SPLIT-CONSTRUCTION WATERCRAFT

Abstract

A foot-steered, split-construction watercraft adjustable to accommodate users of different heights and compactable into a transport configuration and having a reversible bow with different leading hull geometries for accommodating different water conditions.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to watercrafts and, in particular, it is concerned with improving responsiveness, increasing versatility and compactness.

It is known that small watercrafts like kayaks and canoes used for a wide variety of aquatic activities like paddling on exploratory ventures on lakes, surfing in the ocean, and fishing in rivers. Each activity has its unique set of design considerations that define the size, contour, weight, and a wide variety of other parameters. In spite of the multiple designs currently available, there exist several shortcomings common to all existing designs. Traditionally, a canoe and kayak is propelled and navigated by a user paddling with a hand held oar or oars. The dull function of the paddling reduces the effectiveness of both activities because the user paddling to propel the craft forward is less capable of using the paddles to navigate and vice versa, as the user is navigating the craft by way of the paddle he is less capable of paddling to propelling the craft forward. A second shortcoming of current watercrafts is their fixed leading hull geometry effective for negotiating a particular water conditions, but less effective at negotiating a different water condition. The prospect of acquiring a number of kayaks, each suited for a different water condition, is prohibitively expensive for the average enthusiast. A third shortcoming of current watercrafts relates to their transportation. Transporting canoes and kayaks can turn into a clumsy and awkward ordeal in light of their extended, bulky size. Proper transportation usually requires the appropriate vehicle equipped with transport equipment like a trailer or roof mounted carriage rack and appropriate gear needed to secure the watercraft in place during transport thereby incurring inconvenience and financial expenses. A fourth issue is an ergonomic matter in that canoes and kayaks have a non-adjustable length. Currently there exists a limited selection of kayak sizes for users of widely differing physical statures. Kayak responsiveness is, to a large degree, a function of the proportion of user size to kayak size. Therefore a user of small physical stature will encounter a relatively non-responsive craft when using one designed for individuals of larger stature.

There is therefore a need for a watercraft navigated in a manner that does not detract from paddling, adaptable to different water conditions and different users, and readily compacted to facilitate transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a split-construction watercraft.

