Kayak with a selectively deployable float

Abstract

A watercraft stabilizing system includes a float selectively movable by a user to a deployed position extending away from a hull of the watercraft. The hull and float may be configured so that in a retracted position the float does not detrimentally affect the handling and/or performance of the craft. In various embodiments, the float, in a retracted position, may be positioned in-line with the hull, or so that it otherwise follows the contours of the hull, specifically with respect to the portions of the float and hull that are below the waterline. The stabilizing system may be particularly suitable for use with kayaks and canoes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to watercraft, and more specifically to a kayak having at least one selectively deployable float to increase stability.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Kayaks, canoes, and other narrow watercraft typically have limited lateral stability and require an experienced user and/or a low center of gravity. Kayaks and canoes are popular for fishing and photography, but the lateral instability of the boats can limit their usefulness for such activities. For example, standing up in a canoe or a kayak can excessively raise the center of gravity and capsize the boat. Various approaches have been used to help stabilize such boats, such as attaching outriggers with floats to the boats, but in many cases the attachments are cumbersome and/or inconvenient.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention provided herein are directed to kayaks and other watercraft which can benefit from stabilizing systems. According to one embodiment of the invention, a kayak includes a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and has a bow, a stern, and a waterline for a particular load, the hull defining a contour. The kayak also includes a float having a retracted position wherein an outer surface of the float constitutes a portion of the hull contour, and the float is selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull. The float is configured such that when the float is in one of the retracted position and the deployed position, at least a portion of the float is lower than the waterline.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a kayak includes a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and has a bow, a stern, and a waterline for a particular load. The kayak also includes a float having a retracted position wherein at least a substantial portion of the float is received within the hull. The float is selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull. The float is configured such that when the float is in one of the retracted position and the deployed position, at least a portion of the float is lower than the waterline.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a kayak includes a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and has a bow, and a stern. The kayak also includes a float having a retracted position wherein the float constitutes the stern. The float is selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a kayak includes a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and has a bow, and a stern. The kayak also includes a float having a retracted position wherein an outer surface of the float constitutes a portion of the hull contour. The kayak further includes means for deploying the float at a distance from the hull.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a kayak includes a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and has a bow, a stern, and a waterline. The kayak also includes first and second arms movably connected to the hull. First and second selectively deployable floats are connected to the first and second arms respectively, with each float having a retracted position and a deployed position. The first and second floats are both positioned lower than the waterline in both the deployed position and the retracted position. In the retracted position, the floats are positioned aft of the cockpit, the floats form at least a portion of the hull, and the floats substantially follow the contours of the hull below the waterline.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a narrow watercraft includes a hull and has a bow, a stern, a waterline for a particular load, a perimeter and a centerline, wherein the perimeter converges toward the centerline toward the stern. The watercraft also includes at least two floats having a retracted position wherein at least a substantial portion of the float is received within the hull. The float is selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull by pivoting an arm attached to the hull and the float. The float is configured such that when the float is in one of the retracted position and the deployed position, at least a portion of the float is lower than the waterline.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain advantages. Not all embodiments of the invention share the same advantages and those that do may not share them under all circumstances.

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kayak having selectively deployable floats, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the kayak illustrated in FIG. 1 with the floats in a deployed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the kayak illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with one float in a deployed position and one float in a retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sea kayak having selectively deployable floats, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an arm and float assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a float deployment and retraction system, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a control element for deploying and retracting a float, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of a float deployment and retraction system;

FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a kayak having selectively deployable floats;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a kayak having selectively deployable floats; and

FIG. 10 is a top view of a canoe having selectively deployable floats, according to a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For ease of understanding, and without limiting the scope of the invention, the stabilized narrow watercraft to which this patent is addressed is disclosed below particularly in connection with a kayak. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention can be embodied in other types of narrow watercraft, such as a canoe, a surfboard or a sailboard. Although narrow watercraft, such as a kayak or a canoe, typically are powered by paddling, the present invention is not limited only to paddle powered watercraft but also may be employed in propeller and other engine powered devices. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, the stabilizing system may be employed while the watercraft is moving (whether being paddled or drifting) or when stationary, such as at anchor.

