Abstract: A transportation device for the reception and transporting of persons and/or items over hard and soft surfaces including water. The transportation device includes a hull member having a bottom portion and upwardly extending side, forward and rear portions. At least the side portions, and in the preferred embodiment the front and rear portions as well, terminate in horizontally extending rim members which have portions defining holes therein which are used for attaching various articles such as, for example, canopies, covers, umbrellas and fluid containers. Wheel members are provided which can be permanently or releasably attached to the hull member whereby the transportation device can be rolled over a hard surface. The transportation device also includes a plurality of elongated spaced rib members disposed on the outer surface of the bottom portion of the hull member and extending longitudinally between the forward and rear portions of the hull member.

Abstract: An improved boat trailer for enabling a single operator to load and unload marine craft. The boat trailer includes an extendible tongue allowing it to be submersed by a conventional motor vehicle. The trailer includes laterally separated guide posts adjacent the rear of the trailer and a forward sliding mooring hook assembly. When the trailer is backed into the water, the boat is free to float off the trailer as a slide member supporting the front end of the boat slides upwardly along a slide channel. When loading the boat onto the trailer, the boat is moved into position over the trailer and the fore end of the boat is fastened to the slide member. As the boat is withdrawn from the water, the boat settles onto the trailer in registry with supporting members being guided by the freely moving slide member and the laterally separated guide posts.

Abstract: A boat carrier is provided for manually transporting a canoe in the field. The device allows a user to pull the canoe and any fishing gear to any distance in one easy trip. The boat carrier includes a quick disassemble frame for receiving the canoe near the midsection, a pair of transversely spaced-apart heavy terrain wheels attached to the frame, and a pair of hold down brackets for resiliently securing the canoe to the frame assembly.

Abstract: A boat situated on a boat trailer is fitted with a launching rope, attached at one end to a bow eye on the boat and at another end to an eye bolt attached to the rear of the trailer. The rope is supported between its ends by one or more rope retention guides that are situated adjacent to obstacles on the trailer, notably the keel support rollers, that might otherwise interfere with the rope when the boat is launched. To launch the boat, the launching rope is secured to the bow eye and the eye bolt and the trailer is backed down a boat launching ramp to a point at which the bow of the boat is at the waters edge, at which point the winch cable and safety chain securing the boat to the trailer are detached. The boat may undergo spontaneous premature launch at this point, but if not, the trailer is backed farther into the water, allowing the boat to float free as the trailer enters deeper water.

Abstract: An attachment for a boat which raises at least the stern of a boat for transportation and/or storage. A stern support, a pivot for securing the support to the boat, and a system for pivoting the support are disclosed. The support pivoting system rotates the support from an initial position to a final position whereby the boat is sufficiently elevated relative to the ground or water bottom.

Abstract: A boat trailer is disclosed, having a rigid frame, a guide member adapted for guiding a boat being loaded onto or launched from the trailer, and buoyant members for elevating the guide member to an altitude proximate a surface level of a body of water into which the trailer has been driven. The trailer may include a subframe pivotally mounted to the main frame. The guide member, which may be a pair of cables trained over a plurality of upright stanchions mounted on the frame, defines a "V"-shaped channel dimensioned to receive and guide a boat. The subframe may be fitted with low density material blocks which upon being placed in water effect a hydrostatically-induced, buoyant force against the subframe causing that subframe to rise as it pivots about its frame mounting. The trailer is adapted for forming an automatic connection with an incoming boat and further, for automatically uncoupling itself from a boat being launched. The trailer is thereby suited for one-man loading and launching operations.

Abstract: A transporter carriage upon which a jet ski is securely placed and related methods. The transporter carriage comprises rails forming part of a framework, the rails being shaped to compatibly receive the jet ski, and releasibly interchangeable support systems which provide carriage support and mobility.

Abstract: A boat cradle is pushed from, and pulled onto, the bed of a combined trailer by launcher and retriever cabling in combination with a reversible drum winch and a telescoping push/pull rod. Longitudinal alignment of the cradle with the bed of the trailer is maintained by a folding stabilizer assembly. If desired, a telescoping stabilizer is substituted for the folding stabilizer component of the stabilizer assembly. The cradle has a buoyant multi-wheeled boat keel support platform and hand rails. A cradled vessel is weather protected by placing conventional light weight covered framing over the cradle. Alternatively, the vessel is protected by having an enclosure installed over the combined trailer.

Abstract: A dolly for transporting a boat in a laterally vertical orientation. The dolly has a pair of spaced frame members forming a pocket or cradle for holding the boat, and a stabilizing bar for engaging the topmost beam of the boat or to which an elastic member is attached for securing the topmost beam. The dolly has four wheels or two wheels and in the four wheel configuration the front wheels can be of the swivel type. The spacing between the two frame members can be adjusted to accommodate boats of different depths.

