Portable personal watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft includes a number of subassemblies, including an inflatable hull, a drive system, a battery, a seat assembly and a steering and thrust control. Each of the subassemblies of may be of one or more particular designs which are detailed herein. A watercraft in accordance with the teaching herein may use one or more of these designs and each such watercraft is within the scope of this disclosure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to marine craft and more particularly to an extremely lightweight, easily transportable highly maneuverable personal watercraft for recreational and other boating purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Recreational boating has become very popular, not only in the United States, but throughout the world. Most small size personal watercraft are of a size and weight requiring a trailer to transport them to and from the launch site. Depending upon an individual's lifestyle and living accommodations, the use of a trailer may be precluded. For example, apartment dwellers in many locations do not have the space available to them for storing a boat and trailer when not in use. [0003] Other types of recreational boats include the canoe. While a canoe may be transported atop the roof of an automobile, such a watercraft must be paddled, although it is also possible to power a canoe with an outboard motor of some type. A furth...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0039] The electric motor of this craft drives a propeller or impeller that is housed in a safety cage that prevents accidental contact between swimmers or rocks or the lake bottom and the propeller or impeller. This safety cage may also incorporate one or more tubular sections with one or more motors per tubular section to improve the performance of the vessel while maintaining safety.

[0040] The thrust and steering system are preferably centrally located and may optionally incorporate means to trim the craft by controlling the direction of the water flow to and or from the propeller or impeller by means of a pivotally mounted horizontal member or members. Steering is accomplished either by turning the electric motor and the propeller or impeller attached thereto or by pivotally mounting a series of vertical members at the outlet of the propeller or impeller to control the direction of flow or by a combination of both of these methods which allows a very rapidly responsive steering system which allows steering with lesser turning of the controls.

Problems solved by technology

For example, apartment dwellers in many locations do not have the space available to them for storing a boat and trailer when not in use.

A further drawback of the canoe is that it is relatively slow and unmaneuverable and may be somewhat prone to tipping.

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