The stabilizing system includes at least one float movably connected to the hull of a kayak. The user may deploy or retract the float as desired during use of the kayak. For example, when the kayak is stationary, the user may wish to stand up or move around within the kayak, and increased stability may be provided by extending a float away from one or both sides of the hull. At other times, the user may wish to deploy a float for stability while accelerating, and subsequently, after reaching a certain speed, retract the float to reduce drag. These are but two examples of the many contemplated applications of a stabilized watercraft according to the present invention.

The hull and float may be configured so that in a retracted position the float does not detrimentally affect the handling and/or performance of the kayak. In certain embodiments, the retracted float constitutes the absolute stern of the hull. In various embodiments, the float in a retracted position may be positioned in-line with the hull, or so that it otherwise follows the contours of the hull, specifically with respect to the portions of the float and hull that are below the waterline of the craft so as to minimize any adverse effect (such as drag) on the performance of the unit. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the retracted float is positioned substantially within the contours of the hull. The hull may be shaped, or otherwise provided with a recess, to accommodate some or all of the float.

The float may be selectively or automatically moved from the retracted to the deployed position, and/or from the deployed to the retracted position. The float may be manually repositioned by the user, the user may actuate a control system to deploy or retract the float, or a condition may be sensed that automatically moves the float from the deployed to retracted position or the retracted to deployed position.

The stabilizing system may include a float which may be placed in any one of a number of deployed positions. In some embodiments, the position of the float may be infinitely adjustable between a fully retracted position and a fully deployed position. The hull and float may be configured so that in some or all of the available deployed positions, the float does not impede the sweep of a paddler's stroke, thus allowing the stabilizing system to be used during paddling. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, in some embodiments only one deployed position is available.

A movable arm may be used to extend the float away from the hull into a deployed position. In some embodiments, the arm is pivotally attached to the hull such that the arm moves in a substantially horizontal plane, and the float is pivotally attached to the arm to permit the float to change its orientation relative to the arm as the arm pivots. The arm may be a single or multicomponent element, and may be straight, curved, articulated, or have a more complex shape. In certain embodiments, the pivoting arm constitutes the float. Other deployment arrangements in addition to a moveable stern are contemplated.

The stabilizing system may provide each side of the kayak with a float and arm assembly to increase stability in both roll directions. The pair of floats may be operated simultaneously with one control element. Under certain wave conditions or for certain desired hydrodynamics, a user may wish to separately control each arm to position the floats differently from one another, and thus, in some embodiments, a separate control element for each arm may be provided. Additionally, some embodiments may allow for separate control of the angle of the float relative to the arm, for example, control of the float pivot angle independent of the arm pivot angle.

While embodiments described herein show floats extending from opposite sides of the watercraft (port and starboard), the floats may extend from any direction depending on the shape of the watercraft and the location of desired stability.

A bias, such as a spring bias, may be provided in the stabilizing system to aid in the speed and/or ease of deploying or retracting the floats. For example, the arms may be spring-biased to pivot outwardly to a deployed position so that the user can quickly deploy the floats if the kayak starts to roll.

To provide a lightweight and structurally strong kayak, the hull and/or floats may be constructed primarily of a polyurethane foam core with a fiberglass coating. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, other kayak manufacturing techniques may be employed.

As mentioned above, one or more floats may be used to provide a stabilizing system which is resistant to roll of a watercraft. One particular embodiment of a kayak including a selectively deployable float on both sides of a kayak is shown in FIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment, a kayak 100 is formed with a hull 102, a deck 104 and a cockpit 110. The kayak 100 has a bow 106, a stern 108, a centerline 112, and a perimeter 114 which converges toward the centerline 112 in the direction of both the bow 106 and the stern 108. The kayak 100 also has a waterline (not shown) which is the line reached by the water along the perimeter of the hull of the kayak for a particular load. The particular load may include a weight of the user and/or supplies at which the kayak is typically used.

