The exhaust pipe provides a one-way flow valve to prevent water intake, and the exhaust jacket serves as heat insulation for the exhaust pipe as the pipe passes through the framework The exhaust jacket may be constructed of insulating material or designed as a water fed cooling jacket as illustrated.  
         [0057]    A fuel feed  109  fitting is provided on main cell front bulkhead  110  which defines the front of main fuel cell  111 . The main fuel cell is of similar construction to reserve fuel cell  100  and features a tank pickup  112  which is flexible, serviceable, and provides for a fuel filter. The main fuel cell is designed to place the majority of fuel weight, which can vary as fuel is burned, to a central rearward position most neutral to craft handling. A upper driveshaft passage  113  is provided through the main fuel cell which is defined at the rear by main cell rear bulkhead  114 . Referring now to FIGS. 14, 15, and  16  which show a top, side, and bottom view, respectively, of engine-based additional embodiment of the drive and control system of the present invention integrated into a surfboard-based hull  55 . A cooling manifold  115  distributes cooling water from pump cooling water outlet  97  to engine  116 . The engine is shown as a horizontally opposed four cylinder four-stroke engine with dual exhaust as this design is well suited for use in the drive and control system of the present invention. Many exsisting engine types are easily adapted to this drive and control system by modifing size and shape of waterproof component compartments, deleting one exhaust pipe, providing for an engine pull-starter, etc.. It is an object of the present invention to provide a high performance gasoline engine power system that is as relatively clean, quiet, and efficient in operation as possible. An exhaust manifold  117  gathers engine exhaust and is linked to exhaust pipe  107  with a flexible exhaust coupling  119 . This coupling allows for engine vibration and is common to JetSki type watercraft and may be water cooled by engine waste water line  118 . The waste water line can also feed cooling water to the exhaust pipe jacket  108  and other heat sensitive parts and systems. An engine output hub  120  is typically splined to accecpt a ‘floating’ upper driveshaft  121  which transfers power to flexible coupling  67  which sends it to pump driveshaft  69  and ultimately to the water jet pump  57  impeller to produce thrust. An upper driveshaft bearing  122  is mounted to main cell rear bulkhead  114  and supports the upper driveshaft. Referring now to FIG. 15 a engine starter battery  123  is provided to power electric starter motor  124  whose starter control lines  125  typically run to upper steering arm  50  and to starter switch  129  to operator to start the craft&#39;s engine from the upper steering arm near handle  51 . A carburetor  126  is shown as actuated by trigger speed control  61  via throttle linkage  128  to provide engine speed control. Engine kill lines  127  typically run from engine ignition to dead-man kill switch  130  which disables the ignition in the absence of kill switch wrist lanyard  131  or by push-button on the switch. FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the above additional embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, FIGS.  12 - 16  omit working parts of the drive and control system that are common and well-known such as fuel lines, vibration isolating engine mounts, and engine electrical systems.  
       Advantages  
       [0058]    From the description above, a number of advantages of my drive and control system for watercraft become evident;  
         [0059]    (a) A unique steering system allows an operator to effectively steer the craft while remaining balanced in a natural surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and wakeboarding sideways stance.  
         [0060]    (b) A forward of craft longitudinal center craft center of gravity provides a craft that is inherently stabe in water and when airborne.  
         [0061]    (c) Because the majority of the craft unladed weight is toward the front of the craft, the rear mounted water jet pump, through its steering nozzle, effectively steers or pushes this weight when turning which provides for a light craft ‘feel’ not provided by prior art craft of the field.  
         [0062]    (d) The steering systems rear mounted directional thrust water jet steering system provides unprecedented levels of craft performance and handling to prior art craft of the field.  
         [0063]    (e) The steering systems allow a rider to ‘snap’ or ‘whip’ the rear of the craft around in a turn, a ‘move’ or manuevuer common to the sports of surfing and JetSkiing but not provided by prior art craft of the field.  
         [0064]    (f) The drive and control system realizes numerous objects and advantages of prior art craft of the field including overall efficiency, ease of use and operation, and utility.  
         [0065]    (g) The intensive commercial promotions of the above described prior art craft of the field suggests a widespread market and use of a high performance craft of this type.  
         [0066]    (h) The use of many proven, refined, and commercially avalilable parts and systems provide reliability, performance, and manufacturing advantages.  
         [0067]    (i) The use of a typical JetSki water jet pump provides a refined and high efficiency water drive system which is critical to craft performance.  
         [0068]    (j) The JetSki water jet pump provides steering and trim controls and water outlet and intake lines.  
         [0069]    (k) The drive and control system of the present invention provides functional systems for all controls and systems of the typical JetSki water jet pump.  
         [0070]    (l) The preferred and additional embodiment of the present invention allow a proficent operator to ‘slide’ the craft across the water, often sideways to the direction of travel, a manuever common to high performance JetSkiing.  