There is provided according to the teachings of the present invention a watercraft comprising: (a) a stern portion including a seat, (b) a bow portion including a footrest, the bow portion being disposed apart from the stern portion so as to form a space between the stern portion and the bow portion, (c) at least one connecting element joining the stern portion to the bow portion, the connecting element having a pivotal connection arrangement joining the connecting element to the bow portion so as to enable a user to steer the watercraft by swiveling the bow portion with his feet disposed in the footrest of the bow portion while the user is sitting in the seat of the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the at least one connecting element is implemented as a rod.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the pivotal connection arrangement includes a self-aligning provision configured to maintain the bow portion in line with the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the pivotal connection arrangement is configured to provide reversibility of the bow portion so as to enable selection of different leading hull geometries for negotiating different water conditions.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the pivotal connection arrangement includes a self-aligning provision configured to maintain the bow portion in line with the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a stern-to-bow spacing mechanism configured to allow adjustment of the space between the bow portion and the stern portion to accommodate different leg lengths of different users.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern-to-bow spacing mechanism includes a plurality of connection configurations disposed in a plurality of relative locations providing selective connection of the connecting element and the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern-to-bow spacing mechanism is implemented as a telescopic connecting element including at least one locking, sliding-section configured to maintain the sliding section in an extended position when extended and to maintain the sliding section in a non-extended position when not extended.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern portion having a top portion configured to be opened to provide access to a storage cavity disposed within the stern portion capable of accommodating the bow portion and the connecting element thereby providing a compact transportation configuration.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the connecting element is pivotally connected to the stern portion so as to enable the placement of the bow portion and the connecting element within a storage cavity of the stern portion without disassembling the watercraft.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention a water craft comprising: (a) a stern portion including a seat, (b) a bow portion including a footrest, the bow portion being disposed apart from the stern portion so as to form a space between the stern portion and the bow portion, (c) at least one connecting rod joining the stern portion to the bow portion so as to enable a user to sit in the seat of the stern portion and place his in the footrest of the bow portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a stern-to-bow spacing mechanism configured to allow adjustment of the space between the bow portion and the stern portion to accommodate different leg lengths of different users.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern-to-bow spacing mechanism includes a plurality of connection configurations disposed in a plurality of relative locations providing selective connection of the connecting element and the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern-to-bow spacing mechanism is implemented as a telescopic connecting element including at least one locking, sliding-section configured to maintain the sliding section in an extended position when extended and to maintain the sliding section in a non-extended position when not extended.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern portion having a top portion configured to be opened to provide access to a storage cavity disposed within the stern portion capable of accommodating the bow portion and the connecting element thereby providing a compact transportation configuration.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the connecting element includes a pivotal connection to the stern portion so as to enable the placement the bow portion and the connecting element within a storage cavity of the stern portion without disassembling the watercraft.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a water craft comprising: (a) a stern portion including a seat, (b) a bow portion including a footrest, the bow portion being disposed apart from the stern portion so as to form a space between the stern portion and the bow portion, (c) at least one connecting element joining the stern portion to the bow portion, the connecting element being configured to provide reversibility of the bow portion so as to enable selection of different leading hull geometries for negotiating different water conditions.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the connecting element includes a pivotal connection arrangement configured to enable a user to steer the watercraft by swiveling the bow portion with his feet disposed in the footrest of the bow portion while the user is sitting in the seat of the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the pivotal connection arrangement includes a self-aligning provision configured to maintain the bow portion in line with the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a stern-to-bow spacing mechanism configured to allow adjustment of the space between the bow portion and the stern portion to accommodate different leg lengths of different users.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern-to-bow spacing mechanism includes a plurality of connection configurations disposed in a plurality of relative locations providing selective connection of the connecting element and the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern-to-bow spacing mechanism is implemented as a telescopic connecting element including at least one locking, sliding-section configured to maintain the sliding section in an extended position when extended and to maintain the sliding section in a non-extended position when not extended.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern portion having a top portion configured to be opened to provide access to a storage cavity disposed within the stern portion capable of accommodating the bow portion and the connecting element thereby providing a compact transportation configuration.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the connecting element is pivotally connected to the stern portion so as to enable the placement of the bow portion and the connecting element within a storage cavity of the stern portion without disassembling the watercraft.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the current invention a watercraft comprising: (a) a stern portion including a seat, the stern portion having a top portion configured to be opened to provide access to a storage cavity capable of accommodating the bow portion and the connecting element, (b) a bow portion including a footrest, the bow portion being disposed apart from the stern portion so as to form a space between the stern portion and the bow portion, (c) at least one connecting element joining the stern portion to the bow portion, the connecting element being pivotally connected to the stern portion so as to enable the placement of the bow portion and the connecting element within the storage cavity of the stern portion without disassembling the watercraft thereby providing a compact transportation configuration.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the connecting element having a pivotal connection arrangement joining the connecting element to the bow portion as to enable a user to steer the watercraft by swiveling the bow portion with his feet disposed in the footrest of the bow portion while the user is sitting in the seat of the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the pivotal connection arrangement includes a self-aligning provision configured to maintain the bow portion in line with the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the pivotal connection arrangement is configured to provide reversibility of the bow portion so as to enable selection of different leading hull geometries for negotiating different water conditions.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the pivotal connection arrangement includes a self-aligning provision configured to maintain the bow portion in line with the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a stern-to-bow spacing mechanism configured to allow adjustment of the space between the bow portion and the stern portion to accommodate different leg lengths of different users.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern-to-bow spacing mechanism includes a plurality of connection configurations disposed in a plurality of relative locations providing selective connection of the connecting element and the stern portion.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the stern-to-bow spacing mechanism is implemented as a telescopic connecting element including at least one locking, sliding-section configured to maintain the sliding section in an extended position when extended and to maintain the sliding section in a non-extended position when not extended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a split construction watercraft;

FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2C are schematic side, front, and rear views of the split-construction watercraft respectively;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic top views of the split-construction watercraft depicting the bow swivel feature;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, partial-exploded, cross-sectional view of a bow pivot arrangement of the split-construction watercraft;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5C are a schematic top view of a centered biasing arrangement, an isometric view of a steering ring, a schematic view of a biasing flange seat, and a schematic top view of am off-centered biasing arrangement respectively, of the split-construction watercraft;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are a partial isometric and schematic front and side views, respectively, of a variant bow form of the split-construction watercraft;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a schematic front view of biasing arrangement and a schematic close up view of a biasing spring arrangement for a variant bow form of a split-construction watercraft;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic top views of a split-construction watercraft depicting the bow reversibility;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are a schematic partially exploded cross-sectional view, a schematic assembled front view, and a schematic front view of biasing flange seat respectively, related to the pivot arrangement enabling bow reversibility;

