Patent ID: 8480444

Claim:
A boat comprising: a stepped hull that includes: a transom, a planing bottom surface, a stepped bottom surface that is upwardly offset from the planing bottom surface, the stepped bottom surface being disposed between the planing bottom surface and the transom, wherein a rearward portion of the planing bottom surface is disposed between lateral portions of the stepped bottom surface such that the lateral portions of the stepped bottom surface step upwardly from the rearward portion of the planning bottom surface as the hull progresses laterally outwardly from the rearward portion, and a connecting surface extending between the planing bottom surface and the stepped bottom surface; an inboard engine supported by the hull, the engine having a drive shaft; a jet propulsion unit supported by the hull, the jet propulsion unit having an inlet that is at least partially disposed ( 1 ) on the rearward portion of the planning bottom surface, and (2) forwardly of the transom; and a drive connection between the drive shaft and the jet propulsion unit.