Personal watercraft having a removable pedestal

Abstract

A personal watercraft is described having a hull, an engine disposed in the hull, a propulsion unit driven by the engine, and a steering unit to steer the propulsion unit. A deck is supported above the hull. The deck includes an opening therethrough to provide access to the engine. A pedestal is disposed on the deck and releasably fastened to the deck. The pedestal includes an opening therethrough. The pedestal opening is disposed at a position vertically above the deck opening. A seat is supported by the pedestal and releasably fastened thereto. The seat is moveable from a first position where the seat covers the pedestal opening to at least a second position where the seat does not cover the pedestal opening.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A personal watercraft comprising: 
 a hull;    a deck supported on the hull;    an engine disposed between the hull and the deck;    a propulsion unit driven by the engine;    the deck including a deck opening therethrough to provide access to the engine;    a removable pedestal disposed on the deck;    the pedestal including a pedestal opening therethrough, the pedestal opening being disposed at a position vertically above the deck opening; and    a seat supported by the pedestal and releasably attached to the pedestal, the seat being moveable from a first position where the seat covers the pedestal opening to at least a second position where the seat does not cover the pedestal opening.    
     
     
         2 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the removable pedestal is releasably fastened to the deck.  
     
     
         3 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the deck includes a raised portion that extends upwardly therefrom to receive the pedestal thereon.  
     
     
         4 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal disposed between the deck and the pedestal.  
     
     
         5 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the deck includes a pedestal support surface disposed proximate to the deck opening, and    the pedestal includes a deck contact surface arranged to mate with the pedestal support surface.    
     
     
         6 . The watercraft of  claim 5 , further comprising a seal disposed between the pedestal support surface and the deck contact surface.  
     
     
         7 . The watercraft of  claim 6 , further comprising a skirt that extends downwardly vertically below the deck contact surface and the seal, the skirt being disposed in an overlapping relationship with at least a portion of the deck.  
     
     
         8 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch assembly releasably connecting the seat to the pedestal.  
     
     
         9 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises at least first and second seat sections.  
     
     
         10 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the deck opening is large enough to allow the removal of the engine as a unit therethrough.  
     
     
         11 . The watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein the pedestal opening is smaller than the deck opening.  
     
     
         12 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the pedestal comprises a first removable horizontal section disposed on the deck and a second removable horizontal section disposed on the first removable horizontal section.  
     
     
         13 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the pedestal comprises at least two vertical sections connected together.  
     
     
         14 . The watercraft of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the vertical sections includes a rear wall of the pedestal.  
     
     
         15 . The watercraft of  claim 5 , wherein the pedestal support surface is lower than a top portion of the engine.  
     
     
         16 . A personal watercraft comprising: 
 a hull;    a deck supported on the hull;    an engine disposed between the hull and the deck;    a propulsion unit driven by the engine;    the deck including a deck opening therethrough to provide access to the engine;    a pedestal disposed on the deck;    the pedestal having port, starboard, and rear walls, and first and second pedestal sections;    at least the second pedestal section being removable and including a portion of the rear wall.    
     
     
         17 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the first and second pedestal sections are horizontal sections; and    the second pedestal section is disposed on top of the first pedestal section.    
     
     
         18 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second pedestal sections are vertical sections.  
     
     
         19 . The watercraft of  claim 18 , wherein the first pedestal section is integral with the deck.  
     
     
         20 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , further comprising a seat supported by the pedestal and releasably attached to the pedestal.