BUOYANT BOARD WITH STORAGE

Abstract

A buoyant board with storage. The buoyant board includes a board body including an upper surface; a storage recess defined by the upper surface; and a closure selectively closing the storage recess. When the closure closes the storage recess, the closure is substantially contiguous with an area of the upper surface surrounding the storage recess. The buoyant board includes a propulsion system connected to the board body. In some embodiments, the board includes a stowable mast or handlebar assembly, and the storage recess is disposed below the stowable mast when stowed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/745,876, entitled “Buoyant Board with Storage,” filed January 16, 2025, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates to buoyant boards.

BACKGROUND

Buoyant boards such as surfboards, paddleboards, etc. are sometimes equipped with a propulsion unit to provide thrust to the buoyant board and thereby reduce user effort during operation of the buoyant board. In some cases, the buoyant board may additionally have a hydrofoil to provide lift thereto, notably raising a running surface of the surfboard from the water to reduce drag.

Such boards are typically formed using shaped foam coated with a skin, for instance using resin and fiberglass or carbon fiber. In order to transport personal items and/or a safety kit, a user will generally need to strap the items to this smooth surface. This is inconvenient, encumbering the usable surface, as well as often complicated by waves and movement of the board.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a buoyant board that addresses at least some of these drawbacks.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present technology, there is provided a buoyant board including a board body including an upper surface; a storage recess defined by the upper surface; and a closure selectively closing the storage recess, when the closure closes the storage recess, the closure being substantially contiguous with an area of the upper surface surrounding the storage recess; and a propulsion system connected to the board body.

In some embodiments, the buoyant board further includes a stowable mast, the stowable mast being selectively movable between at least a deployed position and a stowed position, the storage recess being disposed below the stowable mast when in the stowed position.

In some embodiments, the upper surface has defined therein a mast recess for receiving the stowable mast when in the stowed position; and the storage recess is formed within the mast recess.

In some embodiments, the closure, when closing the storage recess, is at least partially aligned with portions of the upper surface defining the mast recess.

In some embodiments, the closure defines a portion of the mast recess when closing the storage recess.

In some embodiments, the stowable mast forms part of a handlebar assembly.

In some embodiments, the board body further includes a lower surface opposite the upper surface; the upper surface further defines a standing surface for a rider; and the standing surface is farther from the lower surface than the storage recess.

In some embodiments, the upper surface further defines a standing surface for a rider; and an opening of the storage recess is lower than the standing surface.

In some embodiments, further includes a sealed container disposed in the storage recess.

In some embodiments, the sealed container is a dry bag configured to be selectively secured in the storage recess.

In some embodiments, the buoyant board further includes a safety kit disposed in the storage recess.

In some embodiments, a secondary recess is formed in the board body; the secondary recess being formed within the storage recess; and the safety kit is selectively disposed in the secondary recess.

In some embodiments, a secondary recess is formed in the board body; the secondary recess being fluidly connected to the storage recess; an opening of the secondary recess facing rearward; and a top side of the secondary recess being closed.

In some embodiments, the secondary recess is accessible from within the storage recess.

In some embodiments, the storage recess is formed in a forward portion of the board body.

In some embodiments, the upper surface further defines a standing surface for a rider; and the storage recess is forward of the standing surface.

In some embodiments, the propulsion system includes a propulsion unit for providing thrust to the buoyant board.

In some embodiments, the propulsion unit is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position.

In some embodiments, the board body has a battery chamber defined therein.

In some embodiments, the battery chamber is selectively accessible on a top side of the board body, the upper surface defining an opening of the battery chamber.

In some embodiments, the battery chamber is rearward of the storage recess.

In some embodiments, the closure includes a rubber net, the rubber net maintaining items in the storage recess while permitting passage of water into and out of the storage recess.

For purposes of this application, terms related to spatial orientation such as forwardly, rearward, upwardly, downwardly, left, and right, are as they would normally be understood by a user of the buoyant board disposed thereon in a normal riding position. Terms related to spatial orientation when describing or referring to components or sub-assemblies of the buoyant board, separately from the buoyant board should be understood as they would be understood when these components or sub-assemblies are mounted to the buoyant board, unless specified otherwise in this application.

Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned objects and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned objects may not satisfy these objects and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of a buoyant board according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 2 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1, with a handlebar assembly being in a raised position;

FIG. 8 is a front, top right perspective view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1, with the handlebar assembly being in the raised position;

FIG. 9 is a left side elevation view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1, with the handlebar assembly being in the raised position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1, with the handlebar assembly being in the raised position;

FIG. 11 is a left side elevation view of the buoyant board of FIG. 1, a propulsion system being in a deployed position;

FIG. 12 is a front, top, right side perspective view of a front portion of the buoyant board of FIG. 1, with the handlebar assembly being removed;

FIG. 13 is a close-up, partial view of the front portion of the buoyant board of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the front portion of the buoyant board of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the buoyant board of FIG. 12, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a close-up, partial view of the front portion cross-section of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is another close-up, partial view of the front portion cross-section of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a closure of the buoyant board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a front, top, right side perspective view of the front portion of the buoyant board of FIG. 1, with the handlebar assembly and the closure being removed;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the front portion of the buoyant board of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the buoyant board of FIG. 19, taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a dry bag of the buoyant board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is another perspective view of the dry bag of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a front elevation view of the dry bag of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 25 is a rear elevation view of the dry bag of FIG. 22.

It should be noted that the drawings may not be scale, unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A buoyant board 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6. In this embodiment, the buoyant board 10 is a surfboard. The buoyant board 10 may be any other suitable type of buoyant board in other embodiments (e.g., a wakeboard, a paddleboard, etc.). The buoyant board 10 has a propulsion system 50 suspended therebeneath for providing propulsion to the buoyant board 10. In this example, the propulsion system 50 is a lift-propulsion system 50, sometimes referred to as an “eFoil”, for riding by an operator.

The buoyant board 10 has a buoyant board body 12 having upper and lower surfaces 14, 16 on respective upper and lower sides 18, 20 of the board body 12. In use, the rider of the buoyant board 10 is positioned on the upper surface 14 (e.g., standing, kneeling, sitting, lying down) to ride the buoyant board 10, whereas the lower surface 16 is configured to engage the surface of the water when the buoyant board 10 is underway (and the propulsion system 50 is in a retracted state as will be described further below). The board body 12 has a front end 22 and a rear end 24 defining a length of the buoyant body 12 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 4, a longitudinal center axis 25 of the watercraft 10 extends longitudinally between the front end 22 and the rear end 24 and bisects a width of the board body 12. In the present embodiment, the board body 12 has a length of about 2 meters and a beam of about 1 meter.

In this embodiment, the board body 12 is a molded plastic buoyant body (i.e., it is molded into shape from a plastic material). It is contemplated that the board body 12 could be made from different materials and using a different process. For example, the board body 12 could be made from a foam core covered with layers or sections of fiberglass, carbon fiber or another rigid material. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiments, the board body 12 has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners. It is to be understood that the configuration of the board body 12 may be different in other embodiments. According to the present technology, the board body 12 has various recesses and chambers defined therein as will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the buoyant board 10 has a plurality of handles 26 at various locations to allow the operator to hold onto the watercraft 10 such as for reboarding the watercraft 10 or hold the watercraft 10 during transport. The handles 26 may be positioned at different locations of the board body 12 in different embodiments. In other embodiments, the handles 26 may be omitted.

With additional reference to FIG. 11, the lift-propulsion system 50 selectively provides lift and propulsion to the watercraft 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the lift-propulsion system 50 is retractable between a retracted position (see for instance FIG. 3), a fully deployed position (FIG. 11), and a plurality of partially deployed positions in at least some embodiments (not shown). Notably, the retractable lift-propulsion system 50 can be conveniently and easily retracted or deployed at will to accommodate a desired operating mode of the rider of the buoyant board 10.

The board body 12 defines a chamber 48 between the upper and lower surfaces 14, 16 of the board body 12 for receiving various components of the lift-propulsion system 50 therein. A removable access panel 49, see for instance FIGS. 1 and 4, is provided to selectively close off part of the chamber 48 from the upper side 18 of the board body 12. The removable access panel 49 can be secured in place on the board body 12 in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, the removable access panel 49 includes a latch and is upwardly and rearwardly pivotable to give selective access to portions of the lift-propulsion system 50 disposed in the chamber 48 from the upper side of the board 10. The removeable access panel 49 forms a portion of the upper surface 14, including a portion of a standing surface 105 (described further below).

