Modular Watercraft Assembly

Abstract

A modular watercraft assembly and apparatus. In one embodiment, the watercraft assembly includes a divided floatation support member that provides buoyant support. The divided floatation support member includes a first pontoon and a second pontoon that are both longitudinally extensible pontoons. The longitudinally extensible pontoons each include at least two substantially rigid tubes that are telescopically extensible and collapsible in an annularly nested manner. The assembly further includes multiple substantially rigid cross members and multiple cross member fasteners for transversely coupling the cross members between the first and second pontoons of the divided floatation support member. When assembled the watercraft assembly provides buoyant support for a variety of different craft designs including but not limited to a sailing catamaran, a pedaloe, and others.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present invention relates generally to pontoon-type watercraft, and in particular to a watercraft assembly that may be readily assembled and disassembled prior to and following usage. More particularly, the watercraft assembly of the present invention includes a pair of pontoons each comprising annularly collapsible extruded tubes enabling the assembly to be stored and transported in a convenient, compact manner. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a modular watercraft assembly which form a universal platform from which a variety of different watercraft can be assembled.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Many forms of recreational watercraft are known. Variations in propulsion mechanisms include sail driven, manual oar driven, motorized and engine driven designs. A corresponding variety of hull and deck designs accommodate the different propulsion mechanisms. Ultimately, the many hull and pr...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Significant issues for most boat owners include storage and transport of the craft to and from water recreation sites.

Most sizable boats require trailer transport which adds substantial additional complexity, inconvenience, and cost to any boating excursion.

Furthermore, many boats used for cruising, fishing, skiing, etc., are 12 feet and longer and therefore require storage space comparable to or often greater than that required for a parked car.

Given the impossibility or inconvenience of storing a watercraft in an enclosed garage and the typical inability, due to lack of property space or neighborhood restrictions, to store the craft outside an enclosure, craft owners are often compelled to seek remote storage.

In addition to substantial storage expense, remote storage may only address the transport issues with respect to only the single storage / usage site.

However, smaller craft impose limited uses and limit the numbers of passengers that may be accommodated.

However, conventional inflatable watercraft have performance issues relating for example to lack of a stable deck and vulnerability to being breached by rough handling or contact with sharp objects.

Furthermore, as with other hull designs, the usages of inflatable type watercraft are generally limited in scope.

While ideally suited for various water recreation activities, the structural design of pontoon type craft, in terms of size and contour, pose particular problems relating to the aforementioned transport and storage issues faced by boat owners.

Pontoon type craft are “boxy” and generally large, making them particularly inconvenient to tow on a trailer and store.

Furthermore, as with other watercraft designs, conventional pontoon design is structurally fixed and is therefore limited in the number of different watercraft recreational activities which can be accommodated.

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