Abstract: A boat hitch for latching or hitching the bow of a boat to a boat trailer to provide efficient and safe withdrawal of a boat from the water and hitching the boat to the trailer to enhance the safety factor in towing a boat and trailer over the highway. The boat hitch includes a pivotal latch structure mounted on the forward end portion of a boat trailer which is associated with a cam-type keeper on the bow of the boat in which the keeper includes a curved cam ramp extending from a shallow forward end to a rearward end having greater depth and a keeper surface generally extending vertically at the rearward end of the cam ramp. The latch includes a pivotal pawl that is locked in a vertical position in engagement with the keeper surface when the boat is locked on the trailer with the pawl being manually released and pivoted to a generally rearwardly extending horizontal position for releasing the boat to enable it to move off the trailer when launching the boat into a body of water.

Abstract: A boat latching device for securing the hull of a boat to a trailer having a bow stop bar includes a latch-catch member having a recess for receiving the bow stop bar, the latch-catch member being mounted onto the hull of the boat. The latching device also includes an overcenter pawl member having a plurality of cam surfaces which cooperate with a resilient spring. The resilient spring holds the pawl member in a locking position in which the bow stop bar is retained within the recess and in an unlocking position for permitting the release of the bow stop bar from the recess.

Abstract: A house trailer and boat assembly with improved integration of the specific elements of the trailer and boat configurations such that in each of the house trailer and house boat configurations as few as possible of the elements of the other configurations are noticeable. This house trailer and boat assembly comprises a house trailer box defining elongated lateral apertures, elongated lateral floats pivotally stowable in the house trailer box, elongated panels covering the internally stowed floats for the travel configuration, and end floats at the opposite ends of the house trailer box, and pivotable each between its boat position and its travel position where they cooperatively define with the house trailer box a generally typical house trailer shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading, unloading and storing a jet propelled water vehicle comprising a first pair of tubes made of relatively smooth surfaced plastic plumbing pipe or the like, a second pair of tubes of similar construction which telescope within and extend from the first pair of tubes and devices to adjustably support and space the first pair of tubes on a truck bed, mini-van floor, trailer frame, elevated rack or the like. When the first pair of tubes are mounted in a pickup truck bed for example and the second pair of tubes are drawn out as an extension of the first pair of tubes, a jet propelled vehicle can be loaded directly from the water by applying the weight of the vehicle to bend the second pair of tubes and after a short jet burst propelling the vehicle along the tubes with the grooves in the hull of the vehicle engaging the tubes. In another mode the vehicle slides on the tubes onto a storage rack directly from the water or from the bed of a pickup truck or the like.

Abstract: A safety trailer step provides improved footing for a person launching or loading a boat onto a trailer. The safety trailer step comprises a step formed with a platform and two parallel side plates. The side plates snugly receive the trailer tongue therebetween and extend below the tongue. Tightening bolts through the side plates sandwiches the tongue therebetween to rigidly mount the safety trailer step to the trailer tongue. The platform may be centered over the tongue, or it may be laterally offset therefrom. A non-skid plastic plate may be attached to the platform upper surface. The present invention includes spacers that fit between the tongue and the step such that the safety trailer step can be used with a variety of trailer tongue widths.

Abstract: There is disclosed a catamaran either of the inboard or of the outboard type comprising a tunnel having a decreasing height from the bow to the stern thereof and so shaped as to provide an optimal distribution of the underlaying air pressure and in which, under the two flexible material tubular elements supporting the overlaying structure there are affixed tight rigid hulls which can consist of two or more parts in order to better fit the configurations of the waves by exploiting the resiliency of the tubular elements. The rear part of each hull is so designed as to form a small tunnel for preventing water from laterally exiting which is very important at the start and gliding of the boat. Thus the boat will be very soft, safe with high speed and reduced consume characteristics.

Abstract: A marker assembly for a boat trailer according to the invention includes a marker pole, a reservoir or tank disposed at one end of the marker pole, and a bracket assembly for rotatably mounting the marker to a conventional boat trailer. The reservoir fills with water and is configured so that the marker pole is self-righting. The marker assembly according to the invention eliminates the need for manually righting the marker prior to backing the trailer into the water near a dock or similar structure.

Abstract: Canoe toting apparatus which enables a single individual to manually transport a canoe or similar marine craft over reasonable distances comprises a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on opposite ends of an adjustable width axle and a adjustable-width gunwale clamp whcih extends parallel to the axle and is attached at each end to one of the axle ends by clamping rods. The rods are threaded and accept nuts which can be tightened against the gunwale clamp to secure the canoe against the axle. An optional keel guide, contoured for a conventional V-shaped keel, attaches to the top surface of the axle to accommodate canoes having keels.

