Patent Publication Number: US-8973510-B2

Title: Vessel

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/425,828 filed on Dec. 22, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/495,018 filed on Jun. 9, 2011, and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a vessel. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In a conventional inflatable boat, both right and left sides of the hull are surrounded by a tubular float whose size is constant from the front to the rear, so that the float may become an obstacle when a passenger gets in or out of the boat. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,970, an inflatable boat in which a portion of the float is thinned to make it easy for a passenger to easily get in and out of the boat is described. In this boat, a wall to which an outboard motor is attached is provided at the rear end of the deck. However, no seat is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,970, so that convenience in the case where a seat is provided is not sufficiently considered. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the previously unrecognized and unsolved challenges described above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a vessel that includes a body, a float, at least one propulsion unit, a steering handle, and a seat. The body includes a hull and a deck disposed over the hull. The float is disposed on both right and left sides of the hull, and extends in the front/rear direction along the hull. The at least one propulsion unit includes a power source disposed between the hull and the deck, and a jet pump to be driven by the power source. The steering handle is disposed above the deck. The seat is disposed on the deck at the rear of the steering handle. The deck includes a flat portion extending from the lateral side of the seat to the rear end edge of the deck. 
     With this arrangement of the present preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flat portion extending from the lateral side of the seat to the rear end edge of the deck is provided on the deck. Therefore, a passenger can easily move between the seat and the rear side of the vessel by utilizing the flat portion. Therefore, a passenger easily gets in and out of the vessel, and workability on the vessel is excellent. 
     The float may include a pair of rear end portions spaced from each other in the right/left direction. In this case, the flat portion may include a rear end portion positioned between the pair of rear end portions as viewed from the rear. 
     The vessel may further include an openable and closable door that is disposed at the rear end portion of the flat portion and divides the space above the flat portion in the front/rear direction. 
     The float may include a front portion disposed forward relative to the seat, and a pair of narrow portions disposed on both right and left sides of the hull at a position corresponding to the seat with respect to the front/rear direction and disposed lower than the upper end of the front portion. 
     The float may be made of a rubber tube the inside of which is filled with gas, or may be made of foamed plastic. 
     The at least one propulsion unit may include a pair of propulsion units spaced from each other in the right/left direction. In this case, the flat portion may extend in the front/rear direction between the pair of propulsion units in a plan view. 
     The vessel may further include a movable division member that is disposed rearward relative to the seat and divides the space above the flat portion in the front/rear direction. 
     The vessel may further include a side seat disposed on the deck on the side opposite to the seat with respect to the flat portion. 
     The flat portion may surround the steering handle and the seat in a plan view. 
     The vessel may further include a rear seat disposed at the rear of the seat above the power source. 
     Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a vessel including a body, a float, at least one propulsion unit, a steering handle, and a seat. The body includes a hull and a deck disposed over the hull. The float is disposed on both right and left sides of the hull, and extends in the front/rear direction along the hull. The at least one propulsion unit includes a power source disposed between the hull and the deck, and a jet pump to be driven by the power source. The steering handle is disposed above the deck. The seat is disposed on the deck at the rear of the steering handle. The float includes a front portion disposed forward relative to the seat, and a pair of narrow portions disposed on both right and left sides of the hull at a position corresponding to the seat with respect to the front/rear direction and disposed lower than the upper end of the front portion. 
     With this arrangement of the present preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pair of narrow portions whose heights are relatively low are disposed at a position corresponding to the seat. Therefore, by passing through an area above the narrow portion in the right/left direction, a passenger can easily move between the seat and the lateral side of the vessel. Further, by utilizing the area above the narrow portion, a passenger can load or unload baggage without having to lift the baggage to a high position. Therefore, getting in/out of the vessel is easy, and workability on the vessel is excellent. 
     Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a vessel including a body, a float, at least one propulsion unit, a steering handle, a seat, and a pair of narrow portions. The body includes a hull and a deck disposed over the hull. The float is disposed on both right and left sides of the hull, and extends in the front/rear direction along the hull. The at least one propulsion unit includes a power source disposed between the hull and the deck, and a jet pump to be driven by the power source. The steering handle is disposed above the deck. The seat is disposed on the deck at the rear of the steering handle. The pair of narrow portions are disposed at a position corresponding to the seat with respect to the front/rear direction so as to be spaced from each other in the right/left direction, and define side surfaces of the vessel at the position corresponding to the seat with respect to the front/rear direction. The pair of narrow portions are concave inward in a plan view. The pair of narrow portions may be provided on the float. 
