Patent Publication Number: US-11643175-B2

Title: Personal watercraft

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a personal watercraft. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     A personal watercraft includes an upwardly opening storage formed in the body of the watercraft. Such a personal watercraft is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,742. In the personal watercraft of U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,742, a storage is formed in a region anterior to a handle and located at the center of this region in the width direction of the body of the watercraft. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A personal watercraft according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a watercraft body including a hull and a deck covering an upper portion of the hull; a handle for steering maneuver; and a steering shaft extending from the handle to the watercraft body, the steering shaft being pivotable relative to the watercraft body in response to the steering maneuver performed using the handle, wherein the deck includes a side-opening storage recessed inward to accommodate items, the side-opening storage having at least one opening facing outward in a width direction of the watercraft body. 
     The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a personal watercraft according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view of a front portion of the personal watercraft of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view taken along the line of  FIG.  2    and showing a side-opening storage and its vicinity in the personal watercraft of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view showing a right opening of the side-opening storage and its vicinity in the personal watercraft of  FIG.  1   , and  FIG.  4 B  illustrates a horizontal component and a vertical component of a direction of a pivot axis L 1  shown in  FIG.  4 A . 
         FIG.  5 A  is a perspective view showing a lock included in a lid of the side-opening storage of  FIG.  4 A  and a retainer included in the deck, and  FIG.  5 B  is a plan view showing the inside of the lid of  FIG.  5 A  as viewed in the direction of the arrow D 1 . 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view showing the side-opening storage of  FIG.  4 A  with the lock and the retainer in engagement. 
         FIG.  7 A  illustrates the lock, the retainer, and a disengaging structure with the lock and the retainer in engagement as shown in  FIG.  6   , and  FIG.  7 B  illustrates the lock, the retainer, and the disengaging structure with the lock and the retainer disengaged by the disengaging structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions are defined herein as those based on the viewpoint of a rider (operator) of a personal watercraft who sits on a seat of the watercraft. The left-right direction and the front-rear direction are defined with respect to a horizontal plane in which the personal watercraft is located when moored at rest on water. 
       FIG.  1    is a partially cutaway side view of a personal watercraft  1  according to an exemplary embodiment. The personal watercraft  1  is operated by a rider gripping a handle bar and ejects water rearward through a water jet pump driven by a prime mover mounted on a watercraft body. Referring to  FIG.  1   , the personal watercraft  1  includes a watercraft body  2 , and the watercraft body  2  includes a hull  3  and a deck  4  covering the upper portion of the hull  3 . The personal watercraft  1  is a sitting-type watercraft having the watercraft body  2  equipped with a seat  5  on which the rider and another user sit in a straddling position. The watercraft body  2  includes an internal space, in which an engine E is accommodated as the prime mover. 
     The engine E includes an output shaft  6  extending toward the rear of the watercraft body  2 . The output shaft  6  has an output end connected to a propeller shaft  8  via a coupler  7 . A water jet pump P is disposed in the rear of the hull  3  and located at the center in the left-right direction. The water jet pump P includes a pump shaft  9 , to which the propeller shaft  8  is connected. Thus, the pump shaft  9  rotates in conjunction with rotation of the output shaft  6 . An impeller  10  is mounted on the pump shaft  9 , and a stator vane  11  is disposed behind the impeller  10 . A tubular pump casing  12  is mounted around the impeller  10  to enclose the impeller  10 . 
     A water inlet  13  opens at the bottom of the watercraft body  2 . The water inlet  13  is in communication with the pump casing  12  through a water passage  14 . To the pump casing  12  is connected a pump nozzle  15  disposed in the rear of the watercraft body  2 . The pump nozzle  15  has a diameter that decreases from front to rear, and an ejection orifice opens at the rear end of the pump nozzle  15 . To the election orifice of the pump nozzle  15  is connected a steering nozzle  16 , which is swingable to the left and right. 
     In the personal watercraft  1 , water drawn into the hull  3  through the water inlet  13  located at the bottom of the hull  3  is pressurized and accelerated by rotational power of the impeller  10  of the water jet pump P driven by the engine E. The flow of water is adjusted by the stator vane  11  and ejected vigorously rearward through the ejection orifice of the pump nozzle  15  and the steering nozzle  16 . Thus, the personal watercraft  1  obtains propulsion power using a reaction force produced by water ejected from the water jet pump P to the outside through the steering nozzle  16 . 
     A handle  19  for steering maneuver is disposed on a front portion of the deck  4 . The handle  19  is gripped by the rider. The handle  19  is fixedly connected to the steering shaft  20 . The steering shaft  20  is pivotally supported by the watercraft body  2  with the aid of a bearing (not illustrated). Thus, the steering shaft  20  provides a connection between the handle  19  and the watercraft body  2 . The steering shaft  20  extends downward from the handle  19 . In the present embodiment, the steering shaft  20  is inclined with respect to the watercraft body  2  in such a manner that the upper end of the steering shaft  20  is posterior to the lower end of the steering shaft  20 . 
     A steering cable  21  is attached to the vicinity of the lower end of the steering shaft  20 . Thus, the handle  19  is connected to the steering nozzle  16  via the steering shaft  20  and the steering cable  21 . The steering nozzle  16  swings to the left and right in conjunction with tilting movement of the handle  19  to the left and right. 