To provide selectively deployable and retractable floats, first and second floats 120a, 120b are movably connected to the hull 102 with first and second arms 122a, 122b respectively. In this embodiment, the connections of the arms 122a, 122b to the hull 102 are pivot attachments 126a, 126b configured such that the arms, and thus the floats, move horizontally from a retracted position (shown in FIG. 1) to a deployed position (shown in FIG. 2). The floats 120a, 120b are connected to the arms 122a, 122b with pivot attachments 130a, 130b which keep the floats oriented generally longitudinally during deployment. In some embodiments, as discussed further below with reference to FIG. 7, the floats may be oriented in directions other than parallel to the centerline 112 during deployment.

For purposes herein, the terms “connect”, “connected”, “connection”, “attach”, “attached” and “attachment” refer to direct connections and attachments, indirect connections and attachments and operative connections and attachments. For example, the floats 120a, 120b shown in FIG. 1 are considered to be connected to the hull 102 even though they are directly connected to the arms 122a, 122b, which are, in turn, directly connected to the hull 102. Also for purposes herein, the terms “pivot”, “pivot connection”, “pivotally connected”, “pivot attachment”, and “pivotally attached” include not only pivot connections and attachments which include a pivot about a single axis, but also pivot connections and attachments which allow rotational movement about a point, such as is the case with a ball and socket arrangement, or rotational movement about more than one axis.

As shown in FIG. 1, an outer surface of the floats 120a, 120b in the retracted position may constitute a portion of the contour of the hull 102. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the floats also form the stern 108 of the hull 102 when in the retracted position. In this manner, the retracted floats 120a, 120b do not detrimentally affect the handling and/or performance of the kayak. In certain embodiments, some of which are described further below, the retracted floats may are spaced from the main body portion of the hull, forming a discontinuous hull, but are still within the contour of the hull.

To constitute a portion of the contour of the hull 102, the outer surface 128 of the floats 120a, 120b substantially follow the perimeter 114 of the hull 102; that is, no abrupt and material changes in the direction of the general hull perimeter 114 exist such that the hydrodynamics of the kayak are not substantially affected. In some embodiments, the outer surface of floats 120a, 120b may constitute a portion of the hull contour by substantially following the contours of the hull below the waterline. Gaps may be present between each of the retracted floats 120a, 120b and the remainder of the hull 102, and with the floats still being considered to constitute a portion of the hull contour.

Deployment of the floats 120a, 120b, as shown in FIG. 2, should increase the lateral stability of the kayak 100. The deployed floats may provide sufficient lateral stability to permit standing in the kayak. Depending upon the conditions encountered, or for other reasons, it may be desirable to vary the location of one or both deployed floats relative to the hull. To permit adjustability to the float position, the arms 122a, 122b may be configured such that the angle of the arms relative to the centerline is infinitely adjustable. In other embodiments, the angle of the arms may be selected from among a plurality of pre-defined angles, and in still other embodiments, the arms 122a, 122b may have only one deployed position. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the maximum angle A of the arms 122a, 122b relative to the centerline is approximately 78°. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, deployment of the arms to an angle of 90° or more may provided.

The arms 122a, 122b may be spring-biased such that when the user initiates deployment, either by actuating a control element or unlocking the arms from the retracted position, or in some other suitable manner, the arms are biased to move toward a deployed position. In some embodiments, this feature may be used to quickly provide lateral stability if the kayak starts to roll. Automatic deployment of the floats may occur in some embodiments by triggering a sensor when the kayak rolls more than a threshold amount. In other embodiments, the arms may be spring-biased toward the retracted position such that the user may start paddling with the floats deployed, and then once the user reaches a certain speed, he or she can easily retract the floats. As should be apparent to one of skill in the art, the arms may be biased by an element other than a spring, whether for deployment or retraction.

In certain embodiments, the stabilizing system may include the option of increasing the distance of the floats from the hull. For example, the arms may include telescoping sections that permit extension of the floats beyond the positions shown in FIG. 2.