Abstract: A sailboard including hull, mast and rigged sail assembly and a foot operated rudder pivotally and rotatably mounted to the stern of the hull, with the rudder being adjustable longitudinally to the different heights of sailboard users while maintaining the same or desired craft displacement of the sailboard regardless of the body and/or leg lengths of any user.

Abstract: A rotatable wheel is mounted under a sailboat or other boat and shaped in a manner such that it will be efficient in developing a hydrodynamic lifting force to function as the boat's primary keel to resist leeway and provide directional stability. The wheel or wheels can also be used to ramp launch or haul the boat and to roll the boat about on land. In order to reduce hydrodynamic drag, a tire fitted onto the wheel forms a continuous and fair surface with the wheel wall.

Abstract: An amphibious accommodation unit which includes a main enclosed area incorporating a main hull and a second hull pivotally connected to the main area for movement between a first position wherein it comprises an extension of the main hull so that the unit may be used on water and a second position wherein the second hull is either supported in an upright attitude adjacent the main area or folded over the main area to define a second roof for the main area so that the unit may be used in combination with a trailer as a caravan for land use. The unit may also incorporate pivotal hulls at each end of the main area.

Abstract: A boat dolly has a wheel supported carrier. The carrier has spaced abutment plates, which support a boat tipped on its side. One of the abutment plates engages the bottom of the boat. The other abutment plate engages the lower side gunwale of the boat. The abutment plate that engages the bottom of the boat is adjustably secured to the carrier or regulating the distance between the abutment plates.

Abstract: A portable canoe carrier apparatus is set forth wherein a central carrier portion supports a medial portion of a canoe in a mobile fashion by means of associated wheels. The central portion has formed along an inner surface, a plurality of inflatable air cushion devices to accommodate variations in hull size of an associated canoe. First and second terminal support portions have integrally formed handles thereto for manual transport and guidance of said canoe body.

Abstract: A collapsible cargo carrier is the subject of the present invention. The carrier comprises a rigid framework for supporting cargo and an axle and wheel assembly for moving the cargo over a surface. A generally rectangular framework supports the cargo and is coupled with the axle by triangular supports which are releasably hinged to the cargo carrying framework. By removing two locking pins, the axle is released from the framework and the triangular supports can be collapsed against the cargo carrying portion of the framework. Mounting brackets are provided for storing the axle and wheel assembly on the side of the framework when the other components have been collapsed. Accessories are provided for accommodating larger loads and for facilitating movement of loads by providing elongated handles on the carrier.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, wheel unit, an adjustably mounted winch unit including a keel engaging member, an elongated second keel engaging member pivotally mounted on the frame rearwardly of the winch unit and self-centering to engage a longitudinal length of the keel, a pair of fender units each of which is reversibly mountable on either side of the frame for projecting a wheel, a pair of unitary post load guide brackets slidably engaged with the rear of the frame members and each supporting both a post guide and a rear taillight, a cross member pivotally and longitudinally adjustably mounted at each end to a frame member, and a pair of bunks and a pair of aligned, resiliently mounted roller units interchangeably mounted on said cross member for providing an automatic, full line engagement of either the bunks or the roller units with the bottom of the hull, when loaded, in combination with the second keel engaging member, forming a self-adjusting three point support of the boat hull.

Abstract: A knock-down boat assembly comprises bow, mid and stern water-tight transverse hull sections, each having fore and aft ends, concave side walls and a transverse bulkhead at the aft end of the bow section, at the fore and aft ends of the mid section and at the fore end of the stern section. The stern section is nestable in the mid-section and the bow section is nestable in the stern section when in the knock-down configuration. The forward bulkhead of the stern section is secured in a position butting against the aft bulkhead of the mid-section and the aft bulkhead of the bow section is secured in a position butting against the fore bulkhead of the mid-section when the boat is assembled for sailing.

Abstract: A boat dolly having two narrow upstanding carriages held in spaced apart relationship by elongated rods. Each carriage has a V-shaped notched into which a boat is fitted and is carried therein. Each carriage is fitted with rotatable subassembly carriages. Each subassembly carriage is fitted at their underside thereof with at least three caster wheels. The casters rotate 360.degree. and the subassemblies also rotate 360.degree.. As a result the entire dolly is able to rotate 360.degree. about a central vertical axis.