     The handle  19  is equipped with an accelerator (not illustrated). The rider can accelerate or decelerate the watercraft to a desired degree by operating the accelerator. By operating the handle  19 , the rider can choose the direction in which the watercraft body  2  moves. Thus, the rider can maneuver the watercraft body  2  by operating the handle  19  and the accelerator. 
     The deck  4  includes a side-opening storage  22 . The side-opening storage  22  of the deck  4  is provided as a storage space. Various items can be placed in the side-opening storage  22 . The presence of the side-opening storage  22  improves the user-friendliness of the personal watercraft  1 . The side-opening storage  22  is located around the steering shaft  20  in the deck  4 . The side-opening storage  22  has openings  23  facing outward in the width direction of the watercraft body  2 . In the present embodiment, the side-opening storage  22  of the deck  4  is provided as an inwardly recessed storage space, and the openings  23  are located at the opposite outer sides of the side-opening storage  22  in the width direction. 
     The deck  4  further includes an upper-opening storage  47  anterior to the side-opening storage  22 . The upper-opening storage  47  is an inwardly recessed portion of the deck  4 . A hatch cover  49  is configured to cover and uncover the upper-opening storage  47 . The upper-opening storage  47  is provided as a storage space in which various items can be placed, and this storage space has an opening  48  facing upward. 
     The hatch cover  49  is disposed above the upper-opening storage  47  to cover the opening  48  of the upper-opening storage  47 . The opening  48  of the upper-opening storage  47  extends obliquely rearward and upward, so that the height at which the opening  48  is located increases from front to rear. The hatch cover  49  is pivotally connected at its edge portion to the deck  4  by a hinge, the edge portion being anterior to and below the opening  48  of the upper-opening storage  47 . When opened, the hatch cover  49  pivots about the connected edge portion anterior to and below the opening  48  of the upper-opening storage  47 , and another edge portion of the hatch cover  49  that is opposite to the connected edge portion in the front-rear direction moves upward. When closed, the hatch cover  49  pivots about the connected edge portion relative to the upper opening storage  47  in a direction opposite to that in which the hatch cover  49  pivots when opened; namely, the other edge portion opposite to the connected edge portion in the front-rear direction moves downward toward the opening  48 . 
     Since the side-opening storage  22  is provided in the deck  4  as a storage space which opens in the horizontal direction of the watercraft body, the rider or any other user on board can use the side-opening storage  22  for storage of items. Additionally, for example, when the personal watercraft  1  is positioned alongside the land, a person on the land can easily transfer items to and from the side-opening storage  22  without having to get on the personal watercraft  1 . Thus, the presence of the side-opening storage  22  improves the user-friendliness of the personal watercraft  1  for not only the users on board the personal watercraft  1  but also the person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1 . The deck  4  further includes the upper-opening storage  47  in addition to the side-opening storage  22 ; that is, the deck  4  includes a plurality of storage portions in each of which items can be placed. The inclusion of the plurality of storage portions allows for storage of a large amount of items, thus further improving the user-friendliness of the personal watercraft  1  for various users including the rider, the other user on board the personal watercraft  1 , and the person in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the deck  4  is configured to extend in the front-rear direction of the watercraft body  2  in such a manner that the height of the deck  4  increases rearward from its front end to a point immediately anterior to the steering shaft  20 . Thus, the highest point of the deck  4  is immediately anterior to the steering shaft  20 . The side-opening storage  22  is configured to include the region of the deck  4  that is located around the highest point. 
     Lids  24  are disposed outward of the side-opening storage  22  in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  to cover the openings  23  of the side-opening storage  22 . The lids  24  include a left lid  24   a  configured to cover a left opening  23   a  of a left space  22   a  and a right lid  24   b  configured to cover a right opening  23   b  of a right space  22   b . Each of the left and right lids  24   a  and  24   b  is configured to, when opened, pivot outward in the width direction relative to the deck  4  about a pivot axis L 1  described in detail later. Each of the left and right lids  24   a  and  24   b  is configured to, when closed, pivot inward in the width direction relative to the deck  4  about the pivot axis L 1 . Each of the left and right lids  24   a  and  24   b  is configured such that the lid  24  fully opened does not project outward in the width direction from the watercraft body  2 . A side mirror  25  is mounted on each lid  24 . 
       FIG.  2    is a plan view of a front portion of the personal watercraft  1  in which the right lid  24   b  (one of the two lids  24  mounted respectively on the opposite outer sides of the deck  4  in the width direction) is open.  FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the personal watercraft  1  taken along a line dividing the personal watercraft  1  in two at its center in the width direction.  FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view of the personal watercraft  1  for illustrating the right lid  24   b  (one of the two lids  24  mounted respectively on the opposite outer sides of the deck  4  in the width direction).  FIG.  4 B  illustrates horizontal and vertical components of the direction of the pivot axis L 1  of  FIG.  4 A  about which the right lid  24   b  pivots. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the side-opening storage  22  serving as a storage space includes the left space  22   a  having the left opening  23   a  facing leftward in the width direction, the right space  22   b  having the right opening  23   b  facing rightward in the width direction, and a central space  22   c  located at the center of the side-opening storage  22  in the width direction. In the present embodiment, a handle post  52 , which will be described in detail later, is interposed between the left and right spaces  22   a  and  22   b . The space of the side-opening storage  22  that is to the left of the handle post  52  is defined as the left space  22   a . The left space  22   a  should be understood as including not only a region adjacent to the handle post  52  but also a region located to the left of the handle post  52  and extending in the front-rear direction from the region adjacent to the handle post  52 . The space of the side-opening storage  22  that is to the right of the handle post  52  is defined as the right space  22   b . The right space  22   b  should be understood as including not only a region adjacent to the handle post  52  but also a region located to the right of the handle post  52  and extending in the front-rear direction from the region adjacent to the handle post  52 . The space of the side-opening storage  22  that is at substantially the same location as the handle post  52  in the front-rear direction is defined as the central space  22   c . The central space  22   c  is configured to provide a connection between the left and right spaces  22   a  and  22   b  in the left-right direction. The left space  22   a  is configured such that the length of the left space  22   a  in the width direction decreases from front to rear in the region adjacent to the handle post  52  in the front-rear direction. The right space  22   b  is configured such that the length of the right space  22   b  in the width direction decreases from front to rear in the region adjacent to the handle post  52  in the front-rear direction. The two openings  23  of the side-opening storage  22  serving as a storage space are located respectively at the opposite outer sides of the watercraft body  2  in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the left and right openings  23   a  and  23   b  are formed as elongated holes extending longitudinally in the front-rear direction. Each opening  23  is spaced from and to the left or right of the center of the watercraft body  2  in the width direction. 
