Water-borne craft

Abstract

The present invention provides a water-borne craft comprising a flotation board for personal use (e.g. one or two man use) wherein the board has towards its leading edge/nose a portal formed in the board through which a user lying prone on the board may view underwater, the board being further provided with paddle means for propulsion of the board by a user while lying face down/prone on the board.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns water-borne craft and in particular concerns personal craft of the floating board type such as surf/body boards or which are otherwise known as water-sports boards.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When holidaying at sheltered beach resorts around calm, clear-watered areas, leisurely water based pursuits such as snorkelling are particularly popular pastimes. By contrast, in more turbulent coastal areas with strong winds and waves, water-sports such as wind-surfing, kite-surfing, surf boarding or body/boogie boarding are, appropriately, more popular.

Surf boarding and body boarding are active sports that exploit hydrodynamic features of specially streamlined full body length, finned or shortened, finless flotation boards, respectively, to enable a user to ride incoming waves. In the more basic form of the body/boogie board, the finless shortened-length flotation board initially supports the upper body of a swimmer whose legs are submerged to propel the board through the water until a good surfing zone is reached at which point the user can haul themselves more fully onto the board's deck, suitably lifting their feet from the water to then ride the surf. Given that these sports require a level of fitness and skill they are not ideally suited to all, but their appeal is widespread.

The present invention seeks to provide an innovative design of flotation board that is suitable for use by a wide range of different individuals irrespective of physique and skill, which may be used primarily for exercise and fun and which is not simply for use by sports enthusiasts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water-borne craft comprising a flotation board for personal use (e.g. one or two man use) wherein the board has towards its leading edge/nose a portal formed in the board through which a user lying prone on the board may view underwater, the board being further provided with paddle means for propulsion of the board by a user while lying face down/prone on the board.

Particularly preferably the paddle means are hand-operated.

In a first embodiment the paddle means comprise one or more paddles and the or each paddle is mounted to the board via a respective shaft extending substantially longitudinally of the board and whereby the paddle may slide along the shaft forwardly or rearwardly of the board. Suitably the or each paddle is arranged to pivotally collapse toward the underside of the board as the paddle is moved forwardly in the water. Preferably the or each paddle is formed with a scoop-like shape, having at least side walls projecting from opposing side edges of a main planar portion of the paddle. Suitably the or each paddle has a handle extension extending upwardly from the point of sliding mounting of the paddle to the shaft toward the user from the plane of the board.

The board suitably is further provided with a foot rest means at its rear end/tail whereby a user may lie on the board with their feet against the foot rest to stabilise themselves when using the hand-operated propulsion means. The foot rest is suitably adjustably mounted to the board whereby it may be adjusted to suit different heights of user of the board.

Suitably the hand-operated propulsion means has two independently operable paddle means, one toward its left-hand side and one towards its right-hand side. The user may thereby alternately operate the right and left-hand paddle means or even operate them simultaneously and can use differences in operation of the right and left-hand paddle means to serve as a means of steering the board.

In further preferred refinements of the board, it is provided with one or more cushioning pad means on its upper surface on which the user may lie for the user's comfort and to raise the user slightly from the level of the board to better operate the paddle means and also facilitating viewing through the viewing port. Where cushioning means are provided this suitably comprises a plurality of pads or pad regions spaced apart lengthwise of the board.

Since the board is designed for relatively low speed use and is broad it is relatively stable, thus to facilitate hand-powered manoeuvring it suitably has substantially no fin on its underside/hull.

Particularly preferably the board is assembled of one or more major longitudinal sections that are coupled together in use. Decoupling of the longitudinal sections enables the board to be stowed in a much more compact state for storage or travel. For example, by forming the board in two sections of substantially equal length, a fore portion and an aft portion, these may be stacked one on top of another to occupy a space half the length of the assembled board. The releasable coupling of the longitudinal sections of the board may comprise a pin-in-slot coupling.