FIG. 10 is a schematic transparent side views of the split-construction watercraft depicting the stern-to-bow space adjustment feature;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are schematic views of a connecting rod and side, top, and end views of a stern-to-rod connection respectively;

FIGS. 12A, 1213, and 12C, are a schematic bottom view of a connecting rod and schematic side view of a gasket and a schematic cross sectional view of a telescopic connecting rod respectively;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are a schematic transparent side view of the split-construction watercraft folded into a transport configuration and an isometric side view of an open stern and a schematic view of a rod-to-stern connection respectively;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are isometric front and side views of a stern hinge in opened and closed positions respectfully;

FIG. 15 is a schematic transparent top view depicting a split-construction watercraft disassembled and packed in the stern;

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D are a schematic expanded side view of the stern and a schematic transparent side view of a stern top and a schematic top and bottom view of the stern top respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a foot-steered, split-construction watercraft configurable for differing water conditions and compactable for transport The principles and operation of the watercraft according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the following definitions, the drawings and the accompanying description. The term “bow” in the context of this document refers to the front portion of the watercraft beginning at the pivotal interface with the connecting rod and continues onwards through the front extremity of the watercraft.

It should be noted that the current invention includes a number of primary features that may be implemented independently or in conjunction with the other features. The primary features are:

• • A split-construction in which the bow is spaced apart from the stern by a rod.
  • An adjustable craft length to accommodate users of different physical statures.
  • A pivotal bow enabling a user to sit in the stern and navigate the watercraft by swiveling the bow with his feet.
  • A reversible bow enabling the placement of leading hull geometry most suited for given water conditions in the front of the watercraft.
  • A compactability enabling the placement of the bow and connecting rod in the stern to facilitate transport in a convenient compact configuration.

In an exemplary implementation all of the above features are implemented, but it should be noted that any single feature or any combination of the above-mentioned features are within the scope of the current invention.

Furthermore it should be noted that the current invention may be implemented in a variety of forms including a kayak, a canoe, a surfing apparatus, a water ski device and any other aquatic flotation device. By way of example the watercraft is illustrated throughout this document as a kayak.

Turning now to the figures, the split-construction watercraft includes three primary components, a stern portion 1, a bow portion 2, and a connecting rod 3. The stern portion 1 includes a paddler's seat 6, a top portion 4 and a stern bottom 5. The bow portion includes footrests 11 and 12, a hull having sharp geometry at one end 8 and a rounded geometry at the opposite end 9, and a bow-to-rod connector 7 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 2C In a first, exemplary embodiment the connecting rod 3 is pivotally connected to bow 2 and attached to stern 1 thereby holding bow 2 and stern 1 at a fixed distance apart. Connecting rod 3 may have any cross-sectional shape, including but not limited to round, square, and other polygonal cross-sections, and typically has a cross-sectional area of at least one, and more preferably two, orders of magnitude less than the cross-sectional area of the stern portion. A user sits on the paddler's seat 6 and steers the watercraft by swiveling bow 2 with his feet, each of which is placed on footrests 11 and 12 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. This configuration advantageously enables a user to continue paddling to propel the watercraft forward while navigating with his legs.

The pivot arrangement providing such functionality includes a bow-to-rod connector 7, connecting rod 3; bow-to-rod connector 7 includes upper and lower connector disks 47 and 48 respectively, and a locking mechanism 41, whereas the connecting rod 3 includes a steering ring 37 having a biasing flange 37a and fitting holes 42 and 43 as shown in FIG. 4. The bow-to-rod connector 7 passes through an opening (not designated) in the top of the bow surface where it is held in place by lower connector disk 48 rigidly attached to the lower end of the bow-to-rod connector 7 and upper disk connector 47 attached to bow-to-rod connector 7 slightly above the bow surface so as to effectively sandwich the bow surface thereby stabilizing bow-to-rod connector 7 while enabling rotation. Connecting rod 3 slides over bow-to-rod connector 7 until fitting holes 42 and 43 are aligned and engaged by spring loaded locking mechanism 41 thereby locking connecting rod 3 securely in place. The point of bow 2 rotation around bow-to-rod connector 7 occurs between two connection disks 47 and 48. It should be noted that any arrangement providing bow rotation is included within the scope of the current invention.