     In the side-opening storage  22 , the left and right spaces  22   a  and  22   b  are in communication with each other via the central space  22   c  located at the center in the width direction. That is, the side-opening storage  22  is configured to allow the two openings  23   a  and  23   b , which are located at the opposite outer sides of the watercraft body in the width direction, to communicate with each other via the central space  22   c . The side-opening storage  22  is formed in a U-shape surrounding the steering shaft  20  on the front and opposite lateral sides. In the present embodiment, the central space  22   c  is the largest space among the left space  22   a , right space  22   b , and central space  22   c.    
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the deck  4  extends rearward from the front end of the personal watercraft  1  toward the steering shaft  20 . In the upper-opening storage  47 , a part of the deck  4  forms the bottom surface of the storage space. The hatch cover  49  is configured to cover and uncover the upper-opening storage  47  which is a recess provided as a storage space in the deck  4 . The side-opening storage  22  is located posterior to the upper-opening storage  47 . 
     The side-opening storage  22  is defined by a recess formed in the deck  4 . Inside the recess formed in the deck  4  there are disposed a lower case  50  and an upper case  51 . The lower case  50  is below the upper case  51  and convex downward. The upper case  51 , which is above the lower case  50 , is situated on an extension of the surface of the deck  4  that is anterior to the side-opening storage  22 . The lower and upper cases  50  and  51  define a part of the storage spaces of the side-opening storage  22  provided in the deck  4 . The lower and upper cases  50  and  51  are connected to each other, and the central space  22   c  of the side-opening storage  22  lies between the cases  50  and  51 . Although  FIG.  3    shows the central space  22   c  lying between the lower and upper cases  50  and  51 , a part of the left space  22   a  or a part of the right space  22   b  may lie between the lower and upper cases  50  and  51  at a different location in the left-right direction than the central space  22   c.    
     The bottom surface of the central space  22   c  is formed by the lower case  50 . In the present embodiment, the bottom surface of the central space  22   c  is inclined downward from front to rear. The bottom surface of the central space  22   c  is at a lower height than the openings  23   a  and  23   b  of the left and right spaces  22   a  and  23   b . Each of the left, right, and central spaces  22   a ,  22   b , and  22   c  is provided with a hole through which water having entered the space is led out of the space. For example, when wet clothes or any other wet items are placed in the side-opening storage  22  and therefore water is retained in the side-opening storage  22 , the water can be discharged out of the storage  22  through the holes. 
       FIG.  2    shows the personal watercraft  1  with the right lid  24   b  open and the left lid  24   a  closed. In the present embodiment, the side mirrors  25  are disposed on both the left and right side surfaces of the deck  4  of the personal watercraft  1 . In particular, in the present embodiment, the side mirrors  25  are mounted on the left and right lids  24   a  and  24   b . The side mirror  25  may be disposed on either of the left and right side surfaces of the deck  4 . In this case, the side mirror  25  may be mounted on either of the left and right lids  24   a  and  24   b . The side mirrors  25  need not be mounted on the personal watercraft  1 . In the present embodiment, with the left lid  24   a  closed, a part of the left opening  23   a  of the side-opening storage  22  is posterior to the side mirror  25 . 
     The side-opening storage  22  extends in the front-rear direction in such a manner as to overlap the steering shaft  20  in a side view of the personal watercraft  1 . In both the left and right spaces  22   a  and  22   b  of the side-opening storage  22 , the rear end  22   d  ( FIG.  1   ) of the side-opening storage  22  is posterior to a part of the steering shaft  20  that is at the same height as the rear end  22   d . That is, a part of each of the left and right openings  23   a  and  23   b  of the side-opening storage  22  is located in a region posterior to a rear end of a part of the steering shaft  20  that is at the same height of the part of the opening  23   a  or  23   b . In the present embodiment, the rear ends of the left and right openings  23   a  and  23   b  as seen in a side view are adjacent to the handle post  52  in the front-rear direction of the watercraft body  2 . In the present embodiment, the grip portion held by the rider operating the personal watercraft  1  is the handle  19 . The shaft which rotates in conjunction with the handle  19  rotated by the rider to steer the personal watercraft  1  is the steering shaft  20 . The component which supports the handle  19  and through which the rotation of the handle  19  for steering maneuver is transmitted to the steering shaft  20  is the handle post  52 . In the present embodiment, a meter  53  for informing the rider of the watercraft speed and the engine speed is disposed above the handle post  52 . The left and right openings  23   a  and  23   b  of the side-opening storage  22  are adjacent to the meter  53  in the left-right direction of the watercraft body  2 . The front ends of the left and right openings  23   a  and  23   b  are adjacent to the front end of a region of the hull  3  in the front-rear direction of the watercraft body  2 . The region of the hull  3  is that which extends parallel to the front-rear direction. 
