Abstract: Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.

Abstract: Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.

Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back above a seat bottom. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as a forward-facing reclined seat such that a forward rotation of the forward-facing seat to a flat position with the seat bottom causes a rearward rotation of the rearward-facing seat to a reclined position. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured form a reclined seat in a rearward-facing configuration.

Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back above a seat bottom. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as a forward-facing reclined seat such that a forward rotation of the forward-facing seat to a flat position with the seat bottom causes a rearward rotation of the rearward-facing seat to a reclined position. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured form a reclined seat in a rearward-facing configuration.

Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back above a seat bottom. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as a forward-facing reclined seat such that a forward rotation of the forward-facing seat to a flat position with the seat bottom causes a rearward rotation of the rearward-facing seat to a reclined position. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured form a reclined seat in a rearward-facing configuration.

Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as an essentially flat surface that can serve as an expansive sun bathing platform. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured in a comfortable lounging arrangement that can be forward-facing or rearward-facing.

Abstract: In one aspect, a boat lift includes a base, a boat support pivotally attached to a given portion of the base, and one or more stabilizers extending from the given portion of the base.

Abstract: Automatically adjustable seating apparatus are described. The automatically adjustable seating apparatus include first and second seat bottom portions that at least one of which is moveable. The first and/or second seat bottom portions are moveable by automatic adjusters that alter the position of a seat bottom portion between a retracted position and an extended position. When the moveable seat bottom portion or portions are in their retracted position, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus is configured as two seats back-to-back, and when the seat bottom portion or portions are in their extended positions, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus forms a substantially flat surface.

Abstract: In one aspect, a boat lift includes a base, a boat support pivotally attached to a given portion of the base, and one or more stabilizers extending from the given portion of the base.

Abstract: Automatically adjustable seating apparatus are described. The automatically adjustable seating apparatus include first and second seat bottom portions that at least one of which is moveable. The first and/or second seat bottom portions are moveable by automatic adjusters that alter the position of a seat bottom portion between a retracted position and an extended position. When the moveable seat bottom portion or portions are in their retracted position, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus is configured as two seats back-to-back, and when the seat bottom portion or portions are in their extended positions, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus forms a substantially flat surface.

Abstract: Boats can include an elevation-adjustable platform. For example, some boats can include an aft swim platform that is elevation-adjustable to facilitate convenient movement of people between the boat and the water. The elevation-adjustable platforms can be integrally manufactured as an extension to the hull or deck of a new boat, or manufactured separately and subsequently affixed to a previously manufactured boat.

Abstract: Boats can be adapted to generate a wake that is well-suited for the sport of wake surfing. For example, boats can include an aft platform with a contoured underside that contacts water to generate such a wake for wake surfing. In some embodiments, the contoured underside of the platform includes dual opposing wake-shaping surfaces that shape the water flowing aft from the boat hull to create a wake shape that is well-suited for wake surfing. The aft platforms can be integrally manufactured as an extension to the hull or deck of a new boat, or manufactured separately and subsequently affixed to a previously manufactured boat.

Abstract: Automatically adjustable seating apparatus are described. The automatically adjustable seating apparatus include first and second seat bottom portions that at least one of which is moveable. The first and/or second seat bottom portions are moveable by automatic adjusters that alter the position of a seat bottom portion between a retracted position and an extended position. When the moveable seat bottom portion or portions are in their retracted position, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus is configured as two seats back-to-back, and when the seat bottom portion or portions are in their extended positions, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus forms a substantially flat surface.

Abstract: Automatically adjustable seating apparatus are described. The automatically adjustable seating apparatus include first and second seat bottom portions that at least one of which is moveable. The first and/or second seat bottom portions are moveable by automatic adjusters that alter the position of a seat bottom portion between a retracted position and an extended position. When the moveable seat bottom portion or portions are in their retracted position, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus is configured as two seats back-to-back, and when the seat bottom portion or portions are in their extended positions, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus forms a substantially flat surface.

Abstract: Boats including elevated walkways that are useful for increasing cabin height in a boat, such as a bow rider style boat, are described. Such elevated walkways are elevated relative to either a cockpit deck portion or a deck portion of a bow area and can be used to connect the bow area to the cockpit area. The cabin of a boat with an elevated walkway as described is located at least partially below the elevated walkway. The portion of the cabin below the elevated walkway has a ceiling area that is elevated relative to either the deck portion of the bow area or the cockpit area deck portion where the elevated walkway overlaps the cabin space. Elevated walkways as described herein are located on the boat such that they either overlap the central longitudinal axis of the boat or the end of the elevated walkway near the cockpit is located between port and starboard dash consoles.

Abstract: Automatically adjustable bunk apparatus are described that can be used, for example, in applications in which space is limited, such as, for example, boats and recreational vehicles. The automatically adjustable bunk apparatus can be configured in an extended bunk configuration or a space saving retracted configuration. The automatically adjustable bunk apparatus have a substantially horizontal portion and an adjustable portion either of which can be configured to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the automatically adjustable bunk apparatus is in its retracted configuration, the adjustable portion is positioned outside the plane of the horizontal portion, and when the automatically adjustable bunk apparatus is in its extended position, the horizontal portion and the adjustable portion form a substantially flat surface.

Abstract: Boats including elevated walkways that are useful for increasing cabin height in a boat, such as a bow rider style boat, are described. Such elevated walkways are elevated relative to either a cockpit deck portion or a deck portion of a bow area and can be used to connect the bow area to the cockpit area. The cabin of a boat with an elevated walkway as described is located at least partially below the elevated walkway. The portion of the cabin below the elevated walkway has a ceiling area that is elevated relative to either the deck portion of the bow area or the cockpit area deck portion where the elevated walkway overlaps the cabin space. Elevated walkways as described herein are located on the boat such that they either overlap the central longitudinal axis of the boat or the end of the elevated walkway near the cockpit is located between port and starboard dash consoles.