The current invention includes a biasing arrangement to restore bow 2 to a position in alignment with the length of stern 1 thereby avoiding a situation in which bow 2 is caught by a water current and uncontrollably swiveled. This feature is provided by the biasing arrangement appearing in FIGS. 5A through 5D. The biasing arrangement includes steering ring 37 connected to connecting rod 3, bow-to-rod connector 7, biasing flange 37a, and biasing flange seat 37b. Biasing spring 44 is fixedly attached between biasing flange seat 37b and biasing wall 44a and biasing spring 45 is similarly attached to the opposing face of biasing flange seat 37b and biasing wall 45a as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5D. By way of example, during operation when biasing flange 37a is disposed in biasing flange seat 37b, counterclockwise rotation of bow 2, biasing spring 45 is compressed between biasing wall 45a and biasing flange seat 37b and second biasing spring 44 is extended simultaneously between biasing flange seat 37b biasing wall 44a as shown in FIGS. 5D. Compressed biasing spring 45 recoils and pushes against biasing wall 45a and simultaneously extended biasing spring 44 recoils pulls on bow biasing wall 44a so that the collective pushing and pulling forces restore bow 2 to its centered position. It should be noted that any arrangement providing a self-centering biasing of the bow is included within the scope of the current invention.

FIGS. 6A-7B depict a variant form of bow 2 in which a substantially vertical bow-extension 7a connects rigidly to the main body of bow 2 and pivotally connects to connecting rod 3 at a point removed from the main body of bow 2. Footrests 23 and 24 are disposed on bow-extension 7a just below pivot interface 22. Steering is executed in a manner analogous to the manner described above. The above-described biasing is accomplished in this variant form by means of torsion spring 49 attached to connecting rod 3 and bow extension element 7a as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

An additional exemplary feature of the current invention is a reversible bow 2 with a hull having a rounded end geometry 9 and sharp end geometry 8 so that the appropriate end is placed into a leading position for negotiating current water conditions as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. By way of example, a rounded hull 9 is more effective at negotiating “white-water” whereas as a sharp hull 8 is more effective at negotiating cairn water. It should be noted that any hull geometry is within the scope of the current invention and the rounded and sharp hull geometries are by way of example only. This reversibility is provided by detachable connecting rod 3, bow-to-rod-connector 7, biasing flange 37a, biasing flange seat 37b, spring-loaded locking mechanism 41, and fitting holes 42 and 43. Bow-to-rod connector 3 is pivotally attached to bow 2 so that biasing flange 37a is seated in biasing flange 37b and is locked to connecting rod 3 by means of the spring loaded locking mechanism 41 engaging fixing holes 42 and 43. Bow 2 is reversed by disengaging locking mechanism 41 from fitting holes 42 and 43 and sliding connecting rod 3 off bow-to-rod connector 7 and biasing flange 37a out of biasing flange seat 37b sufficiently to reverse bow 2 and returning connecting rod 3 over bow-to-rod connector 7 so that a second biasing flange (not shown) is disposed in biasing flange seat 37b opposite and re-engaging fixing holes 42 and 43. It should be noted that any mechanism providing such reversibility is also included with the scope of the current invention as shown in FIGS. 9A through 9C.

The current invention has a feature for adjusting the distance between stern 1 and bow 2 to accommodate different leg lengths of different users by adjusting the effective length of connecting rod 3. This functionality is accomplished by attaching connecting rod 3 at a selected point with connection bracket 26 thereby disposing a portion of connecting rod inside stern 1 thereby defining the length of connecting rod 3 bridging stern 1 and bow 2 as shown in FIG. 10. FIGS. 11A-11D depict a series of connection holes 14 disposed along a length of connecting rod 3 near stern 1, sleeve 35, locking bolt 21, bolt hole 25, oblong bolt hole 26, and brace 40. Connecting bracket 26 is rigidly attached to stern floor by way of brace 40 that pivotally supports sleeve 35 into which slides connecting rod 3 until the desired connection hole 14 is aligned with either bolt hole 25 or oblong bolt lock hole 26 depending on the desired form of bow stabilization as will be discussed. Locking bolt 21 is then screwed into the chosen connection hole 14 thereby defining the effective length of connecting rod 3 connecting stern 1 to bow 2. This feature includes an optional feature for partially stabilizing bow 2 so that it rocks slightly towards each side of the watercraft. Oblong locking hole 36 is disposed so locking bolt 21 abuts against boundaries of the oblong bolt hole 26 thereby preventing connecting rod 3 from moving forwards and backwards but provides a slight freedom of motion laterally in both directions. This slight lateral freedom of motion allows connecting rod 3 and attached bow 2 to rock slightly laterally. This provision advantageously stabilizes and absorbs shocks to a degree. Screwing the locking bolt 21 through bolt hole 25 where there is no freedom of motion for connecting bolt 21 to move deactivates this feature.

