Docking and steering system

Abstract

A boat camper vessel 10 has a pair of pontoons 12, 13 joined by a bridge 44 that provides the deck of the vessel. A main canopy 22 stores in the bow when not is use. The raised canopy 22 is supported by ribs 220 and it extends from the bow 30 to a stern bulkhead 20 or 21. Two stern bulkheads 20, 21 define a stern compartment 60 has holds a toilet 29, shower 34 and water heater 35. An auxiliary canopy 88 covers the stem compartment 60. Marine electric motors in the pontoons drive propellers to propel the vessel. It be vessel is suitable for travel on canals, small lakes and other protected bodies or water. It may be docked or placed on land and will serve as a camper whether on water or land.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 764,830 (filed Jan. 26, 2004) which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 442.217 (filed Jan. 24, 2003). The entire content of both of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to recreational vehicles and, more particularly, a vehicle that serves both as camper and a boat. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The last fifty years have been marked by tremendous advances in recreational craft that enable a growing number of people to enjoy the outdoors with many of the pleasures and accommodations of home. In particular, advances in recreational vehicles of both the land and water types have resulted in more affordable and efficient crafts. Many of these craft are quite comfortable with enjoyable and very functional arrangements for cooking, bathing, sleeping and entertaining. [0004] There cont...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

On the other hand, when functions of two or more products are combined to provide one product, with intent to serve both purposes, compromises are sometimes necessary.

However, such products have limited the quality of some features or the functional performance of other features to what some users may consider unsatisfactory.

A disadvantage resulting from the minimal width, or from the proportion of width to length, is instability when the unit functions as a water vessel.

By way of further example, it is well known that trailerable house boats and campers may become unstable at high roadway speeds due to wind loading.

Prior boat steering systems are also deficient in that it is difficult to easily control the movement of the boat in certain circumstances.

For example, when docking a single-propeller boat the paddlewheel effect, also known as propeller walk, makes docking a particular challenge.

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