Patent ID: 8425269

Claim:
An auxiliary rudder system configured for use with a jet propelled watercraft having a directional nozzle drive system, the auxiliary rudder system comprising: a pair of spaced-apart fins, the fins being configured to be pivotally attached at one end to a proximal end of said nozzle drive system so that said fins pivot up or down along sides of said nozzle drive system; said fins extending in length from said proximal end of said nozzle drive system a predetermined distance beyond a jet water flow outlet of said nozzle drive assembly; a thrust operated actuator having opposing ends, each of the opposing ends of said actuator being attached to an inside surface of said fins, said actuator further having respective top and bottom surface, said actuator being dimensioned and configured to be subjected to a thrust force caused by a flow of water exiting said outlet; a side force stabilizer member configured to be fixed to an underside of a directional nozzle of said nozzle drive system, said stabilizer member being oriented transversely such that respective ends of said member are located juxtaposed said inside surface of said fins when said fins are in a down position; fin rotation stop means for limiting a rotation downwardly of said fins; and bias means for holding said fins in said down position, said bias means being configured to allow said fins to lift in an up position when an object is struck by said fins.