     With this arrangement of the present preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pair of narrow portions that are concave inward in a plan view are disposed at a position corresponding to the seat. The pair of narrow portions define side surfaces of the vessel. Therefore, the vessel is narrowed at the position corresponding to the seat. Therefore, a passenger can easily move between the seat and the lateral side of the vessel by passing through the lateral side of the narrow portion. Further, by utilizing the lateral side of the narrow portion, a passenger can comparatively easily move a person or an object between a position in water and a position on the vessel. Therefore, getting in/out of the vessel is easy, and workability on the vessel is excellent. 
     The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vessel according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the vessel according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the vessel according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a back view of the vessel according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a sectional view of a float taken along line V-V in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5B  is a sectional view of a float taken along line V-V in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a propulsion unit from a lateral side. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a vessel according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the vessel according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of the vessel according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a back view of the vessel according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a propulsion unit from the lateral side. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a vessel according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of the vessel according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a back view of the vessel according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of a vessel according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of the vessel according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a back view of the vessel according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a vessel in a stationary state in which the vessel is stationary on water is described. In each drawing, a vessel in the stationary state is shown. In the following description, “front/rear direction,” “right/left direction,” and “up/down direction” are directions based on a body in the stationary state. “Bilaterally symmetric” in the following description means symmetry about a vertical plane extending in the front/rear direction along the body center, that is, the center in the right/left direction of the body. 
     Multi-Work Jet 
       FIG. 1  to  FIG. 11  are drawings for describing a Multi-Work Jet.  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6  shows a “CAT-WORK RIB” Type Multi-Work Jet, and  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 11  shows a “MONO-WORK RIB” Type Multi-Work Jet. Hereinafter, features of the Multi-Work Jet are described. Thereafter, a detailed arrangement of the Multi-Work Jet is described. 
     The Multi-Work Jet preferably includes a wide hull with a jet propulsion engine. The wide hull ensures ample space to place loads inside the cockpit, which in turn enables the Jet Boat to be used as an active commercial vehicle. In this plan, the center of the hull is narrow with a door located at the rear to allow easy access when working on the water, as well as loading/unloading from the boat itself. 
     The wide hull not only contributes to the stability of the boat when stationary while working on water, but it also provides stability in motion when cruising with heavy loads. The width of the boat can be extended by either using the same material as the hull or by using a rib type structure. 
     However, surrounding the boat with a tube of identical size as seen in the standard rib structure may compromise its usability (when working on water) despite the increased stability. 
     In order to improve workability on the water, the shape is narrowed on the center of the hull in this plan similar to that of an ant&#39;s waist. Here we introduce two types of Multi-Work Jet: the Catamaran Type and the Mono hull Type. 
     The Cat-Work Rib on the Catamaran Type Multi-Work Jet includes a rib structure on the side outer panels of the hull, and two jet propulsion engines. There is a movable division on the center of the hull, but passengers are also able to move through the boat in a front-rear direction. The sides of the boat include large areas for storing ample amounts of luggage. There is also a door at the rear of the hull for easy access to water or a pier. 
     Except for the rear section on the “Mono-Work Rib” of the other Mono hull Type Multi-Work Jet, it is surrounded by a rib structure. The operator and the passenger seats are aligned in the front-rear direction along the center of the hull, which is surrounded by an easily accessible U-shaped floor. An Ant Waist design with narrow outer panels at the center of the hull is preferably included on this boat, as well as a door at the rear of the hull, for example. Both of these features enable easy access to water. This configuration enables the hull to be used more efficiently, and any load can be secured to the U-shaped floor when cruising. 
     First Preferred Embodiment 
     CAT-WORK RIB Type Multi-Work Jet 
       FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  are a perspective view, a side view, a plan view, and a back view of a vessel  1 , respectively.  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are sectional views of a float  3  taken along line V-V in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a propulsion unit  4  from a lateral side. In  FIG. 4 , illustration of a reverse bucket  31  described later is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the vessel  1  is a Catamaran type jet boat that is propelled by a jet propulsion engine. The Catamaran is a vessel including two hulls. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the vessel  1  includes a body  2 , a float  3  that provides the body  2  with buoyancy, and a pair of propulsion units  4  that propels the vessel  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the vessel  2  includes a hull  5  with a wide width that defines a vessel bottom, and a deck  6  disposed over the hull  5 . The hull  5  has a bilaterally symmetric shape. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the hull  5  includes two hulls (a right hull  5 R and a left hull  5 L) coupled to each other. The pair of propulsion units  4  are held by the right hull  5 R and the left hull  5 L, respectively. The pair of propulsion units  4  are disposed at the same height so as to be spaced from each other in the right/left direction. The hull  5  is made of a material that is lightweight and has high strength such as FRP (fiber-reinforced plastics). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hull  5  includes an outer panel  7  having a C shape opened rearward in a plan view. The outer panel  7  surrounds the deck  6 , and defines a passenger space in conjunction with the deck  6 . A cockpit is provided in the passenger space. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a seat  9  is disposed at the center portion in the front/rear direction of the deck  6 , and the steering handle  8  is disposed in front of the seat  9 . A side seat  10  is disposed on the lateral side of the seat  9 . The seat  9  is an operator seat on which an operator sits, and the side seat  10  is a passenger seat on which a passenger other than an operator sits. An output adjustment lever to adjust outputs of the propulsion units  4  and to switch between forward drive and reverse drive (shift change) of the vessel  1  is also disposed in the cockpit although it is not illustrated. The steering handle  8  is disposed above the deck  6 , and the seat  9  and the side seat  10  are disposed on the deck  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the seat  9  and the side seat  10  are disposed along the right end and the left end of the hull  5 , respectively. A front storage door  11  and a rear storage doors  12  to open and close storages provided underneath the deck  6  are disposed at the front and rear of the seat  9 . Similarly, the front storage door  11  and the rear storage door  12  are disposed at the front and rear of the side seat  10 , respectively. Engine doors  13  to open and close engine rooms provided underneath the deck  6  are disposed between the rear storage doors  12  and the seats (the seat  9  or the side seat  10 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the doors  11 ,  12 , and  13  are held in horizontal postures, and openable and closable up and down. The engine doors  13  are disposed higher than the front storage doors  11  and the rear storage doors  12 , and define level differences in conjunction with the rear storage doors  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the seat  9  and the side seat  10  are disposed bilaterally symmetrically so as to be spaced from each other in the right/left direction. Between the seat  9  and the side seat  10 , a flat portion  14  extending in the front/rear direction along the body center C 1  is provided. The flat portion  14  is a portion of the deck  6 , and extends from the front end edge  6   a  of the deck  6  to the rear end edge  6   b  of the deck  6 . The upper surface of the flat portion  14  may be a plane without irregularities, or may be a substantially flat surface provided with concave portions or convex portions so small (for example, several centimeters) that no trouble occurs when a passenger moves on the flat portion  14 . The flat portion  14  extends in the front/rear direction between the pair of propulsion units  4  in a plan view. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a rear end portion  14   b  of the flat portion  14  is disposed at an opening portion of the outer panel  7 . A rear door  15  is disposed at the rear end portion  14   b  of the flat portion  14 . The opening portion of the outer panel  7  is closed by the rear door  15 . A movable division member  16  is disposed at the center portion in the front/rear direction of the flat portion  14 . The division member  16  projects upward from the flat portion  14 , and is disposed rearward relative to the seat  9  and the side seat  10 . The rear door  15  and the division member  16  divide the space above the flat portion  14  into the front and rear. Water moving from the rear side to the front side of the rear door  15  is backed up by the rear door  15 , and water moving from the rear side to the front side of the division member  16  is backed up by the division member  16 . Therefore, the area from the division member  16  to the front end edge  6   a  of the deck  6  is a dry area protected from water entering from the rear side. 
     The rear door  15  may be a swing door that swings around an axis extending up and down or right and left, a sliding door movable parallel up and down or right and left, or an accordion door foldable up and down or right and left. The rear door  15  may be a single door or a double door. When the rear door  15  is a sliding door, the rear door  15  may be removable from the hull  5 . Like the rear door  15 , the division member  16  may be a swing door, a sliding door, or an accordion door. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the float  3  includes a right float  17  and a left float  18  disposed on the right side and the left side of the hull  5 . The right float  17  and the left float  18  extend in the front/rear direction along the side surfaces (outer surfaces) of the hull  5 . The float  3  has a bilaterally symmetric shape. Specifically, the right float  17  and the left float  18  are disposed bilaterally symmetrically so as to be spaced from each other in the right/left direction, and the right float  17  has a shape right/left-reverse to the left float  18 . The right float  17  and the left float  18  are disposed on the outermost side of the vessel  1 , and define side surfaces of the vessel  1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the attachment position of the float  3  to the hull  5  is set so that the height of the draft line DL 1  in a stationary state of the vessel  1  becomes equal to the position of the float  3 . The float  3  may be a rubber-made tube the inside of which is filled with gas as shown in  FIG. 5A , or may be made of foamed