Abstract: An improved amphibious drive system for a watercraft. The amphibious drive system features a paddled drive wheel which is operatively mounted to a drive frame. The drive frame pivots about a horizontal pivot joint. The drive wheel can thereby be raised and lowered with respect to the watercraft. In the elevated position the drive wheel is only partially submerged in the water (such that the drive wheel may operate like a paddlewheel). In the lowered position the drive is submerged more deeply in the water. The amphibious drive system also features a mount plate for attaching the amphibious drive system to the transom of the watercraft. A swing-arm frame links the drive frame to the mount plate. The swing-arm frame pivots in the horizontal direction relative to the watercraft via a vertically-oriented kingpin. This action angularly offsets the thrust from the drive wheel, thereby allowing steering.

Abstract: An improved amphibious drive system for a watercraft. The amphibious drive system features a paddled drive wheel which is operatively mounted to a drive frame. The drive frame pivots about a horizontal pivot joint. The drive wheel can thereby be raised and lowered with respect to the watercraft. In the elevated position the drive wheel is only partially submerged in the water (such that the drive wheel may operate like a paddlewheel). In the lowered position the drive is submerged more deeply in the water. The amphibious drive system also features a mount plate for attaching the amphibious drive system to the transom of the watercraft. A swing-arm frame links the drive frame to the mount plate. The swing-arm frame pivots in the horizontal direction relative to the watercraft via a vertically-oriented kingpin. This action angularly offsets the thrust from the drive wheel, thereby allowing steering.