Patent ID: 7172473

Claim:
A rudder position indicator apparatus comprising: a cam coupled to a steering linkage bar of a watercraft, the steering linkage bar having a longitudinal axis; a rudder mechanism coupled to the steering linkage bar of the watercraft, the rudder mechanism having at least one vertical rudder, wherein the at least one vertical rudder is pivotable about a vertical axis in response to a movement of the steering linkage bar along the longitudinal axis; a steering mechanism coupled to the rudder mechanism via the steering linkage bar such that movement of the steering mechanism effects movement of the vertical rudder; a switch coupled to a fixed portion of the watercraft, wherein the cam activates the switch when the vertical rudder of the watercraft is in a centered position; and an indicator in electrical communication with the switch to indicate to an operator of the watercraft when the rudder of the watercraft is in the centered position.