plastic as shown in  FIG. 5B . When the float  3  is a tube, the insides of the right float  17  and the left float  18  may be divided into pluralities of sections in the longitudinal direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the right float  17  and the left float  18  extend in the front/rear direction along the center portion in the up/down direction of the hull  15 . The right float  17  and the left float  18  extend rearward from the front end of the hull  5 . The rear end portions of the right float  17  and the left float  18  are disposed forward relative to the rear end of the hull  5 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the vessel  1  is viewed from the back, the rear end portion  14   b  of the flat portion  14  is positioned between the rear end portion of the right float  17  and the rear end portion of the left float  18 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the right float  17  and the left float  18  includes a front portion  19  disposed forward relative to the seat  9 , a rear portion  21  disposed rearward relative to the seat  9 , and a narrow portion  20  disposed between the front portion  19  and the rear portion  21 . The narrow portion  20  is disposed at a position corresponding to the seat  9  with respect to the front/rear direction (the right side or the left side of the seat  9 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the narrow portion  20  is disposed on the inner side (the body center C 1  side) relative to the outer end  19   c  of the front portion  19  and the outer end  21   c  of the rear portion  21 . Therefore, the right float  17  and the left float  18  are concave inward at the position corresponding to the seat  9 . Therefore, the center portion in the front/rear direction of the vessel  1  is narrower in width than the portions forward and rearward of the center portion, and is narrowed in the right/left direction like a petiole of an ant. Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the narrow portion  20  is narrower in the up/down direction than the front portion  19  and the rear portion  21 . The narrow portion  20  is disposed lower than the upper end  19   a  of the front portion  19  and the upper end  21   a  of the rear portion  21 , and disposed higher than the lower end  19   b  of the front portion  19  and the lower end  21   b  of the rear portion  21 . Therefore, the right float  17  and the left float  18  are concave up and down at the position corresponding to the seat  9 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , each propulsion unit  4  includes a power source  22  disposed between the hull  5  and the deck  6 , and a jet pump  23  to be driven by the power source  22 . The power source  22  is disposed in front of the jet pump  23 . The jet pump  23  is disposed at the stern. The power source  22  may be either an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, or both of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Of course, a device other than an internal combustion engine and an electric motor may be used as the power source  22 . The jet pump  23  is powered from the power source  22  and suctions water from the vessel bottom and jets the suctioned water rearward or forward. Accordingly, the vessel  1  is propelled. Further, the jet pump  23  changes the jet flow direction to the right/left according to an operation of the steering handle  8 . Accordingly, the vessel  1  is steered. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the power source  22  is disposed (in an engine room) below the engine door  13 , and a portion of the jet pump  23  is disposed below the rear storage door  12 . A storage compartment preferably is provided between the jet pump  23  and the rear storage door  12 . The jet pump  23  defines an inlet  24  opened downward on the vessel bottom, an outlet  25  opened rearward at the rear side relative to the inlet  24 , and a flow channel  26  that connects the inlet  24  and the outlet  25 . The jet pump  23  includes a duct  27  that defines the inlet  24 , a nozzle  28  that defines the outlet  25 , an impeller  29  disposed in the flow channel  26 , a deflector  30  that changes the direction of a jet flow jetted from the nozzle  28  to the right/left, and a reverse bucket  31  that changes the jet direction of water from the deflector  30  to forward/rearward. The deflector  30  turns clockwise and counterclockwise according to an operation of the steering handle  8 , and the reverse bucket  31  turns up and down according to an operation of an output adjustment lever (not illustrated) disposed in the cockpit. 
     As described above, in the first preferred embodiment, the flat portion  14  extending from the lateral side of the seat  9  to the rear end edge  6   b  of the deck  6  is provided on the deck  6 . Therefore, a passenger can easily move between the seat  9  and the rear side of the vessel  1  by utilizing the flat portion  14 . Therefore, getting in/out of the vessel is easy, and workability on the vessel is excellent. 
     Further, a pair of narrow portions  20  which are relatively low in height are disposed at the position corresponding to the seat  9 , so that a passenger can easily move between the seat  9  and the lateral side of the vessel  1  by moving the area above the narrow portion  20  in the right/left direction. Further, by utilizing the area above the narrow portion  20 , a passenger can perform loading and unloading baggage without lifting the baggage to a high position. Therefore, getting in/out of the vessel is easy, and workability on the vessel is excellent. 
     Further, the pair of narrow portions  20  are concave inward in a plan view. In addition, the pair of narrow portions  20  define side surfaces of the vessel  1 . Therefore, the vessel  1  is narrowed in the right/left direction at the position corresponding to the seat  9 . Therefore, by passing through the lateral side of the narrow portion  20 , a passenger can easily move between the seat  9  and the lateral side of the vessel  1 . Further, by utilizing the lateral side of the narrow portion  20 , a passenger can comparatively easily move a person or object between a position in water and a position on the vessel. Therefore, getting in/out of the vessel is easy, and workability on the vessel is excellent. 