FIGS. 12A and 12B depicts connecting rod 3 and its waterproof gasket 16 that seals the opening in stern 1 through which passes connecting rod 3 as shown in FIG. 10.

A second preferred embodiment of the stern-to-bow distance-adjustment feature is implemented by way of a telescopic connecting rod 3a including at least one nested extendable section 17 having engagement elements 17a for locking into engagement slots 18 disposed in supporting section 3a. The engagement slots 18 and engagement elements 17a are spaced so as to provide support in fully extended, partially extended and non-extended configurations as shown in FIG. 12C.

It should be noted that reversed stern-to-rod connection configurations in which a series of engagement elements are disposed on connecting rod 3 and a single engagement hole is disposed on connection bracket 26 is also within the scope of the current invention.

Another exemplary feature of the current invention provides a compact transport configuration.

This functionality is accomplished, in a preferred embodiment, by way of connection bracket 26, stern bottom 5, stern top 4, and stern hinges 28 as shown in FIGS. 13B-13C and 14A-14D. Stern bottom 5 possesses a storage cavity 31 capable of accommodating connecting rod 3 and bow 2. Stern top 4 is hinged to stern bottom 5 and secured close with securing nuts and bolts (not shown). The relevant features of connection bracket 26 include brace 40 rigidly fastened to stern bottom 5 and sleeve 35 pivotally mounted to brace 40 by way of bracket pins 38. Connecting rod 3 is secured in sleeve 35 and therefore may be rotated with sleeve 35 on bracket pins 38. As may be seen in FIGS. 14A through 14B, each of the two stern hinges 28 are spring loaded with a single biasing torsion spring 29 configured to maintain stern top 4 pressed against the upper edge of stern bottom 5. Each of biasing springs 29 is pivotally attached to an upper and lower a hinge plate 30 which in turn are rigidly attached to stern bottom 5 and stern top 4 respectively.

Upon transport a user releases the securing bolts and opens stern top 4, rotates connecting rod 3 and attached bow 2 into storage cavity 31, closes and secures stern top 4 thereby compacting the watercraft into a convenient and manageable transport configuration without disassembling the watercraft as shown in FIG. 13A.

A second embodiment of the above described transport configuration is implemented by disassembling stern 2 from connecting rod 3 and removing connecting rod 3 from stern 1 and placing them into storage cavity 31 in the stern bottom 5 as shown in FIG. 15. This functionality employs a removable stern top 4 and a stern-to-rod connector 13. Stern-to-rod connector 13 is disposed underneath stern top 4 so that connecting rod extends through an opening in stern top 4. Removable stern top 4 rests on top of a waterproof gasket 10 sealing around the edge in which stern top 4 and stern bottom 5 meet.

The watercraft body is made of either, fiberglass, urethane, or any other lightweight, durable semi-flexible materials. Connecting rod 3 is preferably made from aluminum, polymer materials, composite materials, or any lightweight, substantially stiff, durable material.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1-32. (canceled)

33. A watercraft comprising:

(a) a stern portion including a seat,

(b) a bow portion including a footrest, said bow portion being disposed apart from said stern portion so as to form a space between said stern portion and said bow portion,

(c) at least one connecting element joining said stern portion to said bow portion, said connecting element having a pivotal connection arrangement joining said connecting element to said bow portion so as to enable a user to steer the watercraft by swiveling said bow portion with his feet disposed on said footrest while the user is sitting in said seat of said stern portion.

34. The watercraft of claim 33 wherein said at least one connecting element is implemented as a rod.

35. The watercraft of claim 33 wherein said pivotal connection arrangement includes a biasing arrangement configured to maintain said bow portion in line with said stern portion.