     In a plan view of the watercraft body  2 , the steering shaft  20  is interposed between opposite outer side portions of the side-opening storage  22  in the width direction. A part of the side-opening storage  22  is anterior to the steering shaft  20 . That is, the side-opening storage  22  lies on the front and opposite lateral sides of the steering shaft  20 , and the steering shaft  20  is surrounded by the side-opening storage  22  on the three sides, in particular the front and opposite lateral sides. As seen from the plan view of  FIG.  2   , when the watercraft body  2  is viewed in plan, the deck  4  includes the side-opening storage  22  disposed around the steering shaft  20 , the side-opening storage  22  including a front portion anterior to the steering shaft  20  and opposite outer side portions outward of the steering shaft  20  in the width direction. 
     In the present embodiment, the side-opening storage  22  is disposed around the steering shaft  20  and serves as a storage space in which various items can be placed. A part of the side-opening storage  22  is located between the steering shaft  20  and the upper-opening storage  47  in the front-rear direction. A part of the side-opening storage  22  is located at a greater height than the upper-opening storage  47  in the up-down direction. A part of the side-opening storage  22  is located between the seat  5  and the handle  19  in the up-down direction. In this manner, the space lying around the steering shaft  20  is effectively used. Thus, the volume of the storage space for item storage can be increased to allow for storage of a larger amount of items. Additionally, the use of the space lying around the steering shaft  20  for formation of the storage space eliminates the need to lengthen the personal watercraft  1  in the width direction and front-rear direction to ensure a sufficiently wide space. This can prevent the personal watercraft  1  from increasing in size due to the formation of the storage space. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the lid  24  is pivotable about the pivot axis L 1  relative to the deck  4  to cover and uncover the opening  23  of the side-opening storage  22 . In the present embodiment, as seen from  FIG.  4 A , the pivot axis L 1  is located at the front end of the lid  24  in the front-rear direction. In the example of  FIG.  4 A , the right lid  24   b  pivots about the pivot axis L 1  relative to the deck  4  to cover and uncover the right opening  23   b  of the right space  22   b . In the present embodiment, the left and right lids  24   a  and  24   b  are mounted on the deck  4  in the same manner and have the same configuration. The pivot axis L 1  extends obliquely downward from inside to outside in the left-right direction of the watercraft body  2 . That is, the pivot axis L 1  extends in a direction having both a vertical component and a horizontal component.  FIG.  4 B  shows the vertical component LV and horizontal component LH of the direction of the pivot axis L 1 . In  FIG.  4 B , the vertical direction of the pivot axis L 1  is shown as a V axis and the horizontal direction of the pivot axis L 1  is shown as an H axis.  FIG.  4 B  is a side view showing the pivot axis L 1  as viewed from the front of the watercraft body  2 . In the present embodiment, the horizontal component LH of the direction of the pivot axis L 1  corresponds to the left-right direction of the watercraft body  2 . In  FIGS.  4 A to  7 B , the side mirror  25  mounted on the lid  24  is omitted for convenience of illustration. 
     Since the pivot axis L 1  of the lid  24  extends in a direction having a vertical component, the rear end of the lid  24  pivots in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  during the opening or closing movement. Since the direction in which the pivot axis L 1  of the lid  24  extends further has a horizontal component (corresponding to the left-right direction of the watercraft body  2  in the present embodiment), the rear end of the lid  24  pivots also in the up-down direction of the watercraft body  2  during the opening or closing movement. In the present embodiment, the amount of the opening and closing movement of the lid  24  is greater in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. 
     The lid  24  is connected to a support post  26  disposed on the deck  4  and is configured to pivot about the pivot axis L 1  relative to the support post  26 . A biasing structure  27  is disposed at a location between the support post  26  and the lid  24  (the right lid  24   b  in  FIG.  4   ) and biases the lid  24  at the location between the support post  26  and the lid  24 . The lid  24  is biased by the biasing structure  27  in a direction in which the lid  24  opens (opening direction). In the present embodiment, the biasing structure  27  includes a spring  27   a  and a damper element  27   b  to allow the lid  24  to smoothly move toward an open position. In the present embodiment, the spring  27   a  is located between the support post  26  and the lid  24 , and the damper element  27   b  is radially inside the spring  27   a . The biasing structure  27  may consist of the spring  27   a  without including the damper element  27   b . In the present embodiment, in the watercraft body  2  with the lid  24  closed, a space accommodating the spring  27   a  and the damper element  27   b  is formed inward of the lid  24  in the left-right direction of the watercraft body  2 . The lid  24  is bent in the vicinity of its center in the front-rear and up-down directions to protrude outward in the left-right direction of the watercraft body  2 , so that the space inward of the lid  24  is created. The spring  27   a  and the damper element  27   b  are accommodated in the space formed inward of the lid  24  by the bending of the lid  24 . 