In a further refinement, the board may be coupled to one or more lateral board sections to provide a side stabilisation effect in the manner of a catamaran or similar. Lateral releasable coupling of board sections may also be used as a means for providing tandem configurations of board for two or more users to work together. Thus, for example, paired coupled boards may be used for training purposes or for two or more people to share propulsion of the assembled boards. Laterally coupled sections/boards may be releasably coupled in a pin-in-slot manner as per the longitudinal section couplings.

Particularly preferably the coupling together of two or more major longitudinal sections involves complementary shaped portions on each section and particularly preferably the coupling comprises a hinge. Suitably the hinge is formed in one or more protrusions from the underside of the board, suitably where a fore end of an aft section overlaps an aft end of a fore section of the board. Furthermore, the fore end of the aft section and aft end of the fore section are suitably releasably bolted together in use.

Preferably the hand operated paddle means or propulsion means comprises at least one hand operated rotary propeller. Preferably the rotary propeller comprises at least one vane spanning an annulus whereby the propeller may serve also as a wheel by means of which the board may be wheeled over the ground.

Preferably the viewing port in the board has upper and lower transparent viewing panels, suitably formed as a viewing turret, wherein the upper viewing panel is mounted via a hinge mounting whereby it may be tilted open by a user of the board to mop the underside of the panel clean of condensation etc and/or to facilitate tipping of water out from within the port. Preferably the viewing port or a panel of the viewing port is demountable for replacement or maintenance.

Suitably the board has drainage flutes/channels around the viewing port at an upper end of a turret of the viewing port and which drainage flutes/channels are inclined to drain water away from the viewing port.

Preferably the board is provided with a plurality of alternative footrest positions comprising multiple prominences located proximate the aft of the board. Suitably the footrest prominences are formed in one or more wells/recesses in the board. Drainage channels may be formed in the wells to drain water entering the wells to drainage holes that pass through the board for discharge of water.

Preferably the hand operated paddle means or propulsion means comprises at least one hand operated rotary propeller.

Suitably the rotary propeller comprises at least one vane spanning an annulus whereby the propeller may serve also as a wheel by means of which the board may be wheeled over the ground.

Suitably the board has drainage flutes/channels around the viewing port at an upper end of a turret of the viewing port and which drainage flutes/channels are inclined to drain water away from the viewing port.

Preferably the board is provided with a plurality of alternative footrest positions comprising multiple prominences located proximate the aft of the board and suitably the footrest prominences are formed in one or more wells/recesses in the board. Preferably drainage channels are formed in the wells to drain water entering the wells to drainage holes that pass through the board for discharge of water.

Suitably the propeller is mounted on a shaft of a crank handle and is demountable from the shaft of the crank handle, preferably by a snap-fit arrangement having resilient retention means whereby manipulating the resilient retention means may release the propeller from the shaft of the crank handle.

Preferably the board has sockets or other engagement means thereon that co-operatively engage in use with legs of a canopy to protect the board user from over-exposure to the sun

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a first preferred embodiment of water craft;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the water craft showing one paddle at its forward-most position of stroke and fully extended while the other paddle is at its rear-most position of stroke and collapsed against the underside to begin a forward stroke;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the water craft;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but of the fore and aft longitudinal sections of the water craft disassembled from each other for storage or transport;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the nose/fore end of the craft from above, showing the pivotal sliding mount of the paddles to the board;

FIG. 6 is a plan view from above of a second preferred embodiment of the water craft having rotary paddles and with a hinge mechanism for collapsing together a front and rear sections of the craft for storage or transport;

FIG. 7 is plan view of the underside of the second preferred embodiment of water craft;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 6 craft folded to its stowed state;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the folded stowed FIG. 6 craft;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view from above of a third preferred embodiment of the water craft;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a drive shaft and crank handle assembly of the FIG. 13 craft;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the FIG. 13 craft from the underside;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the craft from above illustrating the canopy installed;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the craft with canopy installed; and

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the craft showing a modified cushion located on the craft.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, the illustrated water craft is a full body length flotation board 1, akin to a surf board but having a relatively very broad fore end/nose 2 and having an overall deck 3a shape in plan that is broader than a surf board (and broader even than a body board) and which is broadest close to the nose 2, unlike a body board. At the tail end 4 of the board 1 is a footrest 5 for the user to press their feet against while lying stretched out in a face-down/prone position on the board 1.