As is illustrated in FIG. 5, a bottom side of the chamber 48 is partially closed by a removable panel 47 connected to the board body 12. The panel 47 has a slit 46 defined therein, through which portions of the lift-propulsion system 50 extends from inside the chamber 48 to an exterior of the board body 12.

The lift-propulsion system 50 includes a propulsion mast 52 and a lift-propulsion assembly 60 connected thereto. The propulsion mast 52, also referred to as the mast 52, connects the lift-propulsion assembly 60 to the board body 12. A proximal end of the mast 52 is pivotally connected to the board body 12 inside the chamber 48. From the proximal end, the mast 52 extends out of the chamber 48 through the slit 46 toward the distal end thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lift-propulsion system 50 includes a mast deployment mechanism 55 for selectively rotating the mast 52. The mast deployment mechanism 55 is connected to the proximal end of the mast 52 and is disposed in the chamber 48. To position the lift-propulsion system 50 in the retracted position, the fully deployed position, or any position therebetween, the mast deployment mechanism 55 rotates the mast 52. In the retracted position, a majority of the mast 52 is positioned in the chamber 48.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the lift-propulsion assembly 60 includes a hydrofoil 62 and a propulsion unit 64. The hydrofoil 62 is configured to provide lift to the buoyant board 10 while the propulsion unit 64 is configured to provide thrust to the watercraft 10. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the hydrofoil 62 could be omitted and only the propulsion unit 64 might be provided connected to the mast 52 in some embodiments. It is also contemplated that more than one hydrofoil could be used in some embodiments.

The lift-propulsion assembly 60 is connected to the distal end of the mast 52 such that, in the deployed positions of the mast 52, the lift-propulsion assembly 60 is distanced from the board body 12 and, in the retracted position of the mast 52, the lift-propulsion assembly 60 is proximate the board body 12. The position of the lift-propulsion assembly 60 relative to the mast 52 is such that the hydrofoil 62 provides lift to the watercraft 10 in the deployed positions of the mast 52 but not significantly in the retracted position, thereby allowing the rider to place the mast 52 in the retracted position when he/she does not desire to ride the watercraft 10 with lift provided by the hydrofoil 62. On the other hand, the propulsion unit 64 provides thrust to the watercraft 10 (on command from the operator) in all the positions of the mast 52, including the retracted position and the deployed positions. Therefore, the propulsion unit 64 can be operated to propel the watercraft 10 irrespective of the position of the mast 52.

The buoyant board 10 includes an electrical assembly for operating the lift-propulsion system 50. In particular, in this embodiment, the electrical assembly has a battery 70. The battery 70 stores energy for powering the lift-propulsion assembly 60, including an electric motor (not shown) and an inverter (not shown) in electrical communication with the battery 70. The electrical assembly is supported by the board body 12 and further powers deployment of the mast 52 (not shown).

The battery 70 is housed in a battery chamber 72 defined by the board body 12. An upper portion of the chamber 72 is selectively accessible from the upper side 18 of board body 12. The upper surface 14 defines an opening of the battery chamber 72 with a removable battery access panel 71. While implemented in two separate access panels, it is contemplated that the panel 49 and the panel 71 could be on integrally formed panel providing access to the battery 70 and the lift-propulsion system 50 in one continuous chamber.

The propulsion unit 64 includes an impeller 75 rotatable about a rotating axis. The propulsion unit 64 also has a duct 74 surrounding the impeller 75 so as to improve the efficiency of the impeller 75 and increase safety. The lift-propulsion assembly 60 has an electric motor (not shown) driving the impeller 75 of the propulsion unit 64. As noted above, the electric motor is electrically connected to the battery 70 for receiving power therefrom.

The retractable lift-propulsion system 50 also has a throttle control (not shown) for use by the rider of the buoyant board 10. Notably, the throttle control is in communication with the electric motor to control driving of the propulsion unit 64 by the electric motor. The throttle control could be disposed on a handlebar assembly 40 that is connected to the board body 12 (described below). In other embodiments, the throttle control could be a handheld control that is held in the rider’s hand.

A more complete description of one embodiment of the lift-propulsion system 50 and its functionality can be found in International Patent Application Publication No. WO2022/091035, published on May 5, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

With additional reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the buoyant board 10 has a handlebar assembly 40 that can be moved between different positions and arranged differently according to a user’s preference and/or experience level for riding a board having a propulsion system. The handlebar assembly 40 can therefore facilitate riding of the buoyant board 10 for inexperienced users and can also accompany the user’s skill progression by providing a broad range of positions of the handlebar assembly 40 suitable for varying degrees of skill.