     The support post  26  is provided with a stopper (not illustrated) for holding the lid  24  open. When opened to a certain extent, the lid  24  is biased by the biasing structure  27  to a position (predetermined position) where the opening movement of the lid  24  is blocked by the stopper. Thus, once opened, the lid  24  is biased by the biasing structure  27  so that the lid  24  is held open. In the present embodiment, the position where the movement of the lid  24  is blocked by the stopper is defined such that the lid  24  opened to a sufficient extent does not protrude out of the watercraft body  2  in the left-right direction. When the lid  24  is opened, the stopper restricts the amount of the pivoting movement of the lid  24  to prevent the lid  24  from pivoting in the opening direction beyond a predetermined extent. 
     As described above, the biasing structure  27  biases the lid  24  to induce the opening movement of the lid  24  and hold the lid  24  open. In the present embodiment, during the opening movement of the lid  24 , the damper element  27   b  of the biasing structure  27  allows the lid  24  to move at a constant speed lower than a speed at which the lid  24  would open if the lid  24  was merely biased by the spring  27   a . In the present embodiment, the position of the opened lid  24  (predetermined position) is where the entire lid  24  is inward of the outer end of the deck  4  in the width direction of the watercraft body  2 . 
     A pocket  28  is disposed inside the right space  22   b  of the side-opening storage  22 . In the present embodiment, no pocket is disposed inside the left space  22   a . The pocket  28  is disposed inside the right space  22   b  in a manner as shown in  FIG.  4 A . Specifically, the pocket  28  having a smaller volume than the side-opening storage  22  is placed entirely within the right space  22   b  and is at a rear location inside the right space  22   b . While in the present embodiment the pocket  28  is disposed only inside the right space  22   b , the location of the pocket  28  is not limited to that in this embodiment. That is, the location of the pocket  28  is not limited to the right side of the side-opening storage  22 , and the pocket  28  may be disposed in the left space  22   a  of the side-opening storage  22 . The pocket  28  may be disposed in each of the left and right spaces  22   a  and  22   b.    
     The pocket  28  includes a pocket recess  29  located inside the right space  22   b  of the side-opening storage  22  of the deck  4  and extending downward and inward in the width direction. The pocket recess  29  has a pocket opening  30  facing outward in the width direction. The pocket  28  includes a pocket lid  31  configured to cover the pocket opening  30  from outside in the width direction. 
     In the present embodiment, the pocket lid  31  is connected to the deck  4  by a hinge  32  and pivotable relative to the pocket opening  30  of the pocket recess  29 . The hinge  32  is located above the pocket opening  30 . When moving in such a direction as to uncover the pocket opening  30 , the pocket lid  31  pivots upward about the pivot axis of the hinge  32 . When moving in such a direction as to cover the pocket opening  30 , the pocket lid  31  pivots downward about the pivot axis of the hinge  32 . In the present embodiment, the right lid  24   b  cannot be closed unless the pocket lid  31  is fully closed. 
     Either the pocket recess  29  or the pocket lid  31  is equipped with a seal  33  to provide sealing between the periphery of the pocket opening  30  and the pocket lid  31 . In the present embodiment, a rubber material is used as the seal  33 . In the present embodiment, the seal  33  is disposed along the periphery of the pocket opening  30  of the pocket recess  29 . The seal  33  may be disposed along the outer periphery of the pocket lid  31 . In the present embodiment, thanks to the seal  33  disposed to provide sealing between the periphery of the pocket opening  30  and the pocket lid  31 , the pocket  28  with the pocket lid  31  closed is watertight to prevent water from entering the pocket recess  29 . 
     With the pocket lid  31  closed, the pocket lid  31  covers the pocket opening  30  and is in contact with the seal  33 . In this situation, the seal  33  is elastically deformed to seal the gap between the pocket lid  31  and the pocket opening  30 . Thus, with the pocket lid  31  closed, the seal  33  prevents entry of water into the pocket recess  29  and ensures the watertightness of the pocket  28 . The “fully closed” state of the pocket lid  31  refers to a state in which the pocket lid  31  covers the pocket opening  30  and closes the pocket recess  29  and in which the pocket lid  31  is in contact with the seal  33  and ensures the watertightness of the pocket  28 . 
     In the present embodiment, the pocket lid  31  is made of a light-transmissive material (such as a transparent resin). Thus, with the pocket lid  31  closed, the interior of the pocket recess  29  can be visually checked. As such, the rider can check whether any item is placed in the pocket  28  and what kind of item is placed in the pocket  28  without having to open the pocket lid  31 . This renders the pocket  28  more user-friendly for the rider. 
     In the present embodiment, an electric power supply connector  34  is disposed on one side surface of the pocket recess  29 . The one side surface is innermost in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  among the side surfaces of the pocket recess  29 , and the electric power supply connector  34  projects outward in the width direction from the one side surface. The electric power supply connector  34  is connectable to an electronic device such as a mobile terminal. 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates placement of a mobile terminal  35  into the pocket  28 . With the mobile terminal  35  connected to the electric power supply connector  34  by means such as a charging cable, electric power can be supplied to the mobile terminal  35  through the electric power supply connector  34 . The pocket  28 , which is disposed inside the side-opening storage  22 , is closer to the seat  5  ( FIG.  1   ) on which the rider sits than the center of the side-opening storage  22  in the front-rear direction of the watercraft body  2 . Thus, the pocket  28  is closer to the right opening  23   b  of the right space  22   b  of the side-opening storage  22  than the center of the watercraft body  2  in the width direction of the watercraft body  2 . 