The craft is not hydro-dynamically optimised for surfing in the manner of a surf board or a body board. It is broadened to be adapted for manual mechanised propulsion at the fore end 2 and to enable the user to view the underwater environment and manoeuvre themselves conveniently while doing so. The board is designed for relatively low speed use and being broad it is relatively stable, thus to facilitate hand-powered manoeuvring it has no fin on its underside/hull 3b, unlike a surf board.

The fore end/nose 2 edge of the craft is suitably of the order of at least 60 cm in width for use by smaller individuals or maybe a metre or more in width for larger individuals. The nose 2 edge itself is relatively gently curved forwardly and not sharply tapered unlike a surf board. The width of the fore end/nose 2 of the board 1 is broad enough to accommodate a central viewing portal 10 formed extending through the board 1 and further to incorporate sliding paddles 20 that are hand operable to propel the board 1 through the water.

The viewing portal 20 is formed by a rectangular aperture extending downwardly right through the board 1 and which is glazed at its bottom with a pane or laminated panel 11 of glass, acrylic, polycarbonate or other suitable transparent and robust glazing material. The pane 11 is deeply recessed into the board 1 and thus the sides of the aperture 1 provide a simple viewing cowl effect to cut down on glare from overhead sun and from the surrounding sea surface. A further extended or separate cowl/hood arrangement may also be added to the board 1 if desired, for more details on which see the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 12 and 13 to 18.

As shown, the propulsion mechanism comprises a pair of paddles 20, 20′ that are provided, one on each side of the port 10 and to be operated by the left and right hand of the user, respectively. Each paddle 20, 20′ is formed as a scoop, having a substantially planar, rectangular panel with opposing upstanding lateral walls 20a, optionally with an upturned terminal lip, to enhance the propulsion force applied by the paddles 20.

The paddles 20, 20′ are each hingedly mounted to the board 1 by a longitudinally sliding hinge mount 21, 21′. The hinge mounts 21, 21′ each incorporate a collar 22,22′ that slides along a respective shaft 23, 23′ extending longitudinally of the board and built into the board 1. The shafts 23, 23′ are substantially parallel to each other and accommodated in respective elongate rectangular apertures 23,23′ that extend right through the board 1. Handles 25, 25′ are provided extending upwardly from the apertures 23,23′, being fitted to the top of each respective mounting collar 22,22′.

The simple propulsion mechanism is relatively easy to operate and is relatively versatile in use. A user lying prone, i.e. face down, on the board is supported by cushioned padded areas 26a,b,c of the board and rests/presses their feet against the position-adjustable foot rest 5 at the tail end 4 of the board 1. The foot rest 5 is position-adjustable by virtue of a peg-in-socket locking mechanism to enable the foot rest 5 to be advanced forwardly or moved rearwardly to accommodate different heights of individual user.

With the user in place, they are in a position to easily view through the viewing port and to easily reach the handles 25,25′ of the propulsion mechanism that extend upwardly from the mounting collars 22, 22′. By gripping each handle 25, 25′ and moving the respective handle/paddle 20,20′ forwardly, the paddle is collapsed by the water pressure toward the underside 3b of the board 1 and thus presenting a relatively low surface area for minimising drag as it is moved forwardly to its forwardmost position. The user then pulls back on the handle 25,25′, moving the collar and paddle 20,20′ rearwardly along the respective shaft 23,23′ and in the process the paddle on its hinge is dragged by water pressure to its fully extended position that is substantially orthogonal to the board 1 and which thereby optimises the propulsive force applied. When each paddle again reaches it rearmost position of movement along the shaft the user repeats the operation cycle, moving handle and paddle forwardly and with it collapsing against the underside of the board 1 in the process.