     Second Preferred Embodiment 
     MONO-WORK RIB Type Multi-Work Jet 
       FIG. 7  to  FIG. 10  are a perspective view, a side view, a plan view, and a back view of a vessel  201 .  FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a propulsion unit  4  from the lateral side. In  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 11 , components equivalent to the components shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6  described above are designated by the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1 , etc., and description thereof is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the vessel  201  is a Mono hull type jet boat that is propelled by a jet propulsion engine. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the vessel  201  includes a body  202 , a float  203  that gives the body  202  buoyancy, and the propulsion unit  4  that propels the vessel  201 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the body  202  includes a hull  205  with a wide width that defines a vessel bottom, and a flat deck  206  disposed over the hull  205 . The hull  205  has a bilaterally symmetric shape. The propulsion unit  4  is held by the hull  205 . The propulsion unit  4  is disposed along the body center C 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the hull  205  includes an outer panel  207  having a C shape opened rearward in a plan view. The outer panel  207  surrounds the deck  206 , and defines a passenger space in conjunction with the deck  206 . A cockpit is provided in the passenger space. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the seat  9  is disposed at the center portion in the front/rear direction of the deck  206 , and the steering handle  8  is disposed in front of the seat  9 . On the diagonally forward right and diagonally forward left of the steering handle  8 , mirrors  233  to look toward the rear are disposed. Two rear seats  210   a  and  210   b  are disposed at the rear of the seat  9 . An output adjustment lever is also disposed in the cockpit although it is not illustrated. The rear seats  210   a  and  210   b  are passenger seats on which passengers other than an operator sit. The rear seats  210   a  and  210   b  may be saddle-shaped seats, for example. The three seats (the seat  9  and the rear seats  210   a  and  210   b ) are laid in a row in the front/rear direction. The steering handle  8  is disposed above the deck  206 , and the seat  9  and the rear seats  210   a  and  210   b  are disposed on the deck  206 . The steering handle  8 , the seat  9 , and the rear seats  210   a  and  210   b  are lined up in the front/rear direction along the body center C 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the deck  206  includes a flat portion  214  having an O shape in a plan view, surrounding the steering handle  8  and the three seats (the seat  9  and the rear seats  210   a  and  210   b ) in a plan view. Therefore, the flat portion  214  is disposed on the right and left of the seat  9 . The flat portion  214  extends from the lateral side of the seat  9  to the rear end edge  206   b  of the deck  206 . The shape of the flat portion  214  is not limited to the O shape, and may be a U shape opened forward or rearward in a plan view. The flat portion  214  is not necessarily linked at the front side or rear side of the seat  9 . Specifically, a straight flat portion extending from the lateral side of the seat  9  to the rear end edge  206   b  of the deck  206  may be provided on at least one of the right side and the left side of the seat  9 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the rear end portion  214   b  of the flat portion  214  is disposed at the opening portion of the outer panel  207 . The opening portion of the outer panel  207  is closed by the rear door  15  disposed at the rear end portion  214   b  of the flat portion  214 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the float  203  has a U shape opened rearward in a plan view. The float  203  includes a right float  217  and a left float  218  disposed on the right side and the left side of the hull  205 , and a front float  234  disposed at the front of the hull  205 . The float  203  has a bilaterally symmetric shape. Specifically, the right float  217  and the left float  218  are disposed bilaterally symmetrically so as to be spaced from each other in the right/left direction, and the right float  217  has a shape right/left-reverse to the left float  218 . The right end portion and the left end portion of the front float  234  are coupled to the right float  217  and the left float  218 , respectively. The right float  217  and the left float  218  extend in the front/rear direction along the side surfaces (outer surfaces) of the hull  205 . The right float  217  and the left float  218  are disposed on the outermost side of the vessel  201 , and define side surfaces of the vessel  201 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the attachment position of the float  203  to the hull  205  is set so that the height of the draft line DL 1  in a stationary state of the vessel  201  becomes equal to the position of the float  203 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the right float  217  and the left float  218  extend in the front/rear direction along the center portion in the up/down direction of the hull  205 . The right float  217  and the left float  218  extend rearward from the front end of the hull  205 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the vessel  201  is viewed from the back, the rear end portion  214   b  of the flat portion  214  is positioned between the rear end portion of the right float  217  and the rear end portion of the left float  218 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , each of the right float  217  and the left float  218  includes the front portion  19  disposed forward relative to the seat  9 , the rear portion  21  disposed rearward relative to the seat  9 , and the narrow portion  20  disposed between the front portion  19  and the rear portion  21 . The narrow portion  20  is disposed at a position corresponding to the seat  9  with respect to the front/rear direction (the right side or left side of the seat  9 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the narrow portion  20  is disposed on the inner side (body center C 1  side) relative to the outer end  19   c  of the front portion  19  and the outer end  21   c  of the rear portion  21 . Therefore, the right float  217  and the left float  218  are concave inward at the position corresponding to the seat  9 . Therefore, the center portion in the front/rear direction of the vessel  201  is narrower in width than the portions forward and rearward of the center portion, and narrowed in the right/left direction like a petiole of an ant. Further, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the narrow portion  20  is narrower in the up/down direction than the front portion  19  and the rear portion  21 . The narrow portion  20  is disposed lower than the upper end  19   a  of the front portion  19  and the upper end  21   a  of the rear portion  21 , and disposed higher than the lower end  19   b  of the front portion  19  and the lower end  21   b  of the rear portion  21 . Therefore, the right float  217  and the left float  218  are concave up and down at the position corresponding to the seat  9 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the propulsion unit  4  includes the power source  22  disposed between the hull  205  and the deck  206 , and the jet pump  23  to be driven by the power source  22 . The power source  22  is disposed at the front of the jet pump  23 . The jet pump  23  is disposed on the stern. The power source  22  is disposed in an engine room provided underneath the rear seat  210   b  on the rear side and the deck  206 , and a portion of the jet pump  23  is disposed underneath the deck  206 . The jet pump  23  is powered from the power source  22  and suctions water from the vessel bottom and jets the suctioned water rearward or forward. Accordingly, the vessel  201  is propelled. Further, the jet pump  23  changes the direction of the jet flow to the right/left according to an operation of the steering handle  8 . Accordingly, the vessel  201  is steered. 