         [0071]    (m) The natural balance of craft and rider center of gravity provides for manuevers such as ‘ollies’ or rider induced jumping of the craft above the surface of flat water through ‘weighting’ and ‘un-weighting’ of the standing rider.  
         [0072]    (n) The drive and control systems weight forward design provides controlled and gentle landings of relatively very high and far craft jumps.  
         [0073]    (o) The revolutionary advances in craft performance and handling provided by the drive and control system allow a new performance envelope, similar to surfing and JetSkiing, to be explored by the rider of a craft based on this design.  
         [0074]    (p) The preferred electric motor-based embodiment of the present invention provides a craft that is virtually silent and non-polluting in operation.  
         [0075]    (q) The preferred electric motor-based embodiment of the present invention provides a craft that can be utilized in many eco-sensitive environments where the use of engine-based craft are increasingly restricted.  
       Operation—FIG.  1   
       [0076]    The basic operation of the preferred and additional embodiment of the drive and control system of the present invention is similar to the operation of the prior art craft of the field, the SurfJet and the PowerSki Jetboard. The flexible cable or rope style handles of these craft are replaced with a piviotally mounted and hinged rigid upper steering arm  50  of the present invention. The steering arm  50  of the present invention is provided with two handles and the upper handle  52  is the primary operator handle and similar in function to the handle systems of the Surrlet and PowerSki Jetboard. As in the Surfjet and PowerSki Jetboard, an operator of the present invention controls speed and engine kill function from this upper handle. The present invention additionally provides steering control through side to side movement of the upper handle  52 , and water jet pump trim control  62  on the secondary lower handle  51 . The additional engine-based embodiment of the present invention also provides engine starter switch  129  near lower handle  51  and dead-man kill switch  130  near upper handle  52 . Kill switch wrist lanyard  131  is common to JetSki watercraft and actuates kill switch  130  when the craft and operator separate. The drive and control system for watercraft of the present invention is designed to be a self-contained unit adaptable to many watercraft hull types. FIG. 1 illustrates the additional engine-based embodiment of the present invention integrated into a surfboard-based hull  55  as it may be typically used or ridden. To steer the craft the rider typically moves upper handle  52  and/or lower handle  51  to the left to execute a right turn shown in FIG. 6, and to the right to execute a left turn shown in FIG. 5. The rider typically moves upper handle  52  with one forward hand while standing side-stance on the rear deck of the craft shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 7 shows how the upper steering arm  50  pivots on steering arm hinge  49  to allow the rider to swing the arm and handles from off the deck to past the hinge and toward the front of the craft. The function and use of the majority of the parts and systems of the drive and power systems of the present invention are common and well-known and will not be discussed in detail here.  
       Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope  
       [0078]    Accordingly, the reader will see that the drive and control system for watercraft of this invention can be used to closely approximate the performance and handling of surfboard-based craft powered, by waves and wind, in a self-powered watercraft. In addition, the electric motor-based embodiment of this invention provides a high performance craft that is clean, quiet, reliable, and easy to use and manufacture. The additional engine-based embodiment provides a craft of highest proformance, ease of use, and utilization of existing technology and parts. Furthermore, the drive and control system for watercraft has the additional advantages in that  
         [0079]    it permits for both an electric-motor based and a engine-based embodiment of the drive and control system which predominantly use existing technology and parts;  
         [0080]    it permits a self-contained and waterproof drive and control system easily adapted to a wide variety of existing as well as specificity designed watercraft hull types;  
         [0081]    it allows for a surfboard-based craft with a steering system designed for use by a rider in the natural surfing side stance and typical rear standing position on the craft;  
         [0082]    it provides a craft that is safe to both rider(s), and swimmers or bathers;  
         [0083]    it provides a craft more efficient and easier to transport and use than the majority of personal watercraft currently available;  
         [0084]    it provides a craft capable of performance, handling, and enjoyment by both rider and spectator that is revolutionary to the field of personal watercraft.  
         [0085]    it provides a craft whose revolutionary capabilities allow it to gain the wide-spread use and manufacture not provided by prior art surfboard-based powered watercraft of the field.  
         [0086]    While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of a preferred and additional embodiment thereof. Many other variations based on this invention are possible. For example, the drive and control system can be integrated into a variety of watercraft hulls including canoes, lightweight inflatable pontoon boat with seat(s), or ‘catarafts’, inflatable and standard construction boat hulls, JetSki type watercraft, etc.  
         [0087]    Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the following claims and their legal equivalents. Additionally, this document is in reference to U.S. Patent and Trademark Disclosure Documents 364072 to Burnham ( 1994 ), 413979 to Burnham ( 1997 ), and 445466 to Burnham ( 1998 ).