By having independent respective paddles 20,20′ on each side of the board 1, the user has the freedom to operate one separately of the other and thereby steer the craft to move left or right or pursue a substantially circular motion. The paddles may be used alternately or simultaneously if desired. Accordingly, the propulsion and manoeuvring of the craft is straightforward. Although the means of propulsion would be tiresome to operate for a protracted period of time were travel the only purpose of the craft, since the craft's primary role is as a means of viewing the underwater world, this is in practice not a problem and the combination of features of the craft of the present invention is optimal for its purpose.

The board 1 may be formed of fibreglass or other lightweight composites, using the same or similar materials as those used in surf board or body board construction. However, not only is the shape and configuration of the board radically different from a conventional surfboard, it is also adapted to be modular in construction having fore and aft longitudinal sections/modules 1a, 1b that are releasably coupled together to enable the board to be stowed in a much more compact state for storage or travel. As can be seen in FIG. 4, a pair of rectangular section rods/pins 6 projecting from the rear end edge of the fore section 1a are configured to securely locate into corresponding sockets 7 in the fore end edge of the aft section 1b. The arrangement suitably has a push fit/friction fit action whereby the sections will not come apart in use.

In a corresponding development for use of two or more boards in tandem/as a catamaran arrangement, although not illustrated, a similar releasable coupling means may be provided on the sides/rails 27 of the board 1. With further regard to the sides/rails 27 of the board 1, it will be further noted from the drawings that these are each provided with a raised rim 27a to give even greater strength to the construction of the board 1 and the resulting greater height of the rail 27 will further facilitate side-by-side joining of boards 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 12, these show a second preferred embodiment of the water craft and of which the flotation board 1′ is formed as a plastics moulding that is suitably formed of EPP by a rotational moulding process. It comprises a fore section 1a′ and aft section 1b′ similarly arranged to the first preferred embodiment but both specially shaped to be coupled together and being hinged together by a hinge 30 at the junction between the fore and aft sections 1a′ and 1b′. Use of two longitudinal sections shaped to couple together in construction of the board affords substantial economy and much greater flexibility in moulding of the board.

The co-operating elements of the hinge 30 are suitably integrally moulded from the respective fore and aft sections 1a′, 1b′. The pivoting axis of the hinge 30 is configured on the underside of the board 1′ in inter-digitating downwardly protruding extensions 31a, 31b of the board 1′.

The sections 1a′, 1b′ may thus be folded together so that their underside surfaces are brought into closely adjacent substantially plane parallel relationship to each other providing a compact stowed state and in which the underside of the board is protected. The underside of the board 1′ further has integrally moulded fore and aft small fin-shaped feet protrusions 33 on which the craft may be rested on the ground giving ground clearance.

When in its operative state as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, the board 1′ is locked in that state by overlapping of a fore edge 34 of the aft section 1b′ with an aft edge 35 of the fore section 1a′ and where those two edges 34, 35 are secured in their overlapping arrangement by a securing bolt means—here a moulded plastics bolt 37a having an external thread, which extends down through corresponding threaded apertures 36, 37 in the respective edges 34, 35.

Again, for ease of handling of the device for transport and storage, it is suitably provided with a handle at one or both ends and is illustrated in FIG. 6 as having a handle cut-out region 38a at the aft end of the aft section 1b′. Further handle cut-outs 38b are provided on the fore end of the aft section 1b′ and which is on its upper surface extended forwardly to provide the overlap with the aft end of the fore section 1a′. By means of these handle cut-outs 38 in the fore edge 34 of the rear section 1b′ of the board 1′, the user may more readily handle and carry the board 1′ in its folded state. A hole 38c is provided at the nose end of the board's fore section 1a′ for tethering the board with a rope or the like and a cup-holder recess 73 is also provided in the fore section 1a′.

In further substantial distinction over the first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment is provided with a pair of rotary hand driven propellers 40 on the fore section 1a′, either side of the viewing port 10′.

Each respective propeller 40 is formed of a unitary plastics moulding comprising an annulus 41 with four vanes 42 arranged in a cross traversing the annulus 41 and projecting from a planar cross-shaped web traversing the annulus 41.

