OUTPUT SHAFT STRUCTURE OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT

摘要

To provide an output shaft structure of a personal watercraft, which is capable of enhancing durability of the engine. An engine is mounted on a watercraft body with a crankshaft 21 extending in the longitudinal direction of the watercraft body. A shaft 35 of propulsion means is coupled to a rear end of the crankshaft in such a manner as to be disposed on an extension of the crankshaft. The crankshaft is supported by an engine case via a plain metal 26. An output shaft 22 provided separately from the crankshaft 21 is coupled to the rear end of the crankshaft, and the shaft 35 of the propulsion means is coupled to the rear end of the output shaft 21. The output shaft 22 is supported by the engine case via rolling bearings 27a and 27b immovable in a thrust direction. A spline is formed on or in each of the rear end of the crankshaft and the front end of the output shaft, and a spline 23a to be engaged with these splines is formed in or on an inner surface of a connection pipe 23. The rear end of the crankshaft is coupled to the front end of the output shaft 22 via the connection pipe 23. A gap C is formed between opposed faces of the rear end of the crankshaft and the front end of the output shaft.