     As described above, in the second preferred embodiment, as in the first preferred embodiment, the flat portion  214  extending from the lateral side of the seat  9  to the rear end edge  206   b  of the deck  206  is provided on the deck  206 . Further, the pair of narrow portions  20  are provided on the float  203 . Therefore, a passenger can easily move an object between a position inside the vessel and a position outside the vessel. Therefore, workability on the vessel is excellent. 
       FIG. 12  to  FIG. 17  are drawings for describing the Upside Cabin Vehicle.  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 14  show a “Bay Bison” type Upside Cabin Vehicle, and  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 17  show a “Lake Bear” type Upside Cabin Vehicle. Hereinafter, features of the Upside Cabin Vehicle are described. Thereafter, detailed arrangements of the Upside Cabin Vehicle are described. 
     The Upside Cabin Vehicle includes an independent cockpit and cabin placed on top of a relatively flat hull. With an enclosed cabin, it is possible to enjoy a long season with the added advantage of the enjoyment of steering the vessel from an elevated position. 
     The deck can also be conveniently used for a swimming platform or for fishing, etc. In terms of its engine, a jet propulsion type engine is the most ideal for easy launch and return off the beach. 
     The engine, its propulsion device, fuel tank, and battery, etc., are all arranged in a flat hull underneath the cabin. This ensures a low center of gravity even with the high structural design of the vessel. 
     In addition, it is best to have a solid cabin in order to be able to enjoy a longer season. However, it is also possible to have an awning fitted onto the flying bridge. 
     This Plan introduces the Mono Hull “Bay Bison” and the Catamaran Hull “Lake Bear.” 
     For the “Bay Bison,” the cockpit of the cabin is fitted on top of a flat wide hull, and the engine and its jet propulsion device are fitted to the center rear of the hull. Also fitted within the hull are the fuel tank, battery, storage box, and flotation device. There is also room to fit a water tank if necessary. The cabin can be accessed by a door at the side, and the driver&#39;s seat is positioned at the front of the interior, along with a passenger&#39;s seat placed behind it. In addition, a step for access to the deck is located below the door. As the design of the Bison is durable, it provides a useful new tool in water even through the winter months. 
     The “Lake Bear” has its cockpit fitted cabin located on top of a flat Catamaran type hull as well as a flying bridge making it possible to steer the vessel from either position. The flying bridge has a passenger capacity for one person, and is accessed via a step located at the rear of the cabin. The engine including its jet propulsion device is fitted at the bottom of the hull beneath the cabin, however, there is provision for a second engine if required. Within the left and right hulls are the fuel tank, battery, storage box, and flotation device. There is also room to fit a water tank if necessary. 
     As the design of the Bear is stable, it enables discovery of new marine recreation with the combination of the deck, cabin, and flying bridge. 