36. The watercraft of claim 33 wherein said pivotal connection arrangement includes a release mechanism configured to provide reversibility of said bow portion having different leading hull geometries for negotiating different water conditions.

37. The watercraft of claim 33 wherein said connecting element includes a series of engagement configurations configured for selective engagement defining a distance between said bow portion and said stern portion.

38. The watercraft of claim 37 wherein said connecting element includes a telescopic element having at least two connecting segments.

39. The watercraft of claim 33, wherein said at least one connecting element includes at least one pivotal connection configured so as to enable folding of said watercraft into a compact transport configuration.

40. The watercraft of claim 33, wherein said stern portion includes a storage cavity into which at least part of said bow portion is disposed when the watercraft is in a compact transport configuration.

41. A water craft comprising:

(a) a stern portion including a seat;

(b) a bow portion including a footrest, said bow portion being disposed apart from said stern portion so as to form a space between said stern portion and said bow portion; and

(c) at least one connecting element joining said stern portion to said bow portion, said connecting element including a series of engagement configurations configured for selective engagement defining a length of the space between said bow portion and said stern portion.

42. The watercraft of claim 41 wherein connecting element includes a telescopic element having at least two segments.

43. The watercraft of claim 41, wherein said at least one connecting element includes at least one pivotal connection configured so as to enable folding of said watercraft into a compact transport configuration.

44. The watercraft of claim 41, wherein said stern portion includes a storage cavity into which at least part of said bow portion is disposed when the watercraft is in a compact transport configuration.

45. A water craft comprising:

(a) a stern portion including a seat;

(b) a bow portion including a footrest, said bow portion being disposed apart from said stern portion so as to form a space between said stern portion and said bow portion; and

(c) at least one connecting element joining said stern portion to said bow portion, said connecting element having a release mechanism configured to release said bow portion from said connecting element to enable reversibility of said bow portion having a plurality of leading hull geometries for negotiating different water conditions.

46. The watercraft of claim 45, wherein said stern portion includes a storage cavity into which at least part of said bow portion is disposed when the watercraft is in a compact transport configuration.

47. The watercraft of claim 45 wherein said connecting element includes a pivotal connection arrangement configured to allow rotation of said bow portion so that a user sitting in said stern portion is able to steer the watercraft by swiveling said bow section with his feet disposed in said footrest.

48. The watercraft of claim 47 wherein said pivotal connection arrangement includes a biasing arrangement configured to maintain said bow portion in line with said stern portion.

49. The watercraft of claim 45 wherein said connecting element includes a series of engagement configurations configured for selective engagement defining a distance between said bow portion and said stern portion.

50. The watercraft of claim 49 wherein said connecting element includes a telescopic element having at least two connecting segments.

51. The watercraft of claim 45, wherein said at least one connecting element includes at least one pivotal connection configured so as to enable folding of said watercraft into a compact transport configuration.

52. The watercraft of claim 51, wherein said stern portion includes a storage cavity into which at least part of said bow portion is disposed when the watercraft is in a compact transport configuration.

53. A watercraft comprising:

(a) a stern portion;

(b) a bow portion, said bow portion being disposed apart from said stern portion so as to form a space between said stern portion and said bow portion,

(c) at least one connecting element joining said stern portion to said bow portion, said connecting element having at least one pivotal connection configured so as to enable folding of said watercraft into a compact transport configuration.

54. The watercraft of claim 53, wherein said stern portion includes a storage cavity into which at least part of said bow portion is disposed when the water craft is in a compact transport configuration.

55. The watercraft of claim 53 wherein said bow portion being rotatably connected to said connecting element by way of a pivotal connection arrangement thereby enabling a user sitting in said stern portion to steer the watercraft by way of his feet disposed on said bow portion.

56. The watercraft of claim 55 wherein said pivotal connection arrangement includes a biasing arrangement configured to maintain said bow portion in line with said stern portion.

57. The watercraft of claim 53 wherein said pivotal connection arrangement includes a release mechanism configured to enable reversibility of said bow portion having a plurality of leading hull geometries for negotiating different water conditions.

58. The watercraft of claim 53 wherein said connecting element includes a series of engagement configurations configured for selective engagement defining a length between said bow portion and said stern portion.

59. The watercraft of claim 58 wherein said connecting element includes a telescopic element having at least two connecting segments.