The floats 120a, 120b and arms 122a, 122b may be positioned far enough from the cockpit 110 so as to not impede the paddle sweep of a paddler's stroke, thereby permitting the floats to be deployed even while paddling. In some embodiments, however, the arms and/or the floats may be configured such that in some or all of the deployed positions the floats and/or arms do impede paddling.

The floats 120a, 120b are shown in FIGS. 1-3 as being generally elongated, having a forward-leaning front surface, and generally tapering in width toward the rear surface. For example, in some embodiments, the floats may have a vertical front face and/or have a constant width. To form a continuous hull contour, in some embodiments, the front surface of the floats may be shaped to correspond to a transom 132 of the hull 102. The invention is not limited to the particular shape/size of the floats illustrated and described and other configurations are contemplated.

To move the floats 120a, 120b into a deployed position, a control element, such as a pivoting lever or a sliding lever may be operatively connected to the arms 122a, 122b, as discussed further below with reference to FIGS. 6b and 7. In some embodiments, there may be no control element, and instead the floats may be simply put into position by manually pulling on the arms and/or floats. The user may unlock the arms while they are in the retracted position, and then pull on the arms to place the floats in the desired deployed position. Once in the desired position, the arms 122a, 122b may be secured in place by preventing the arm pivot attachment from pivoting. A bolt having a head that can be turned without the use of a tool may be employed at the arm pivot attachment to prevent pivoting. Alternatively, the arm may have a plate near the pivot attachment with one or more holes for inserting a removable pin. Once an arm angle has been selected, the pin may be passed through an appropriate hole in the plate and into a hole in a corresponding plate mounted to the hull. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, these are but two embodiments for securing the arms and other arrangements may used.

Under certain wave conditions or for certain desired hydrodynamics, a user may wish to separately control each arm, and additionally may wish to control the angle of the float relative to the arm independently of the angle of the arm relative to the centerline. As shown in FIG. 3, each arm may have a separate control element, such as a lever, or as mentioned above, a user may manually move the arms by directly pulling on them. The orientation of each float relative to its arm may be dictated by the angle of the arm relative to the kayak centerline, or, in some embodiments, the float may pivot freely (or otherwise move freely) relative to its arm. A separate control element may be provided for adjusting the angle of the float relative to the arm.

While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 includes two selectively deployable floats 120a, 120b positioned aft of the cockpit 110, the kayak 100 may instead (or in addition to) include one or more selectively deployable floats positioned forward of the cockpit, for example constituting a portion of the bow 106. Additionally, the kayak 100 may include only one selectively deployable float instead of two, or, in some embodiments, more than two floats may be included. Each arm may include more than one float. Moreover, while the floats and arms shown and described for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 use pivot connections, other types of connections, for example, sliding connections, may be used.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a sea kayak 100 including two selectively deployable floats 120a, 120b. FIG. 4 illustrates the outer surface 128 of the retracted floats constituting a portion of the hull contour. As shown in FIG. 4, the front face of the floats 120a, 120b may be directly adjacent to the transom when retracted such that there is little or no gap between the floats and the rest of the hull. The kayak and float lengths and other dimensions and shapes may be configured to provide desirable wave profiles when paddling in one or both of the retracted and deployed configurations.

In various embodiments, the floats are in contact with the water in both the retracted and the deployed positions, that is, at least a portion of each float is lower than the waterline of the kayak. In some embodiments, the floats may be stowed out of the water in the retracted position. For example, the arms may pivot about a pivot axis that is slightly pitched forward off of vertical such that deploying the float moves the float downwardly and retracting the float moves the float upwardly. In such an embodiment, the float may be retracted within a recess in the hull such that the float is received substantially within the hull, but does not contact the water. In another embodiment, the float may travel up an inclined plane onto the hull when being retracted such that the float is out water contact when retracted. In heavily rockered kayaks, the stern and/or bow may be out of the water and thus the retracted floats also may be out of the water even if they are received within the lower portion of the hull.

