Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a hybrid frame boat. The hybrid frame boat may include a cover and a drop-stitch port bladder, a drop-stitch starboard bladder, and a keel beam that may each couple to the cover. The cover may have an aft end portion, a forward end portion, a port side, a starboard side, a longitudinal length extending from the aft end portion to the forward end portion. The drop-stitch port bladder may extend along one or more portions of the port side of the cover. The drop-stitch starboard bladder may extend along one or more portions of the starboard side of the cover. The keel beam may extend along one or more portions of the longitudinal length of the cover between the drop-stitch port bladder and the drop-stitch starboard bladder.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a hybrid frame boat. The hybrid frame boat may include a cover and a drop-stitch port bladder, a drop-stitch starboard bladder, and a keel beam that may each couple to the cover. The cover may have an aft end portion, a forward end portion, a port side, a starboard side, a longitudinal length extending from the aft end portion to the forward end portion. The drop-stitch port bladder may extend along one or more portions of the port side of the cover. The drop-stitch starboard bladder may extend along one or more portions of the starboard side of the cover. The keel beam may extend along one or more portions of the longitudinal length of the cover between the drop-stitch port bladder and the drop-stitch starboard bladder.

Abstract: A removable sail for a paddle-style boat, such as a kayak preferably takes the form of a fast deploying down-wind sail attachable to a deck of the kayak. The sail includes a curved, but non-circular shaped flexible material coupled to a collapsible, continuous frame member, for example the frame member may be sewn into a channel made by the material. When mounted to the deck of the boat, the sail may be arranged in a deployed or a stowed configuration, the latter being deployable on the fly in that the sail can be quickly sprung into the deployable configuration. The non-circular shape of the sail cooperates with a hull shape of the boat while providing a sufficient surface area for capturing wind energy. The sail may also include a transparent region that helps prevent excessive amounts of spray from striking the paddler and yet still provides an adequate viewing range.

Abstract: A hybrid inflatable kayak is configured to rival the handling and speed of skin-on-frame or hard-shell kayaks, while simplifying the assembly and disassembly process. The hybrid inflatable kayak includes an internal frame assembly that cooperates with inflatable bladders and inflatable thwarts giving the kayak an improved watershed capacity and also an improved combination of weight, stability, speed, structural strength, and portability. The internal frame assembly includes a bow rib, a stern rib, and a number of frame members that attach together and extend lengthwise from bow to stern. Front and rear thwarts are inflatable and urge against the frame members and side bladders to put the frame members in tension, make the outer cover sufficiently taut, and provide a faster and more structurally robust design.

Abstract: A removable sail for a paddle-style boat, such as a kayak preferably takes the form of a fast deploying down-wind sail attachable to a deck of the kayak. The sail includes a curved, but non-circular shaped flexible material coupled to a collapsible, continuous frame member, for example the frame member may be sewn into a channel made by the material. When mounted to the deck of the boat, the sail may be arranged in a deployed or a stowed configuration, the latter being deployable on the fly in that the sail can be quickly sprung into the deployable configuration. The non-circular shape of the sail cooperates with a hull shape of the boat while providing a sufficient surface area for capturing wind energy. The sail may also include a transparent region that helps prevent excessive amounts of spray from striking the paddler and yet still provides an adequate viewing range.

Abstract: A hybrid inflatable kayak is configured to rival the handling and speed of skin-on-frame or hard-shell kayaks, while simplifying the assembly and disassembly process. The hybrid inflatable kayak includes an internal frame assembly that cooperates with inflatable bladders and inflatable thwarts giving the kayak an improved watershed capacity and also an improved combination of weight, stability, speed, structural strength, and portability. The internal frame assembly includes a bow rib, a stern rib, and a number of frame members that attach together and extend lengthwise from bow to stern. Front and rear thwarts are inflatable and urge against the frame members and side bladders to put the frame members in tension, make the outer cover sufficiently taut, and provide a faster and more structurally robust design.