     The following describes engagement and disengagement effected between the lid  24  and the deck  4  at the side-opening storage  22 .  FIG.  5 A  is a perspective view showing a region where the right lid  24   b  and the deck  4  are engaged and disengaged at the right space  22   b  of the side-opening storage  22 . The surface of the right lid  24   b  shown in  FIG.  5 A  is defined herein as an outer surface of the right lid  24   b .  FIG.  5 B  is a plan view showing a surface of the right lid  24   b  opposite the outer surface, and the opposite surface is defined as an inner surface of the right lid  24   b . In the plan view of  FIG.  5 B , the right lid  24   b  is viewed in the direction of the arrow D 1  of  FIG.  5 A . In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  5 A , the right lid  24   b  is provided with a lock  36  for locking the right lid  24   a  to the deck  4 , and the deck  4  is provided with a retainer  37  configured to retain the lock  36 . In the present embodiment, the lock  36  is disposed on the inner surface of the right lid  24   b  (the surface of the closed right lid  24   b  that faces inward in the width direction). The retainer  37  for retaining the lock  36  of the right lid  24   b  is disposed on an inner side surface of the right space  22   b  of the deck  4 . 
     While in the present embodiment the lid  24  is provided with the lock  36  and the deck  4  is provided with the retainer  37 , the locations of the lock and retainer are not limited to those in this embodiment. The deck  4  may be provided with a lock, and the lid  24  may be provided with a retainer configured to retain the lock. It is sufficient that one of the lid  24  and the deck  4  be provided with a lock and the other of the lid  24  and the deck  4  be provided with a retainer configured to retain the lock. 
     The lock  36  includes a string-like element  38  made of metal. The string-like element  38  is elastic. The lock  36  further includes a disc-shaped flange  39 . One end portion of the string-like element  38  is wound around and secured to the flange  39 . 
     The retainer  37  includes a pin  40  disposed on one side surface of the right space  22   b  of the side-opening storage  22  of the deck  4 . The one side surface is innermost in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  among the side surfaces of the right space  22   b , and the pin  40  projects outward in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  from the one side surface. The pin  40  includes a main body  41  and a tip  42  directed outward in the width direction of the watercraft body  2 . Between the main body  41  and the tip  42  there is disposed an insert receiver  43 . The insert receiver  43  is in the form of a gap between the main body  41  and the tip  42 . 
     A longitudinal part of the string-like element  38  of the lock  36  is inserted into the insert receiver  43  of the pin  40  of the retainer  37 , and thus the string-like element  38  of the lock  36  and the pin  40  of the retainer  37  are engaged (the details of the engagement will be described later). Consequently, the closed right lid  24   b  is engaged with the deck  4 . 
       FIG.  6    is a perspective view showing the right space  22   b  of the side-opening storage  22  with the lock  36  of the right lid  24   b  and the retainer  37  of the deck  4  engaged by insertion of a part of the string-like element  38  of the lock  36  into the insert receiver  43  of the pin  40  of the retainer  37 . The engagement between the lock  36  and the retainer  37  holds the right lid  24   b  closed on the deck  4 . 
     The right lid  24   b  includes a disengaging structure  44  configured to disengage the string-like element  38  of the lock  36  and the pin  40  of the retainer  37 . As shown in  FIG.  5 A , the disengaging structure  44  includes an operation unit (button)  45  and a contactor  46  configured to contact the string-like element  38 . The operation unit  45  is located on an upper portion of the right lid  24   b  and configured to be pressed downward. In the present embodiment, the location of the operation unit  45  in the front-rear direction of the watercraft body  2  corresponds to the location of the handle post  52  in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the operation unit  45  is located below the handle post  52 . The operation unit  45  is anterior to the seat  5  ( FIG.  1   ) in the front-rear direction of the watercraft body  2 . 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the right lid  24   b  is located below the handle  19 , and the operation unit  45  is located below and in proximity to the handle  19 . The contactor  46  is connected to the operation unit  45 . Thus, when the operation unit  45  is pressed downward, the contactor  46  also moves downward in conjunction with the movement of the operation unit  45 . 
     The following describes how the lock  36  of the right lid  24   b , the retainer  37  of the deck  4 , and the disengaging structure  44  move during disengagement between the lock  36  and the retainer  37  with reference to  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B .  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  schematically illustrate the lock  36 , retainer  37 , and disengaging structure  44  in an enlarged manner.  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are each a partial cross-sectional view showing a region around the points of contact of the string-like element  38  of the lock  36  with the pin  40  of the retainer  37  and with the contactor  46  of the disengaging structure  44 .  FIG.  7 A  shows the lock  36 , retainer  37 , and disengaging structure  44 , with the lock  36  and the retainer  37  in engagement in the space which is inward of the right lid  24   b  in the left-right direction.  FIG.  7 B  shows the lock  36 , retainer  37 , and disengaging structure  44  at the moment when the lock  36  and the retainer  37  are disengaged. 