In some embodiments, the floats may be held slightly higher than the waterline when deployed so as to reduce hydrodynamic drag. In these embodiments, if the kayak rolls slightly to either side, one of the floats contacts the water and prevents further rolling.

While the kayaks shown and described herein are directed to one-person kayaks, the disclosed float arrangements may be used with kayaks designed for two or more people. In embodiments including cockpits for two or more people, the arm and float arrangements may be positioned between two cockpits. The kayaks illustrated herein include sit-on-top cockpits, but a kayak with a sit-in cockpits. i.e., a cockpit internal to the hull, may be used as well.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be used with symmetrical bow-to-stern hulls (i.e., the hull's widest portion is at the midpoint between the bow and the stern), fish form hulls (i.e., the hull's widest portion if forward of the midpoint), and swede form hulls (i.e., the widest portion of the kayak is aft of the midpoint). A rudder system may be employed with embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the stern of the hull may extend between or past the retracted floats, and a rudder may be mounted to this extension. Various manufacturing techniques may be used to construct the kayak. For example, the kayak may be constructed primarily of a polyurethane foam core with a fiberglass coating. In some embodiments, the kayak may be a composite kayak including one or more of fiberglass, Kevlar® or carbon. In other embodiments, the kayak may be formed of polyethylene and manufactured by roto-molding or by sandwiching a foam core with layers of polyethylene. A thermoformed kayak also may be used with stabilization systems disclosed herein, as may be wooden and folding kayaks. The floats, arms and/or hull may be constructed of similar materials and with similar manufacturing techniques, or they may be formed using different materials and different processes. The floats may be hollow or formed of a buoyant material. In a representative embodiment, the overall length of the kayak with the floats in the retracted position is approximately 17 feet, and the length of the hull when the floats are deployed is approximately 15 feet.

An embodiment of a hull pivot attachment 126b and a float pivot attachment 130b is shown in FIG. 5, according to one embodiment. The pivot connections include two holes 138, 140 in the arm 122b, a hull pin 144 and a float pin 146. Washers 148, 150 may be used to reduce friction and wear at the pivot connections. As discussed above, the float 120b may pivot freely relative to the arm and the arm may pivot freely relative to the hull in some embodiments. As discussed above, in some embodiments, movement of the arm 122b may be accomplished by simply pulling on the arm. The arm 122b may be secured in either or both of the retracted and deployed positions with a latch, clip, clamp, pin or any other suitable securing element.

An inner-facing surface 142 of the float may be substantially vertical such that it can be placed adjacent to the inner-facing surface of the other float when retracted, thereby forming a portion of the hull below the waterline which has little or no gap between the two floats. Of course the floats may include inner-facing surfaces disposed at an angle relative to vertical. In some embodiments, the floats may not be laterally adjacent to one another when retracted. In still other embodiments, two retracted floats may be vertically stacked one on the other and constitute a portion of the hull contour.

One particular embodiment of a cable system 180 for deploying and retracting the floats is illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b. The cable system 180 includes a hull pulley 182, a float pulley 184, a cable 186 in loop form, and a bar linkage 190 connected to the hull 102 and the float 120a. The cable 196 travels from a control handle 194, engages the hull pulley 182, reverses direction around the float pulley 184, reverses direction around the hull pulley 182, reverses direction one more time around the float pulley 184, and then once again engages hull pulley 182 before looping back to the control handle. As shown with arm 122b, the cable assembly may be provided with a cover 198 on the arm 122b.

In the cockpit, the cable wraps around a pulley 196 which is rotatable with a control handle 194. When the control handle is pushed forwardly (toward the bow), the cable pulls the float 120b into the deployed position. When the control handle is pushed rearwardly (toward the stern), the cable pulls the float 120b into the retracted position. The control handle 194 may be locked in place with a flip lever. In some embodiments, the retraction and/or deployment of the floats may be powered, for example by an electric motor a battery, and the control element may be an electronic control element.

