Watercraft

Abstract

A small watercraft adapted to seat one or more riders in motorcycle fashion and which has a hull configured so as to facilitate leaning without capsizing. The foot area for the riders is such that a rider may either sit on the seat in straddle fashion or stand behind the seat and may move between these positions easily and while the watercraft is in motion.

We claim: 
     
       1. A hull for a small watercraft which facilitates leaning of the hull like a motorcycle when turning and which resists capsizing, said hull having a pair of widely spaced gunnels extending along its outer sides, a seat positioned between said gunnels and of a height to accommodate a rider in a partially standing posture, a pair of transversely spaced apart foot areas on opposite sides of said seat to accommodate the feet of a rider, a pair of generally downwardly converging side sections each extending from a respective gunnel to a lower hull area, the lower ends of said side sections being spaced apart a width substantially narrower in width than at said gunnels and disposed below the centers of said foot areas, said lower hull area being comprised of a flat central area and a pair of curved side portions connected at one side to said flat central area by a respective chine and connected at the other sides to said side sections, said side sections each being formed with a further chine spaced transversely outwardly from said foot areas and adjacent the respective of said gunnels and substantially above said lower ends. 
     
     
       2. A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 1 further including a rear deck area to the rear of the seat and sized for accommodating a rider standing thereon. 
     
     
       3. A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 2 wherein the foot areas on the side of the seat extend generally in a horizontal direction and are connected to the rear deck area by upwardly inclined sections against which a rider may brace his feet. 
     
     
       4. A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 2 further including a pair of grab handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat and wherein the rear deck area is open so that a rider may enter the watercraft from a body of water in which the watercraft is positioned from the rear. 
     
     
       5. A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 4 wherein the foot areas on the side of the seat extend generally in a horizontal direction and are connected to the rear deck area by upwardly inclined sections against which a rider may brace his feet.