     As stated above and shown in  FIG.  7 A , when the lock  36  of the right lid  24   b  and the retainer  37  and the deck  4  are engaged, a part of the string-like element  38  is received into the insert receiver  43  of the pin  40  to provide the engagement between the lock  36  of the right lid  24   b  and the retainer  37  of the deck  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 B , when the rider presses and moves the operation unit  45  downward, the contactor  46  moves downward to press the string-like element  38  in contact with the contactor  46 , and thus the string-like element  38  is moved downward. The string-like element  38  is accordingly released from the insert receiver  43  of the pin  40 . As a result, the lock  36  of the right lid  24   b  is released from the retainer  37  of the deck  4 , so that the right lid  24   b  is disengaged from the deck  4 . Once the right lid  24   b  is disengaged from the deck  4 , the right lid  24   b  moves in the opening direction as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . In this case, the right lid  24   b  is moved by the biasing force of the biasing structure  27  to the position where the movement of the right lid  24   b  is blocked by the stopper. The right lid  24   b  becomes fully open at the position where the movement of the right lid  24   b  is blocked and ended by the stopper. The opening movement of the right lid  24   b  is accomplished in this manner. The opened right lid  24   b  is held open by the biasing force of the biasing structure  27 . As described above, the operation unit  45  is operable to actuate the disengaging structure  44  and cause the disengaging structure  44  to release the string-like element  38  from the insert receiver  43  into which the string-like element  38  has been inserted. In the present embodiment, the handle  19  as viewed in plan with the left and right lids  24   a  and  24   b  closed is located above and overlaps both the left and right lids  24   a  and  24   b . Specifically, with the lids  24   a  and  24   b  closed, the handle  19  is located above and overlaps the operation unit  45  of the disengaging structure  44 . 
     The foregoing describes how the right side of the personal watercraft  1  is configured for the engagement between the lock  36  of the right lid  24   b  and the retainer  37  of the deck  4 . The left side of the personal watercraft  1  is configured in the same manner for the engagement between the left lid  24   a  and the deck  4 . 
     In the present embodiment, the openings  23  of the side-opening storage  22  face outward in the width direction of the watercraft body  2 . This allows the rider to access the openings  23  from the side of the watercraft body  2  to transfer items to and from the side-opening storage  22 . Thus, the rider can perform the item transfer at a lower level than if the storage had an opening facing relatively upward. This renders the personal watercraft  1  a convenient personal watercraft. Additionally, for example, when the personal watercraft  1  is positioned alongside the land, a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  can access the openings  23  from the side of the watercraft body  2  without having to get on the watercraft body  2  and easily place items into the side-opening storage  22 . As such, the personal watercraft  1  is convenient also for the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the side-opening storage  22  having the openings  23  facing outward in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  is disposed around the steering shaft  20 . This allows the rider to remain sitting on the seat  5  when accessing the side-opening storage  22  to transfer items to and from the side-opening storage  22 . Thus, the rider does not have to get off the seat  5  once and sit again on the seat  5  when performing the item transfer to and from the side-opening storage  22 . This also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. 
     In the present embodiment, when the lid  24  is opened to uncover the opening of the side-opening storage  22  or closed to cover the opening of the side-opening storage  22 , the lid  24  moves in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  by pivoting about the pivot axis L 1  extending in a direction having a vertical component. Thus, the amount of upward movement of the lid  24  can be reduced to prevent the lid  24  from interfering with neighboring components (such as the handle) located above the lid  24 . 
     In the present embodiment, when the closed lid  24  is opened, the lid  24  moves by pivoting about the pivot axis L 1  extending in a direction having a horizontal component. During the opening movement, the lid  24  can avoid the handle  19  and upwardly protruding portions of the deck  4  while moving in the up-down direction. Thus, interference of the moving lid  24  with other components neighboring the lid  24  can be prevented. 
     In the present embodiment, when the closed lid  24  is opened, the amount of the movement of the rear end of the lid  24  is greater in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  than in the up-down direction of the watercraft body  2 . 
     Since the direction in which the lid  24  moves when opened and closed includes not only a component in the width direction of the watercraft body  2  but also a component in the up-down direction of the watercraft body  2 , the personal watercraft  1  can easily be designed so as to avoid interference between the trajectory along which the lid  24  is opened and closed and other components of the watercraft body  2  which neighbor the lid  24 . 
     In the present embodiment, the lid  24  is held closed by the engagement between the lock  36  and the retainer  37 . Thus, the closing of the lid  24  can easily be accomplished by the engagement between the lock  36  and the retainer  37 . This also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. Further, another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  can also easily close the lid  24 . Thus, the personal watercraft  1  is user-friendly also for the other user on board and the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the disengaging structure  44  is actuatable to disengage the lock  36  and the retainer  37 , and the lid  24  is held open by being biased to the predetermined position by the biasing structure  27 . Thus, the lid  24  can be opened and held open by operating the disengaging structure  44 . This eliminates the need for the rider to pull and move the lid  24  when opening the lid  24 . Additionally, the lid  24  can be held open without the rider having to keep holding the lid  24 . These advantages also render the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. Such a personal watercraft  1  is user-friendly also for another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the opened lid  24  is biased to and heled in the position where the entire lid  24  is inward of the outer end of the deck  4  in the width direction of the watercraft body  2 . Thus, for example, when the personal watercraft  1  is positioned alongside the shore and moored close to a high wall, contact of the lid  24  with the wall can be prevented. 
     In the present embodiment, the operation unit  45  is located below and in proximity to the handle  19 . Thus, the rider sitting on the seat  5  can easily operate the operation unit  45  to open and close the lid  24 . This also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly. 