A linkage rod system 200 is illustrated in FIG. 7 as another embodiment of a system for deploying and retracting the floats. In this embodiment, a linkage rod 202 is used to transmit force from a control element to the arm 122a. The control element may be a slide lever 204 or a pivot lever, or any other suitable element for moving the linkage rod 202. The linkage rod 202 is connected to the arm 122a at a linkage rod pivot point 208, and moving the linkage rod 202 fore and aft respectively deploys and retracts the float 120a.

One control element, such as slide lever 204, may be provided for each float, or the two arms 122a, 122b may be connected together with an additional linkage rod or other element such that both floats 120a, 120b are deployable and retractable with a single control element.

The linkage bar 190 is pivotally connected to the hull 102 at a linkage bar hull pivot connection 210, and also is pivotally connected to the float 120a at a linkage bar float pivot connection 212. The linkage bar 190, the linkage bar pivot connections 210, 212, the hull pivot connection 126a, and the float pivot connection 130a may be configured in such a manner that the float 120a is parallel to the centerline of the kayak when the float is deployed at its largest forward angle. At other deployed angles, the float may be “toed-in”, that is, pointed inwardly toward the kayak centerline, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 7. This toed-in configuration may provide improved hydrodynamic characteristics.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a kayak in which the floats 120a, 120b constitute a portion of the hull contour and form a stern of the hull while not forming a continuous hull. A perimeter 134 of the retracted floats 120a, 120b generally follows the perimeter 114 of the rest of the hull 102, but a gap 216 is present. In some embodiments, a gap may be present along one surface of the hull (for example, the bottom of the hull or the deck of the hull) but not along other surfaces.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a kayak in which the retracted floats 120a, 120b are received within the stern 108 of the hull 102, but do not form the transom of the hull. Instead, a portion 218 of the hull sandwiched between the retracted floats 102a, 102b forms the transom 132. The sandwiched portion 218 of the hull may be used as a mounting area for a rudder system in some embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a canoe 300 employing selectively deployable floats. Unlike kayaks, canoes typically do not have decks, although the floats 120a, 120b may or may not include decks (not shown) to enclose the floats.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

1. A kayak, comprising:

a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and having a centerline, a bow, a stern, and a waterline for a particular load, the hull defining a contour; and

a first float having a retracted position wherein an outer surface of the float constitutes a portion of the hull contour, the float being selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull, where the float has a lengthwise orientation;

the float being configured such that when the float is in one of the retracted position and the deployed position, at least a portion of the float is lower than the waterline;

wherein, in the deployed position, the lengthwise orientation of the float is substantially aligned with the kayak centerline.

2. A kayak as in claim 1, further comprising a second float that has an outer surface which constitutes a portion of the hull contour when in a retracted position and is selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull, wherein the second float has a lengthwise orientation, the first and second floats are configured such that when the floats are in one of the retracted position and the deployed position, at least a portion of each float is lower than the waterline.

3. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein the first float is configured such that when the float is in the deployed position, at least a portion of the float is lower than the waterline.

4. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein the kayak and the first float are configured such that when the float is in the retracted position, at least a portion of the float is lower than the waterline.

5. A kayak as in claim 1, further comprising an arm pivotally connected to the hull, wherein the first float is connected to the arm.

6. A kayak as in claim 5, wherein the first float is pivotally connected to the arm.

7. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein when the first float is in the retracted position, the float constitutes the absolute stern.

8. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein when the first float is in the retracted position, the float is received substantially within a recess in the hull.

9. A kayak as in claim 1, further comprising a second float that has an outer surface which constitutes a portion of the hull contour and is selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull, wherein, in the retracted position, the first and second floats are positioned adjacent to one another.

10. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein when the first float is in the deployed position, the float is outside a predetermined paddle stroke of a paddler sitting in the cockpit.

11. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein when the first float is in the retracted position, the float is aft of the cockpit.

12. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein when the first float is in the retracted position, the float is received within the stern.

13. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein the first float has a plurality of deployed positions.

14. A kayak as in claim 1, further comprising a control element for deploying the first float.

15. (canceled)

16. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein, in the retracted position, a front surface of the first float is positioned immediately adjacent to a transom of the hull.

