A brake apparatus is provided for a water craft which has a hull. The brake apparatus includes a craft attachment unit attached to the hull of the water craft. A pair of combined hinge assembly/hinge-to-plate connection brackets is connected to the craft attachment unit. A brake plate is connected to the combined hinge assembly/hinge-to-plate connection brackets. A brake plate control assembly is connected to the brake plate. The brake plate control assembly includes a brake cable and a cable winder assembly which is connected between the brake cable and the brake plate for lifting and lowering the brake plate. The craft attachment unit is attached to a rear or stern portion of the water craft. Preferably, a return spring assembly is connected to the cable winder assembly. The return spring assembly returns the brake plate to a nonbraking mode or locked condition when braking action is no longer needed.