Abstract: A collapsible changing room for a pontoon boat having a rear entry stern gate. The collapsible changing room is formed in part by the passenger seat positioned adjacent the rear entry stem gate. An L-shaped bracket is rigidly secured to the rear portion of the seat and is further hingedly secured to a vertical fence member spaced from the seat back. The seat and the L-shaped support can be rotated upwardly away from the boat deck to a position in which the seat bottom is generally perpendicular to the boat deck. When the seat is rotated to this position, a curtain frame hingedly connected to the seat can be rotated from a stored position within the seat base to an extended position substantially parallel to the boat deck. An opaque sheet or curtain depends from the curtain frame in a substantially vertical orientation to form an enclosed changing or privacy room.

Abstract: A cover fastening system for affixing a cover to an object, e.g., a boat. A generally U-shaped retaining clip is affixed to the cover and is sized to fit about and selectively engage an outwardly protruding portion of the boat. In one embodiment, the retaining clip engages an aluminum extruded rail positioned generally about the perimeter of the boat. The retaining clip includes a retaining clip hook and the outwardly extending portion of the boat includes a protrusion. The retaining clip hook engages the protrusion to hold the retaining clip in place. The retaining clip hook is preferably positioned on a leg of the generally U-shaped retaining clip, which, in use, maintains a generally horizontal position. With this configuration, a generally horizontal force may be applied to the retaining clip to operably position same and engage the retaining clip hook with the protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gate assembly for a pontoon boat. The pontoon boat includes a platform deck atop a flotation device with a protective railing having fence sections and gate assemblies at least partially surrounding the deck. The gate assembly is disposed in a gap or opening in the protective fence between two of the fence sections and includes a gate, a gate stop, and a sliding hinge. The gate is attached by the hinge to one of the two fence sections at the opening of the protective railing, and the stop is attached to the other of the two fence sections and includes a stop member extending from the deck to near the top of the fence that will prevent the gate from swinging outwardly. The stop member includes a padding strip thereon between the stop member and the gate, which prevents rattling between the stop member and the gate.

Abstract: A cover fastening system for affixing a cover to an object, e.g., a boat. A generally U-shaped retaining clip is affixed to the cover and is sized to fit about and selectively engage an outwardly protruding portion of the boat. In one embodiment, the retaining clip engages an aluminum extruded rail positioned generally about the perimeter of the boat. The retaining clip includes a retaining clip hook and the outwardly extending portion of the boat includes a protrusion. The retaining clip hook engages the protrusion to hold the retaining clip in place. The retaining clip hook is preferably positioned on a leg of the generally U-shaped retaining clip, which, in use, maintains a generally horizontal position. With this configuration, a generally horizontal force may be applied to the retaining clip to operably position same and engage the retaining clip hook with the protrusion.

Abstract: A pontoon craft such as a vessel, a floating platform or a floating dock, having at least two pontoons, a deck extending between two of the pontoons, an elongate deck support bracket attached to a pontoon and having a first longitudinal slot which extends substantially the entire length of the bracket, and a fastener extending through the first slot and having a variable position therealong, wherein the deck is connected to the bracket by means of the fastener. The present invention also provides a pontoon craft having at least two pontoons, a deck extending between two of the pontoons, an elongate deck support bracket having a second longitudinal slot and attached to a surface of a pontoon at a joint, and an elongate trim member disposed in the second slot, the trim member depending from the second slot and covering the joint, whereby the joint is hidden from view.

Abstract: A pontoon boat having a flotation device, a deck, and a pair of side rails. The flotation device includes at least two pontoons and a support frame extending between the pontoons and having a pair of side edges. The deck is disposed atop the flotation device and has a top surface and a pair of side edges. The side rail has a generally angled shape and comprises a generally horizontal leg and a generally vertical leg. A free edge of the horizontal leg overlies a portion of the deck proximal a deck side edge. The vertical second leg depends over the support frame side edge. The horizontal leg substantially, horizontally extends the deck The rails include aligned inboard channels. Adjacent rails connect to one another by means of a plate or other member disposed in and attached to the inboard channel at the terminal ends of two adjoining rails providing for a non-overlapping joint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a boat comprising a retractable top, at least one strut having a first end attached to the top, and motor driven retraction device attached to the boat. The electrically driven device is attached to the boat and operatively coupled to the strut by means of a rack and pinion arrangement. The strut is moved between its first and second positions by the electrically driven device, whereby the top is electrically raised and lowered.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ingress/egress system for allowing ingress/egress to and from a fixed structure, such as a pier or dock, and a boat having a superstructure. The ingress/egress system includes a ramp connected to the superstructure, which ramp is movable between a first position and a second position. At least two rigid extension arms are pivotally connected to the superstructure, with each extension arm including a device for connecting to the fixed structure. The extension arms together define a device for controlling movement of the boat in directions toward and away from the fixed structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a boat having a buoyant lower portion and a plurality of upstanding support members connected to the lower portion. The top for the boat includes two end rails, two side rails respectively connected to the end rails, and a roof extending between and connected to the side rails and end rails. The side rails are comprised of a metal extrusion defining a first channel which is generally U-shaped and opens in a generally downward direction. The upstanding support members are received within the first generally U-shaped channel. In another aspect of the invention, the two side rails comprise an extrusion including a curved intermediate portion having a convex exterior profile. The roof is attached at one edge of the curved intermediate portion. In yet another aspect of the invention, the side rail comprises an extrusion including a recess which receives at least one of the upstanding support members.

Abstract: A decking system for a boat includes a deck substructure composed of aluminum cross members attachable on pontoons of the boat, and elongated aluminum deck planks being attachable to the cross members of the deck substructure in side-by-side relation to one another and thereabove to provide a deck platform upon the deck substructure. The planks include a pair of planks at outer sides of the deck platform and a plurality of middle planks therebetween. Each outer side and middle plank has a main platform-forming portion with a pair of opposite longitudinal edges thereon and plank-supporting rail and runner portions depending adjacent the edges of the platform-forming portion. Tongue and chennel portions are defined along the respective edges to provide mating between adjacent ones of the planks.