The buoyant board 10 can be ridden with the handlebar assembly 40 being in either of the lowered position (FIG. 1) and the raised position (FIG. 8), as well as any intermediate positions between the lowered and raised positions (not shown). For instance, in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly 40, the rider can ride the buoyant board 10 by standing up and riding hands-free or by kneeling on the buoyant board 10 using the handles 26 on the sides of the buoyant board 10. In the raised position of the handlebar assembly 40, the rider can ride the buoyant board 10 in single-handed operation by grasping a central handle 42 thereof.

As is illustrated schematically in FIG. 8, the upper surface 18 defines a standing surface 99 for a rider. The standing surface 99 is formed by the upper surface 14, generally rearward of the handlebar assembly 40, as well by at least some portions of the battery chamber panel 71 and the access panel 49.

The handlebar assembly 40 has a stowable mast 45 connected to the board body 12 and the central handle 42 connected to the stowable mast 45. The central handle 42 is configured to be grasped by a rider of the buoyant board 10 in order to facilitate riding thereof. In this embodiment, the central handle 42 defines a distal end portion of the handlebar assembly 40. The stowable mast 45 defines a proximal end portion of the handlebar assembly 40, opposite the distal end portion. In this embodiment, the handlebar assembly 40 is generally laterally centered with respect to the board body 12 such that the longitudinal axis 25 bisects the handlebar assembly 40.

The stowable mast 45 of the handlebar assembly 40 is pivotably connected to the board body 12 such that the handlebar assembly 40 is pivotable between at least a lowered position and a raised position as noted above. In this embodiment, the stowable mast 45 includes a hinge 44 connecting the handlebar assembly 40 to the board body 12 near the front end 22 thereof. As can be seen in FIG. 10, a pivot axis 43 extends generally laterally (left-right) relative to the board body 12. In the lowered position, the handlebar assembly 40 is generally laid horizontal (i.e., generally parallel to the longitudinal center axis 25). In the raised position, the handlebar assembly 40 extends upwardly from the upper surface 14 of the board body 12. More specifically, an angle formed between the handlebar assembly 40 and the longitudinal axis 25 increases as the handlebar assembly 40 is moved from the lowered position to the raised position.

In this embodiment, the handlebar assembly 40 is prevented from falling freely from the raised position to the lowered position by friction forces at the hinge 44. That is, the hinge 44 has sufficient friction in its articulation such that the friction forces at the hinge 44 slow the movement of the handlebar assembly 40 from the raised position to the lowered position caused by gravity (i.e., due to the weight of the handlebar assembly 40). It is contemplated that alternative and/or additional mechanisms for positing and controlling positioning of the handlebar assembly 40 could be included, depending on the embodiment. It is also contemplated that the handlebar assembly 40 could be removable in some embodiments.

With reference to FIGS. 12 to 15, the upper surface 14 of the board body 12 defines a stowable mast recess 140, also referred to as the handlebar recess 140 or the recess 140. In the present embodiment, the recess 140 is defined in a forward portion 11 of the board body 12. The recess 140 has a shape that generally matches a shape of a periphery of the handlebar assembly 40 in order to receive the handlebar assembly 40 therein when the handlebar assembly 40 is in the closed position. Two hand recesses 142 are formed along lateral sides of the recess 140 in order to permit hands of the user to grip lateral sides of the handlebar assembly 40, in order to raise the assembly 40 as desired.

The recess 140, which is defined in part by a stepped surface portion 141 (FIGS. 8, 12), has a height measured from the stepped surface 141 to the upper surface 14. In this embodiment, the height of the recess 141 corresponds to at least a majority of a thickness of the handlebar assembly 40. The thickness of the handlebar assembly 40 is measured vertically when the handlebar assembly 100 is in the lowered position. As such, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the lowered position, the handlebar assembly 40 is generally flush with the upper surface 14. This can make riding the buoyant board 10 more comfortable in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly 40 as stepping on the handlebar assembly 40 will not be substantially different to the rider than stepping on any other part on the upper side 20 of the buoyant board 10.

