Patent ID: 7841915

Claim:
A watercraft comprising: a hull; a deck disposed on the hull; an engine compartment defined between the hull and the deck; an engine disposed in the engine compartment; a steering assembly disposed at least in part on the deck; a jet pump connected to the hull and being operatively connected to the engine; a venturi connected to a rearward end of the jet pump; a variable trim system (VTS) support rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a VTS axis, the VTS axis extending generally laterally and horizontally; a steering nozzle rotationally mounted to the VTS support about a steering axis such that the steering nozzle rotates about the VTS axis with the VTS support, the steering axis being generally perpendicular to the VTS axis, the steering nozzle being operatively connected to the steering assembly and being disposed at least in part rearwardly of the venturi; a reverse gate rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a reverse gate axis, the reverse gate axis extending generally laterally and horizontally; and a rotary actuator having an output portion operatively connected to at least one of the VTS support and the reverse gate, the output portion being rotatable between a first angle, a second angle, and a third angle, rotation of the output portion between the first angle and the second angle causing a rotation of the VTS support about the VTS axis while a position of the reverse gate relative to the VTS support remains substantially the same, the position of the reverse gate relative to the VTS support being a stowed position, and rotation of the output portion between the second angle and the third angle causing a rotation of the reverse gate about the reverse gate axis between the stowed position and a second position while the VTS support remains in a fixed position relative to the venturi, the second position being a position wherein the reverse gate redirects a jet of water expelled from the steering nozzle when the engine is in operation.