The annulus 41 not only strengthens the propeller 40 but also enables it to have dual functionality, serving as a wheel by means of which the board 1′ may be trundled over the ground if needed, either while the board is extended and inverted or while the board is folded.

Each propeller 40 is mounted to the board fore section 1a′ by an axle shaft 43 that extends through a hole through a raised cradle mount 27b formed from a raised portion of the sides/rails 27′ of the board 1′. A respective crank handle 44 is provided coupled to each of the shafts 43 of the respective propellers 40 to enable the user to operate the respective propeller 40 by rotating the crank handle 44. The upper face/deck of the board 1′ is provided with a recessed zone 74 immediately below each crank handle 44 to provide extra clearance for the user's hands.

Referring to FIG. 14, this illustrates the preferred structure of the axle shaft 43/crank handle 44, showing that it is suitably formed with a unitary plastics moulding skeleton 45 having a flattened S-shaped form and one end of which is adapted to function as the axle shaft 43, having a rectangular/acircular sleeve 46 mounted thereover and the other end providing the crank handle 44 with a circular cylindrical handle sleeve 47 thereon. The tubular handle sleeve 47 is push-fitted on to the skeleton 45 by sliding over a resilient member/collett fingers 48 at that end of the skeleton 45 until the sleeve 47 abuts an annular stop flange 49 having passed behind retention shoulders 50 of the collett fingers 48. The collett fingers 48 thus resiliently deform to allow the sleeve 47 to be mounted in place and as they spring back into position they retain the sleeve 47 in place. Conversely, the sleeve 47 may be demounted by squeezing together the collett fingers 48 and backing the sleeve 47 off the skeleton 45.

At the propeller end of the drive shaft skeleton 45, a similar arrangement is provided for demountably securing the axle shaft sleeve 46 in place. Here too collett fingers 48 on the skeleton 45 can resiliently deform to allow the axle shaft sleeve 46 to be push mounted on to that end of the skeleton 45 before springing back into place to retain the sleeve 46. From FIG. 14 it will be seen that a further sleeve is provided on the skeleton 45 and which is mounted on the skeleton 45 ahead of the axle shaft sleeve 46, this further sleeve is a bush collar 51, which press fits into the hole of the cradle mount 27b at the front of the board 1. This bush 51 is suitably fitted when the board 1 moulding is warmed so that the moulding contracts around the bush sleeve 51 but may be adapted to be removable when it needs replacing. The nylon bush 51 abuts up against an annular stop flange 49′ on the skeleton 45. The bush 51 has a circular cylindrical inner surface and surrounds a circular cylindrical outer profile of the skeleton 45 whereby the skeleton 45 may rotate within the bush 51. The same is true of the handle sleeve 47 which is able to rotate around the skeleton 45 since it too has a circular cylindrical bore and where that portion of the skeleton 45 has a circular cylindrical outer profile.

The axle shaft sleeve 46 differs from the other two sleeves 47, 51 in that it is rectangular or acircular in external profile but also in internal profile and is thus keyed to the drive shaft skeleton 45 to rotate therewith but not thereabout. The propeller 40 has a correspondingly rectangular shaped hub recess that mounts over the rectangular external profile of the drive shaft sleeve 46, keying the propeller 40 to the drive shaft sleeve 46 and hence to the axle shaft skeleton 45 so that cranking revolutionary movement of the hand end 44 of the skeleton 45 will cause the skeleton 45 to revolve within the bush 51 and will cause the propeller 40 to revolve about its axis.

The construction of the axle shaft/drive shaft assembly having resiliently deformable retention means 48 at each end enables demounting of the propeller from the axle shaft 45 to further facilitate storage or transport of the board 1 if the axle shaft further needs to be demounted for compactness or to facilitate maintenance or replacement of those working parts. The handle sleeve 47 is also demountable for maintenance or replacement.