     Third Preferred Embodiment 
     Bay Bison Type Upside Cabin Vehicle 
       FIG. 12  to  FIG. 14  are a side view, a plan view, and a back view of a vessel  301 . In  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 14 , components equivalent to the components shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 11  described above are designated by the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1 , etc., and description thereof is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the vessel  301  is a Mono hull type water vehicle to be propelled by a jet propulsion engine. The vessel  301  includes a body  302 , a cabin  335  supported by the body  302 , and the propulsion unit  4  that propels the vessel  301 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the body  302  includes a hull  305  with a wide width that defines a vessel bottom that is wide in width and flat, and a flat deck  306  disposed over the hull  305 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the body  302  includes an engine room  336  provided at the stern. The engine room  336  projects upward from the deck  306 , and extends in the front/rear direction along the body center C 1 . The power source  22  of the propulsion unit  4  is disposed inside the engine room  336 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , a fuel tank  337  that stores fuel to be supplied to the propulsion unit  4  is disposed inside the hull  305 . Similarly, a battery  338  that supplies electric power to electric devices installed in the vessel  301  is disposed inside the hull  305 . Specifically, furniture and fixtures such as the fuel tank  337 , the battery  338 , a storage box, life jackets, and a water tank are disposed inside the body  302 . Accordingly, the gravity center of the vessel  301  is lowered. Buoyancy of the hull  305  is set so that the cabin  335  is positioned higher than the water surface in each of a stationary state and a running state of the vessel  301 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the cabin  335  is disposed above the body  302 . The cabin  335  is supported by the body  302  via a plurality of support posts  339  extending upward from the body  302 . Therefore, the cabin  335  is supported by the body  302  at a distance from the body  302 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the cabin  335  extends in the front/rear direction along the body center C 1 . The width of the cabin  335  is narrower than that of the hull  305 , and the length of the cabin  335  in the front/rear direction is shorter than that of the hull  305 . Therefore, the area of the cabin  335  is narrower than that of the hull  305 . When the vessel  301  is viewed from above, the cabin  335  is disposed at a position deflected to the rear side with respect to the hull  305 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , a portion of the engine room  336  is disposed below the cabin  335 , and overlaps the cabin  335  in the up/down direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the cabin  335  defines a closed passenger space. The cockpit is provided in the cabin  335 . Specifically, the steering handle  8 , the seat  9 , and the rear seat  210  are disposed in the passenger space. An output adjustment lever is also disposed in the passenger space although it is not illustrated. The steering handle  8  is disposed in the front portion of the passenger space, and the seat  9  is disposed at the rear of the steering handle  8 . The rear seat  210  is disposed at the rear of the seat  9 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the cabin  335  includes a plurality of windows (a front window  340 , door windows  341 , side windows  342 , a rear window  343 , and an upper window  344 ) provided on the front portion, the side portions, the rear portion, and the upper portion of the cabin  335 . The windows  341  to  344  are screened by transparent plates made of glass or resin. The cabin  335  further includes side doors  345  integrated with the door windows  341 , provided on the right side portion and the left side portion of the cabin  335 . Steps  346  to be used for movement between the cabin  335  and the deck  306  are attached to the side surfaces of the cabin  335  below the side doors  345 . The side doors  345  may be openable and closable in the right/left direction or openable and closable in the up-down direction. 
     As described above, in the third preferred embodiment, the cabin  335  independent of the hull  305  is provided. The cockpit is provided in the closed cabin  335 . Therefore, an operator can steer the vessel  301  without getting wet in all weather. Further, the cockpit is disposed higher than the hull  305 , and a vessel steering position is high, so that visibility is high. Therefore, an operator can operate the vessel  301  with comfort. 
     Fourth Preferred Embodiment 
     Lake Bear Type Upside Cabin Vehicle 
       FIG. 15  to  FIG. 17  are a side view, a plan view, and a rear view of a vessel  401 , respectively. In  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 17 , components equivalent to the components shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 14  described above are designated by the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1 , etc., and description thereof is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the vessel  401  is a Catamaran type water vehicle to be propelled by a jet propulsion engine. The vehicle  401  includes a body  402 , a cabin  435  supported by the body  402 , a flying bridge  447  disposed above the cabin  435 , and the propulsion unit  4  that propels the vessel  401 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the body  402  includes a hull  405  that defines a vessel bottom, and a flat deck  406  disposed over the hull  405 . The hull  405  includes two hulls (a right hull  405 R and a left hull  405 L) disposed parallel or substantially parallel to each other so as to be spaced from each other in the right/left direction. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the right hull  405 R and the left hull  405 L extend in the front/rear direction on both right and left sides of the vessel center C 1 . The right hull  405 R and the left hull  405 L are disposed bilaterally symmetrically, and the right hull  405 R has a shape right/left-reverse to the left hull  405 L. The deck  406  includes a flat right deck  406 R disposed over the right hull  405 R and a flat left deck  406 L disposed over the left hull  405 L. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the fuel tank  337  is disposed inside the rear portion of the right hull  405 R, and the battery  338  is disposed inside the rear portion of the left hull  405 L. Specifically, furniture and fixtures such as the fuel tank  337 , the battery  338 , the storage box, life jackets, and the water tank, etc., are disposed inside the body  402 . Accordingly, the gravity center of the vessel  401  is lowered. Buoyancy of the hull  405  is set so that the cabin  435  (in detail, the upper portion  435   a  of the cabin  435 ) is positioned higher than the water surface in each of a stationary state and a running state of the vessel  401 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the cabin  435  is supported by the body  402  via a plurality of support posts  439  extending upward from the body  402 . The cabin  435  is supported by the body  402  at a distance from the body  402 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the cabin  435  extends in the front/rear direction along the body center C 1 . The width of the cabin  435  is narrower than that of the hull  405 , and the length of the cabin  435  in the front/rear direction is shorter than that of the hull  405 . Therefore, the area of the cabin  435  is narrower than that of the hull  405 . When the vessel  401  is viewed from above, the cabin  435  is disposed at a position deflected to the rear side with respect to the hull  405 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the cabin  435  includes a hollow upper portion  435   a  that defines a closed passenger space, and a lower portion  435   b  extending downward from the upper portion  435   a . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the lower portion  435   b  is disposed between the right hull  405 R and the left hull  405 L, and extends in the front/rear direction along the body center C 1 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the length of the lower portion  435   b  in the front/rear direction is shorter than the right hull  405 R and the left hull  405 L. The lower portion  435   b  is disposed at a position deflected to the rear side with respect to the hull  405 . The propulsion unit  4  is held by the lower portion  435   b.    