With additional reference to FIGS. 15, 16, and 19 to 21, the upper surface 14 of the board body 12 further defines a storage recess 150 for selectively receiving items from a user of the buoyant board 10. In the present embodiment, the storage recess 150 is formed within the recess 140. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, the storage recess 150 is disposed below the handlebar assembly 40, and more specifically being the stowable mast 45, when in the handlebar assembly 40 is in the stowed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the storage recess 150 is formed in the front portion 11 of the board body 12. As such, the storage recess 150 is forward of the standing surface 99. When the handlebar assembly 40 is in a raised position, a user standing or sitting on the standing surface 99 can access the storage recess 150. An opening of the storage recess 150 is lower than the standing surface 99. The handlebar assembly 40 is generally aligned with the standing surface 99, with the storage recess 150 being disposed there below. The board body 12 is further arranged such that the battery chamber 72 is rearward of the storage recess 150.

With additional reference to FIG. 17 and 18, the buoyant board 10 further includes a closure 100 for selectively closing the storage recess 150. The closure 100 selectively connects to the board body 12 and can be fully or partially removed therefrom for accessing the storage recess 150. When the closure 100 closes the storage recess 150, the closure 100 is substantially contiguous with the surface surrounding the storage recess 150. This arrangement aids in preventing items from inadvertently escaping the storage recess 150. When connected to the board body 12 and closing the storage recess 150, the closure 100 is at least partially aligned with portions of the surface defining the mast recess 140. As can be seen in at least FIG. 12, the closure 100 defines a portion of the mast recess 140 when closing the storage recess 150.

The closure 100 is illustrated in isolation in FIG. 18. The closure 100 includes a rubber net 105. The rubber net 105 maintains items in the storage recess 150 while permitting passage of water into and out of the storage recess 150. In the present embodiment, the closure 100 is formed from rubber, but different materials or a combination of materials is contemplated.

A front end portion 102 of the closure 100 connects the closure 100 to the board body 12 within the storage recess 150. As can be seen in FIGS. 16 and 17, Christmas-tree style fasteners 135 are connected to the board body 12 within the storage recess 150, specifically from a wall defining a front side of the recess 150. The closure 100 includes a tab 125 extending perpendicularly from the front-end portion 102. The tab 125 includes apertures (not shown) for pushing over the fasteners 135 to secure the front-end portion 102 to the board body 12. While the present arrangement does not permit simple removal of the closure 100 from the board body 12, it is contemplated that a different connection mechanism could be used.

A rear end portion 104 of the closure 100 selectively connects the closure 100 to the board body 12 above the storage recess 150. The rear end portion 104 includes a connection portion 110 that includes two hook tabs 112. Each hook tab 112 has an aperture 114 defined therein. To close the rear end portion 104, each hook tab 112 is pulled rearward to insert a hook 138 of the board body 12 into the corresponding aperture 113 (see FIG. 13 for instance). Two hooks 138 are disposed in the recess 140. The user can thus selectively open the closure 100 and access the storage recess 150 by removing the connection portion 110 from the hooks 138 and lifting the rear end portion 104 upwardly and forwardly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the board body 12 further defines a secondary recess 160 within the storage recess 150. A portion of the surface defining the mast recess 140 extends over the secondary recess 160, such that the secondary recess 160 is open toward a rear of the board body 12. Specifically, an opening of the secondary recess 160 faces rearward in the present embodiment, and a top side of the secondary recess 160 is closed. The storage recess 150 is fluidly connected to the secondary recess 160, with the secondary recess 160 being accessible from within the storage recess 150. Items to be introduced into or removed from the secondary recess 160 must pass through the storage recess 150 (see at least FIG. 15).

It is contemplated that a variety of items could be stored in the secondary recess 160. In the present embodiment, the buoyant board 10 further provided with a safety kit 190 (shown schematically in FIG. 6) disposed in the storage recess 150. The safety kit 190 could include but is not limited to: a heaving line, a whistle, and a flashlight. The safety kit 190 is selectively disposed in the secondary recess. It is contemplated that the buoyant board 10 could be provided without the safety kit (i.e. the user would be required to prepare their own such kit) or that the safety kit 190 could be acquired or provided separately from the buoyant board 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the board body 12 further defines therein two drain passages 95 (see for instance FIGS. 6 and 15). A forward drain passage 95 is fluidly connected to the storage recess 150. A rear drain passage 95 is fluidly connected to the secondary recess 160. The drain passages 95 permit water introduced into the recesses 150, 160 to be drained therefrom. In some embodiments, a valve could be included in the passages 95 to permit water to exit from the recess 150, 160 while preventing water from flowing into the passages 95 from an exterior of the board body 12. In some embodiments, caps or stoppers could be included to selectively close the passages 95 to prevent the flow of water therethrough. It is also contemplated that the passages 95 could be omitted in some embodiments.