     In the present embodiment, the two openings  23  of the side-opening storage  22  are respectively located at the opposite outer sides of the watercraft body  2  in the width direction of the watercraft body  2 . Thus, the rider can place items into the side-opening storage  22  from either side of the personal watercraft  1 . This also renders the personal watercraft  1  convenient. Additionally, another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  can also place items into the side-opening storage  22  from either side of the personal watercraft  1 . The personal watercraft  1  is therefore convenient also for the other user on board and the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the side-opening storage  22  is configured to allow the two openings  23 , which are located at the opposite outer sides of the watercraft body  2  in the width direction, to communicate with each other. Thus, the rider can access one and the same side-opening storage  22  through either of the left and right openings  23   a  and  23   b . This also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. Additionally, another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  can also access one and the same side-opening storage  22  through either of the left and right openings  23   a  and  23   b . The personal watercraft  1  is therefore user-friendly also for the other user on board and the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the pocket  28  smaller than the side-opening storage  22  is disposed inside the side-opening storage  22 , and a small item such as a mobile terminal can be placed in the pocket  28 . Additionally, the seal  33  provides sealing between the periphery of the opening  30  of the pocket  28  and the lid  24  and ensures the watertightness of the pocket  28  to prevent entry of water into the pocket  28 . The pocket  28  is therefore suitable for placement of items the water adhesion to which is undesired. This also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. Such a personal watercraft  1  is user-friendly also for another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  when the other user on board or the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  places items into the pocket  28 . 
     In the present embodiment, the pocket  28  is located in proximity to the opening  23  of the side-opening storage  22 , and the opening  30  of the pocket  28  faces outward in the width direction of the watercraft body  2 . Thus, the rider can easily access the pocket  28 . Such a pocket  28  of the personal watercraft  1  is user-friendly for the rider. 
     In the present embodiment, the pocket  28  is located in proximity to the seat  5  in the front-rear direction of the watercraft body  2  and thus easily accessible by the rider. This also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. 
     In the present embodiment, the pocket  28  includes the electric power supply connector  34  located inside the pocket  28 , and an electronic device placed in the pocket  28  can be supplied with electric power through the electric power supply connector  34 . Thus, the rider can charge the electronic device while operating the personal watercraft  1 . This also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. Such a personal watercraft  1  is user-friendly also for another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  because an electronic device possessed by the other user on board or the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  can also be connected to the electric power supply connector  34  to charge the electronic device while the rider is operating the personal watercraft  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the side mirror  25  is mounted on the lid  24 , and there is no need to dispose the side mirror  25  and the lid  24  at different locations on the deck  4 . Thus, the available area of the deck  4  can be efficiently used. Additionally, since the area for mounting of the side mirror  25  is used also for the side-opening storage  22 , the side-opening storage  22  is increased in size to accommodate a larger amount of items. This also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. Such a personal watercraft  1  is user-friendly also for another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  when the other user on board or the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  places items into the side-opening storage  22 . 
     In the present embodiment, a part of the opening  23  of the side-opening storage  22  extends to a point posterior to the side mirror  25 , and thus the opening  23  is long in the front-rear direction. Further, the opening  23  of the side-opening storage  22  extends from a point anterior to the steering shaft  20  to a point posterior to the steering shaft  20 . This also means that the opening  23  is long in the front-rear direction. Thus, the side-opening storage  22  can accommodate a large amount of items, and this also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. Such a personal watercraft  1  is user-friendly also for another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  when the other user on board or the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  places items into the side-opening storage  22 . 
     In the present embodiment, the deck  4  includes a storage (storage space) which is disposed around the steering shaft  20  in a plan view of the watercraft body  2 , the storage including a front portion anterior to the steering shaft  20  and opposite outer side portions outward of the steering shaft  20  in the width direction. Thus, the space around the steering shaft  20  is effectively used for the storage. Such a storage can be increased in volume along with overall size reduction of the personal watercraft  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the pivot axis L 1  about which the lid  24  pivots when opened and closed extends in a direction having both a vertical component and a horizontal component (V component LV and H component LH shown for the pivot axis L 1  in  FIG.  4 B ). Thus, the lid  24  moves in both the width and up-down directions of the watercraft body  2  when covering and uncovering the opening of the storage. The lid  24  can accomplish the covering and uncovering of the opening of the storage while avoiding neighboring components located above the lid  24  by moving in both the width and up-down directions of the watercraft body  2 . 
     In the present embodiment, the opening  23  of the side-opening storage  22  is formed in a region posterior to the upper-opening storage  47 . This means that the opening  23  of the side-opening storage  22  is long in the front-rear direction. Thus, the side-opening storage  22  can accommodate a large amount of items, and this also renders the personal watercraft  1  user-friendly for the rider. Such a personal watercraft  1  is user-friendly also for another user on board the personal watercraft  1  or a person who is not on board but in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  when the other user on board or the person who is in the vicinity of the personal watercraft  1  places items into the side-opening storage  22 . 
     While in the embodiment described above the watercraft body  2  includes both the side-opening storage  22  and the upper-opening storage  47 , the watercraft body  2  is not limited to that of the above embodiment. The watercraft body  2  need not include the upper-opening storage  47  and may include only the side-opening storage  22  as a storage space. While in the above embodiment the horizontal component of the direction of the pivot axis L 1  of the lid  24  corresponds to the left-right direction of the watercraft body  2 , the horizontal component of the direction of the pivot axis L 1  is not limited to that of the above embodiment. The horizontal component of the direction of the pivot axis L 1  may correspond to the front-rear direction of the watercraft body  2 .