Abstract: A collapsible boat has a frame covered by a hull skin, the frame having two gunwales and a keel stringer terminating at two stem elements. The ends of the gunwales can be secured to the corresponding stem element by end connectors that connect to the stem element and are held by skin tension. Alternatively, the hull skin can secure the gunwale ends to the corresponding stem element, the gunwales residing in closed-ended gunwale sleeves and the hull skin being configured to secure the gunwale ends together and prevent upwards motion of the stem element. The closed ends can be openable to install the gunwales. To tension the hull skin over the frame, the keel stringer can have a central joint to allow installation in a bent configuration. The keel stringer is straightened during assembly to increase its effective length, causing the stem elements to forcibly engage the hull skin.

Abstract: A collapsible boat has a frame covered by a hull skin, the frame having two gunwales and a keel stringer terminating at two stem elements. The ends of the gunwales can be secured to the corresponding stem element by end connectors that connect to the stem element and are held by skin tension. Alternatively, the hull skin can secure the gunwale ends to the corresponding stem element, the gunwales residing in closed-ended gunwale sleeves and the hull skin being configured to secure the gunwale ends together and prevent upwards motion of the stem element. The closed ends can be openable to install the gunwales. To tension the hull skin over the frame, the keel stringer can have a central joint to allow installation in a bent configuration. The keel stringer is straightened during assembly to increase its effective length, causing the stem elements to forcibly engage the hull skin.

Abstract: A collapsible canoe has a frame which includes a pair of gunwales connected together at each end by a gunwale terminator, a thwart separating the gunwales, a series of ribs connected to the gunwales, a keel stringer and supplemental bottom stringers traversing the ribs, and a pair of stem elements attached to the keel stringer. The collapsible canoe also has a skin covering the frame which has two gunwale sleeves which engage the gunwales, side panels attached to the gunwale sleeves, a bottom panel attached to the side panels, and a pair of terminator panels connecting the side panels to each other and to the bottom panel. The skin may be tensioned by inflatable compartments between the frame and the skin. The skin may alternatively be tensioned by the ribs. In one embodiment, a prong attached to each stem element engages a slot in each terminator panel to stabilize the stem elements with respect to the gunwale terminators.

Abstract: A composite skin tar a collapsible canoe. The skin covers a frame which includes a pair of gunwales, ribs, and stringers. The skin has a pair of polymer-coated gunwale sleeves which slidably engage the gunwales, a pair of polymer-coated side panels, each attached to one of the gunwale sleeves, and a polymer-coated bottom panel attached to the side panels. In one embodiment of the skin, the side panels are attached to the bottom panel with a heat sealed seam. One aspect of the invention is the gunwale sleeves, each of which has a fabric layer, providing a surface with reduced friction to allow the gunwales to be inserted or removed without binding. Another aspect of the invention is the bottom panel, which is constructed from a bottom fabric substrate having an uncoated inner surface, to which is attached a foam pad. Preferably, longitudinal rub strips of a polymer film are bonded to the coated outer surface of the bottom panel.

Abstract: A boat seat having particular utility for canoes, the seat having a platform pivotably connected to a brace which has a brace first end region connected to the boat, and a brace second end region supported on or affixed to the shell of the boat. The platform can be maintained in a horizontal position or in an inclined position. For traditional canoes the brace first end region is attached to a thwart of the canoe. For collapsible canoes having a skin supported by a frame having stringers supported by ribs, the seat has a brace support. The brace support and the brace are supported by a base having a cross support and a supplemental cross support which traverse several stringers to distribute loads, and a retaining element which maintains the cross support and the supplemental cross support in a spaced apart relationship. A guiding element is engaged with the base and the frame to allow sliding motion therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is a boat seat having particular utility in canoes. The seat has a platform connected to a brace having a brace first end region connected to the boat, and a brace second end region supported on the shell of the boat via a load-distributing member such as a pad or cross support. Preferably the platform is pivotably mounted to the brace so that the platform can be maintained in a horizontal position or in an inclined position. For traditional canoes the brace first end region is attached to one of the thwarts of the canoe. For collapsible canoes which have a skin supported by stringers which in turn are supported by ribs, a brace support is also employed. The brace support and the brace are in turn supported by a base. The base is formed by a cross support resting across several stringers to distribute loads, a retaining element connecting to the cross support and to a rib of the canoe, and the rib to which the retaining element attaches.