     A cockpit is provided in the cabin  435 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the steering handle  8  and the seat  9  are disposed in the passenger space (inside the upper portion  435   a ). An output adjustment lever is also disposed in the passenger space although it is not illustrated. The steering handle  8  is disposed in the front portion of the passenger space, and the seat  9  is disposed at the rear of the steering handle  8 . The cabin  435  includes the plurality of windows (the front window  340 , door windows  341 , side windows  342 , and the rear window  343 ) provided on the front portion, the side portions, and the rear portion of the cabin  435 . Further, the cabin  435  includes side doors  345  integrated with the door windows  341 , provided on the right side portion and the left side portion of the cabin  435 . Steps  346  are attached to the side surfaces of the cabin  435  below the side doors  345 . The side doors  345  are, for example, swing doors openable and closable up and down around the upper end portions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the flying bridge  447  is supported by the cabin  435 . The flying bridge  447  is disposed at the uppermost portion of the vessel  401 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the flying bridge  447  is disposed along the body center C 1 . The area of the flying bridge  447  is narrower than that of the cabin  435 . The flying bridge  447  has a cup shape opened upward. The flying bridge  447  defines a passenger space. A step  448  (ladder) to be used for movement between the flying bridge  447  and the deck  406  is attached to the back surface of the cabin  435  at the rear of the flying bridge  447 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , a cockpit different from the above-described cockpit is provided inside the flying bridge  447 . Specifically, a steering handle  408  and a seat  409  are disposed inside the flying bridge  447 . An output adjustment lever is also disposed inside the flying bridge  447  although it is not illustrated. The seat  409  is an operator seat on which an operator sits. The propulsion unit  4  is connected to the two cockpits, and an operator can operate the propulsion unit  4  from each of the two cockpits. 
     As described above, in the fourth preferred embodiment, the cabin  435  independent of the hull  405  is provided. The cockpit is provided inside the closed cabin  435 . Therefore, an operator can steer the vessel  401  without getting wet in all weather. Further, the cockpit is disposed higher than the hull  405  and the steering position is high, so that visibility is high. In addition, the flying bridge  447  is disposed above the cabin  435 , and another cockpit is provided in the flying bridge  447 , so that an operator can operate the vessel  401  from a higher position by utilizing the flying bridge  447 . Therefore, an operator can operate the vessel  401  with more comfort. 
     Other Preferred Embodiments 
     The first to fourth preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, however, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the first to fourth preferred embodiments described above, and can be variously changed within the scope of claims. 
     For example, in the first and second preferred embodiments, a case where a rear door is preferably provided is described. However, it is also possible that the rear door is not provided, and the rear end portion of the deck is opened. 
     In the first preferred embodiment, a case where a division member is preferably provided at the intermediate portion in the front/rear direction of the flat portion is described, and in the second preferred embodiment, a case where the division member preferably is not provided at the intermediate portion in the front/rear direction of the flat portion. However, it is also possible that the division member is not provided in the vessel according to the first preferred embodiment, and the division member is provided in the vessel according to the second preferred embodiment. 
     In the first preferred embodiment, a case where a side seat is preferably provided is described, and in the second preferred embodiment, a case where a rear seat is preferably provided is described. However, it is also possible that a rear seat is provided in addition to the side seat in the vessel according to the first preferred embodiment. Similarly, it is also possible that a side seat is provided in addition to the rear seat in the vessel according to the second preferred embodiment. Of course, it is also possible that only the operator seat is provided and the side seat and the rear seat are not provided. Similarly, in the third and fourth preferred embodiment, it is also possible that at least one of the side seat and the rear seat is provided in addition to the operator seat, or only the operator seat is provided. 
     In the first preferred embodiment, a case where two propulsion units are preferably provided in the vessel is described. However, the number of propulsion units may be one, or may be three or more. Similarly, in the vessels according to the second to fourth preferred embodiments, the number of propulsion units is not limited to one, and may be two or more. 
     In the first to fourth preferred embodiments, a case where the propulsion unit preferably includes a reverse bucket is described. However, the propulsion unit may not include a reverse bucket. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.