Patent ID: 6983713

Claim:
A watercraft, comprising: at least one hull having at least one planing surface; at least one vertical step in the planing surface; an onboard propulsion engine; and means for venting exhaust from the onboard propulsion engine at the vertical step in the planing surface while under way in order to introduce gas along the planing surface; said means for venting exhaust including means for venting a first proportion of the exhaust at the vertical step in the planing surface, including a first exhaust conduit that defines a first exhaust flow path leading to the vertical step in the planing surface; and said means for venting exhaust including means for venting a second proportion of the exhaust to atmosphere, including a second exhaust conduit that defines a second exhaust flow path leading to atmosphere; wherein the onboard propulsion engine is not an internal combustion engine with multiple cylinders exhausting through a corresponding number of exhaust ports at the underside.