17. A kayak, comprising:

a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and having a bow, a stern, and a waterline for a particular load; and

a first float movably connected to the hull and having a retracted position wherein at least a substantial portion of the float is received within the hull, the first float being selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull;

the first float being configured such that when the first float is in one of the retracted position and the deployed position, at least a portion of the first float is lower than the waterline

wherein in the deployed position, the first float is positioned at a distance from the hull that is greater than a distance between the first float and the hull when the first float is in the retracted position.

18-32. (canceled)

33. A kayak, comprising:

a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and having a bow and a stern; and

a float having a retracted position wherein the float constitutes the stern, the float being selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull

wherein the float is configured to be oriented generally longitudinally relative to the hull during movement of the float to the deployed position.

34-46. (canceled)

47. A kayak comprising:

a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and having a centerline, bow, and a stern; and

a float having a lengthwise orientation and having a retracted position wherein an outer surface of the float constitutes a portion of the hull contour; and

means for deploying the float at a distance from the hull, wherein when deployed at a distance from the hull, the lengthwise orientation of the float is substantially aligned with the kayak centerline.

48. A kayak as in claim 47, wherein the means for deploying the float comprises an arm pivotally attached to the hull, and the float is pivotally attached to the arm.

49. A kayak, comprising:

a hull, a deck and a cockpit, and having a bow, a stern, and a waterline for a particular load;

first and second arms movably connected to the hull;

first and second selectively deployable floats connected to the first and second arms respectively, and movable relative to the first and second arms respectively, each float having a retracted position and a deployed position;

wherein the first and second floats are both positioned lower than the waterline in both the deployed position and the retracted position; and

in the retracted position, the floats are positioned aft of the cockpit, the floats form at least a portion of the hull, and the floats substantially follow the contours of the hull below the waterline.

50. A kayak as in claim 49, wherein, in the retracted position, the first and second floats form a continuous extension of the length of the hull at the stern.

51. A kayak as in claim 49, wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected to the hull, and the first and second selectively deployable floats are pivotally connected to the first and second arms respectively.

52. A kayak as in claim 51, wherein each of the first and second deployable floats has a lengthwise orientation, the kayak has a centerline, and in the deployed position, the lengthwise orientation of each of the first and second floats is substantially aligned with the kayak centerline.

53. kayak as in claim 49, wherein, in the deployed position, each of the first and second floats is oriented such that a front surface of each float is angled toward a centerline of the kayak.

54. A kayak as in claim 1, wherein the float comprises an elongated float that is substantially parallel to the kayak centerline in the deployed position.

55. A kayak as in claim 17, wherein the float is movably connected to the hull with an arm.

56. A kayak as in claim 17, further comprising:

a second float movably connected to the hull and having a retracted position wherein at least a substantial portion of the float is received within the hull, the second float being selectively movable by a user into a deployed position extending away from the hull;

the second float being configured such that when the second float is in one of the retracted position and the deployed position, at least a portion of the second float is lower than the waterline;

wherein in the deployed position, the second float is positioned at a distance from the hull that is greater than a distance between the second float and the hull when the second float is in the retracted position.

57. A kayak as in claim 56, wherein the kayak has a centerline and each of the first and second floats has a lengthwise orientation, and in the deployed position, the lengthwise orientation of each of the first and second floats is substantially aligned with the kayak centerline.

58. A kayak as in claim 17, wherein in the deployed position, a closest point of the first float to the hull is positioned at a distance from the hull that is greater than a distance between the closest point of first float to the hull when the first float is in the retracted position.

59. A kayak as in claim 17, wherein the first float is configured such that when the first float is in the retracted position, at least a portion of the float is lower than the waterline.

60. A kayak as in claim 33, further comprising an arm pivotally connected to the hull, wherein the float is pivotally connected to the arm.

61. A kayak as in claim 60, wherein the orientation of the float relative to the arm is dictated by the angle of the arm relative to the kayak.