With continued reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 and additional reference to FIGS. 22 to 25, the buoyant board 10 is provided with a sealed container 200 in the present embodiment. The sealed container 200 is configured to be selectively disposed in the storage recess 150. In the present embodiment, the sealed container 200 is a dry bag 200 configured to be selectively secured in the storage recess 150 by the closure 100 and selectively be removed therefrom for use by the user of the buoyant board 10 when the closure 100 is removed or opened.

The dry bag 200 includes bag body 210 for receiving items therein. The bag body 210 is formed from a water-resistant or water-proof material. The bag body 210 is selectively opened and closed with a bag closure 220. To seal the bag closure 220 shut to prevent water entering through the bag closure 220, the bag 200 includes two locking tabs 230. The bag closure 220 also defines a notch 235 therein to permit the bag 200 to be hung by the user. It is contemplated that the notch 235 could be omitted in some embodiments.

While there is no specific anchoring feature for the dry bag 200 in the present embodiment, it is contemplated that a sealed container could be selectively mounted within the storage recess 150. For instance, it is contemplated that the board body 12 could include a hook to selectively receive the notch 235 in some embodiments.

Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A buoyant board comprising:

a board body comprising: an upper surface; a storage recess defined by the upper surface; and a closure selectively closing the storage recess, when the closure closes the storage recess, the closure being substantially contiguous with an area of the upper surface surrounding the storage recess; and a propulsion system connected to the board body.

2. The buoyant board of claim 1, further comprising a stowable mast, the stowable mast being selectively movable between at least a deployed position and a stowed position, the storage recess being disposed below the stowable mast when in the stowed position.

3. The buoyant board of claim 2, wherein:

the upper surface has defined therein a mast recess for receiving the stowable mast when in the stowed position; and

the storage recess is formed within the mast recess.

4. The buoyant board of claim 3, wherein the closure, when closing the storage recess, is at least partially aligned with portions of the upper surface defining the mast recess.

5. The buoyant board of claim 3, wherein the closure, when closing the storage recess, defines a portion of the mast recess.

6. The buoyant board of claim 2, wherein the stowable mast forms part of a handlebar assembly.

7. The buoyant board of claim 1, wherein: the board body further comprises a lower surface opposite the upper surface; the upper surface further defines a standing surface for a rider; and the standing surface is farther from the lower surface than the storage recess.

8. The buoyant board of claim 1, wherein: the upper surface further defines a standing surface for a rider; and an opening of the storage recess is lower than the standing surface.

9. The buoyant board of claim 1, further comprising a sealed container disposed in the storage recess, the sealed container being a dry bag configured to be selectively secured in the storage recess.

10. The buoyant board of claim 1, further comprising a safety kit disposed in the storage recess; and wherein: a secondary recess is formed in the board body; the secondary recess being formed within the storage recess; and the safety kit is selectively disposed in the secondary recess.

11. The buoyant board of claim 1, wherein:

a secondary recess is formed in the board body;

the secondary recess being fluidly connected to the storage recess;

an opening of the secondary recess facing rearward; and

a top side of the secondary recess being closed.

12. The buoyant board of claim 11, wherein the secondary recess is accessible from within the storage recess.

13. The buoyant board of claim 1, wherein the storage recess is formed in a forward portion of the board body.

14. The buoyant board of claim 1, wherein: the upper surface further defines a standing surface for a rider; and the storage recess is forward of the standing surface.

15. The buoyant board of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system includes a propulsion unit for providing thrust to the buoyant board.

16. The buoyant board of claim 15, wherein the propulsion unit is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position.

17. The buoyant board of claim 1, wherein the board body has a battery chamber defined therein.

18. The buoyant board of claim 17, wherein the battery chamber is selectively accessible on a top side of the board body, the upper surface defining an opening of the battery chamber.

19. The buoyant board of claim 17, wherein the battery chamber is rearward of the storage recess.

20. The buoyant board of claim 1, wherein the closure includes a rubber net, the rubber net maintaining items in the storage recess while permitting passage of water into and out of the storage recess.