Patent ID: 7381106

Claim:
A watercraft comprising a hull, a propulsion unit supported relative to the hull, a steering system configured to influence a direction of travel of the watercraft, the steering system comprising an operator steering control configured to rotate a steering shaft between a first maximum turning position and a second maximum turning position to permit an operator of the watercraft to control a position of the steering system, a force detection assembly configured to detect and output a signal indicative of a force further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to either of the first and second maximum turning positions, wherein the steering system comprises a fixed stop and a moveable stop, the movable stop fixed for movement with the steering shaft, the fixed stop and the movable stop contact one another to define the first and second maximum turning positions, and wherein the force detection assembly comprises a first load receiving element and a second load receiving element associated with one of the fixed and movable stops, and at least one sensor, the first load receiving element configured to receive a compressive load when force is further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to the first maximum turning position, the second load receiving element configured to receive a compressive load when force is further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to the second maximum turning position, the at least one sensor configured to produce an output signal corresponding to a load applied to either of the first and second load receiving elements, wherein the movable stop comprises a first stop surface and a second stop surface and the first and second load receiving elements are supported within an integral housing, wherein the housing defines, at least in part, the fixed stop, wherein the first load receiving element, the second load receiving element and the at least one sensor are sealed within the housing, with the exception of a contact surface of each of the first and second load receiving elements, by an elastically-deformable synthetic resin material.