Turning now to the viewing port 10′, this differs from the viewing port of the first embodiment by having a raised cowl 60 formed as an integral part of the moulding of the board 1′ and which has a rectangular shape in plan but in profile is inclined downwardly in the aft direction of the board. The viewing port 10′ is configured as a viewing turret and as viewed in plan from above as in FIG. 6 the sides of the cowl 60 all taper downwardly. Furthermore, as viewed from the underside as in FIG. 7, it will be seen that the viewing port 10′ underside substantially conforms to the tapering cowl walls 60 of the top surface and thus has a relatively broad aperture area at the base compared to the upper aperture area of the viewing port 10′. In this embodiment, the viewing port 10′ has two glazing panels—one 11a′ sits at the top of the viewing port 10′ turret spanning the aperture of the viewing port 10′ and the other of which 10b′ is mounted to the base of the viewing port spanning the wide basal aperture area and is substantially flush with the underside of the board or somewhat recessed into it.

Suitably each viewing panel 11a, 11b is of glass, acrylic or transparent polycarbonate or similar and the lower panel 11b is preferably held in place to the underside of the board by threaded bolts around its perimeter and suitably is sealed against ingress of water from below by use of clear silicone all around the perimeter and use of a gasket around the perimeter. By use of bolts and other demountable fixing means, the lower panel 11b may be removed for maintenance or replacement if necessary but is less readily demountable than the propellers since it is not intended to be routinely demounted.

The upper panel 11a suitably is mounted within the viewing turret structure on the inner rim just below the upper edge of the cowl 60 and is suitably seated against a gasket but is hinge mounted in place by a hinge that passes through hinge aperture 61 in the turret on each side of the viewing port 10 (see FIG. 13). This hinge mounting of the upper viewing panel 11a enables it to be tilted upwardly for access within the chamber of the viewing turret to facilitate removal of any condensation. If any significant volume of water has entered the turret this may be drained from it by inverting the board while opening the upper viewing panel at its hinge.

Generally, any water landing on the upper viewing panel 11a will run off it and drain from the viewing cowl 60 via drainage flutes 63 around the perimeter of the upper viewing panel at the inner rim 62 of the viewing cowl 60. The incline of the upper end of the cowl from front to rear facilitate drainage.

Additional drainage features in the construction of the board include the camber of the upper board surface as can best be seen in FIG. 10. The top surface of the board 1′ is relatively somewhat higher closer to the median longitudinal axis of the board 1′ and slopes gently toward the lateral edges of the board 1′. The board may also be arranged to slope somewhat toward the rear and is provided with further drainage features at the rear end.

Unlike the first embodiment, the second (and third embodiment) are provided with integrally moulded footwells/footrests 5′ positions. A pair of footwells 65 is provided in the aft section 1b′ one each side of the longitudinal median line of the board and each incorporates a plurality of footrest prominences 66. The multiple prominences/ridges or blocks 66 provide the user with a range of different foot positions to suit the height of the user and to enable the user to achieve optimal comfort and mechanical advantage when lying on the board prone and using the hand propulsion system.

As can best be seen with respect to the third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13, the board aft section 1b′ is suitably provided with an enhanced drainage arrangement at the footwells 65 by provision of drainage flutes/channels 67 running along a lateral edge of each footwell 65 and inclined at a slope that is illustrated as being from front to rear and where at the rear end of each channel 67 there is a drainage hole 68 through the board to allow any water entering the footwells to be discharged through the bottom of the board (see FIGS. 15 and 17).

The third illustrated embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 18, technically differs most notably from the second embodiment by, in addition to the drainage channels 67 in the footwells 65 at the rear of the board, having mounts 69 for a canopy. Whereas the propellers here have three vanes, the craft suitably has at least three vanes on each propeller and preferably four or more.

Canopy 70 is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 as held on a support structure above the prone user on the board. The support structure here comprises a leg structure 71, 72 on each side of the canopy to couple to the corresponding side rail of the board 1′. Each leg structure comprises a pair of legs 71a,b: 72a,b hinged together at mid height to be collapsible in a scissor action for storage, each leg being hingedly mounted to the canopy at its upper end for this purpose. The lower end of each leg has an inwardly angled portion to push-fit into a corresponding socket 69 in the corresponding side/rail 27 of the board.

