A personal watercraft is disclosed having a hull and a sub-deck together forming a hull and sub-deck (HSD) assembly. Left and right gunnels have generally vertical inner walls. The HSD assembly has a pedestal disposed on a longitudinal centerline of the watercraft generally between the forward portion of the left inner wall and the forward portion of the right inner wall. The pedestal has generally vertical left and right lateral walls. Left and right side channels are defined between the lateral walls of the pedestal and the forward portions of the inner walls. A rear channel is defined between the rearward portions of the left and right inner walls, and is disposed rearwardly of the pedestal on the longitudinal centerline of the watercraft. The width of the rear channel is narrower than the width of the pedestal. A personal watercraft having only a hull and a deck is also disclosed.