The provision of a demountable and stowable canopy for use with the board is particular valuable to protect the user from excessive sun exposure. The use of the board of the present invention can be addictive and users may expose themselves to more sun on their back than is wise but the ability to counter this through use of the canopy enables the user to enjoy the board fully while protected from the sun.

Claims

1. A water-borne craft comprising a flotation board for personal use wherein the board has towards its leading edge/nose a portal formed in the board through which a user lying prone on the board may view underwater, the board being further provided with paddle means for propulsion of the board by a user while lying face down/prone on the board.

2. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle means are hand-operated.

3. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle means comprise one or more paddles and the or each paddle is mounted to the board via a respective shaft extending substantially longitudinally of the board and whereby the paddle may slide along the shaft forwardly or rearwardly of the board.

4. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each paddle is arranged to pivotally collapse toward the underside of the board as the paddle is moved forwardly in the water.

5. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each paddle is formed with a scoop-like shape, having at least side walls projecting from opposing side edges of a main planar portion of the paddle.

6. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each paddle has a handle extension extending toward the user from the plane of the board upwardly from the sliding mount that mounts the paddle to the shaft.

7. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is further provided with a foot rest means at its rear end/tail whereby a user may lie on the board with their feet against the foot rest to stabilise themselves when using the hand-operated propulsion means.

8. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 7, wherein the foot rest is adjustably mounted to the board whereby it may be adjusted to suit different heights of user of the board.

9. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hand-operated propulsion means has two independently operable paddle means, one toward its left-hand side and one towards its right-hand side.

10. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is provided with one or more cushioning pad means on its upper surface on which the user may lie for the user's comfort and to raise the user slightly from the level of the board to better operate the paddle means and suitably also facilitating viewing through the viewing port.

11. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board has substantially no fin on its underside/hull.

12. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is assembled of two or more major longitudinal sections that are coupled together in use.

13. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 12, wherein the releasable coupling of the longitudinal sections of the board comprises a pin-in-slot coupling.

14. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the board is adapted to be coupled to one or more lateral board sections or boards.

15. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 12, wherein the coupling together of two or more major longitudinal sections of the board comprises a hinge.

16. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 15, wherein the hinge is formed in protrusions from the underside of the board and where a fore end of an aft section overlaps an aft end of a fore section of the board.

17. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fore end of the aft section and aft end of the fore section are releasably bolted together in use.

18. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hand operated paddle means or propulsion means comprises at least one hand operated rotary propeller.

19. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle means comprise at least one rotary propeller.

20. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one rotary propeller comprises at least one vane spanning an annulus whereby the propeller may serve also as a wheel by means of which the board may be wheeled over the ground.

21. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing port in the board has upper and lower transparent viewing panels wherein the upper viewing panel is mounted via a hinge mounting whereby it may be tilted open by a user of the board.

22. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing port or a viewing panel of the viewing port is demountable for replacement or maintenance.

23. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board has drainage flutes/channels around the viewing port at an upper end of a turret of the viewing port and which drainage flutes/channels are inclined to drain water away from the viewing port.

24. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is provided with a plurality of alternative footrest positions comprising multiple prominences located proximate the aft of the board.

25. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footrest prominences are formed in one or more wells/recesses in the board.

26. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 25, wherein drainage channels are formed in the wells to drain water entering the wells to drainage holes that pass through the board for discharge of water.

27. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 19, wherein the propeller is mounted on a shaft of a crank handle and is demountable from the shaft of the crank handle.

28. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 27, wherein the propeller is mounted to the shaft of the crank handle by a snap-fit arrangement having resilient retention means whereby manipulating the resilient retention means may release the propeller from the shaft of the crank handle.

29. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board has sockets or other engagement means thereon that co-operatively engage in use with legs of a canopy.

30. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 29, further in combination with a canopy.