Abstract: A boat dolly utilizes two pairs of transversely mounted wheels to allow a boat to be transported horizontally or in a vertical on edge orientation. One pair of wheels may be selectively attached to either end of the dolly. One pair of wheels are removable for transportation and storage purposes. The dolly is provided with a mounting bracket adapted to engage the outboard motor mount on a boat. The mounting bracket is adjustable, and may be adapted to cooperate with any outboard motor mount, regardless of the angle thereof. The dolly allows a single individual to transport and launch a non-trailered boat.

Abstract: A trailable pontoon system that may be pulled behind a road vehicle and that may facilitate the launch of said road vehicle to effect a waterborne configuration comprised of the pontoon system and the vehicle. The trailable pontoons are capable of being unfolded by means of a rotating winch bar and are capable of separation to permit the vehicle to enter between the pontoons and be lifted into a mounted configuration upon the pontoons utilizing aforesaid winch bar. The launch and retrieval procedures utilize a combination of the pontoon's floatation capability, the vehicle's structural integrity, drive train and braking system and the facilitative function of the rotating winch bar. The vehicle/pontoon configuration, when waterborne, is a hybrid of the vehicle's inherent structural integrity and the floatation capability of the pontoons.

Abstract: A compact portable folding boat comprising a mid section with a wheel coupled to the front of the mid section. The boat has sections hinged to each side of the mid section which fold up over the mid section for storage. The boat can be rolled on the wheel in a folded position, then opened to a fully operative position and a motor may be clamped onto the transom of the mid section. The interior of each section may be used to store various components of a boat and a collapsible chair may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention is a boat trailer which features a wishbone chassis-frame rail which is shaped to precisely fit the hull bottom of the carried craft at a particular index point, and which has a single suspension bridge type bottom flange. The wishbone chassis-frame also has a cam-shaped termination at its back end.

Abstract: A system for towing and launching a waterborne craft (10). The system includes a pair of tracks (26) which are floatable and are streamed from the shore (16) onto the surface (28) of a body of water (14) into which the craft (10) is to be launched. A carriage (12) is provided for supporting the craft (10), the carriage (12) including a pair of wheels (18) which have concavities (24) formed in outer peripheral surfaces thereof. The concavities (24) receive the elongated, generally cylindrical, tubular tracks (26) therein so that, as the carriage (12) is fed from the shore (16) into the water (14), the tracks (26) will be maintained at a distance from one another approximating the distance between the wheels (18). Additionally, the tracks (26) which were floating on the surface (28) of the water (14) will be urged downwardly in the water (14) and onto the bottom (40) thereof. When not in use, the tracks (26) can be easily removed from the body of water (14).

Abstract: A power take-off device for employing the power of a prime mover originally provided for propelling a watercraft to drive equipment other than the watercraft. The stern-side end of an impeller shaft rotated by the prime mover for propulsion is extended outward beyond the impeller to be exposed in view. This extended portion provides a coupling engaging removably with an input coupling to a drive gear on aforesaid equipment.

Abstract: A carriage adapted for an inboard-type motorboat provided with a power take-off device for a prime mover. The carriage comprises a dolly loading the watercraft, plural wheels inclusive of driving wheels rotatably supported by shafts on the dolly, an input shaft engaging with aforesaid power take-out device, and a power transmission fixed to the dolly to transmit torque of the input shaft to aforesaid driving wheels, and is driven by the torque transmitted from the power take-off device of the watercraft loaded on aforesaid dolly.

Abstract: A dolly for carrying sailboards has a frame made of lightweight tubing, and has two pneumatic tired wheels mounted independently on opposite sides of the frame. The frame utilizes a telescoping tube arrangement to enable it to provide rigid support for the sailboard, and to allow it to be collapsed into a small, relatively flat package for storage. The dolly is designed particularly, so as to be able to easily transport sailboards across soft sandy beaches, without sinking in the sand, as well as on hard paved surfaces.

Abstract: An assembly for towing a boat includes a pair of channel members mounted on the transom of the boat and a towing socket fastened to the prow of the boat for attachment to a tow ball formed as part of an upstanding hitch carried on a tow vehicle. A pair of leaf spring supports each carry wheels and stub axles and are pinned to the channel members by means of pivot pins and other removable pins which hold the supports firmly in the channels when the removable pins are in place, which holds the wheels firmly in the lowered position for towing and which permit the supports and wheels to be rotated around the pivot pins to store the wheels when the removable pins are removed. Each of the stub axles includes a hollow extension which supports at its outboard end a rod or shaft serving as a stabilizing bar and the stabilizing bars are held in axial alignment by means of a stabilizing retaining tube supporting the stabilizing bars at their inboard ends.

Abstract: A device is provided for hoisting a boat on board a ship, even when this latter is moving, in which a ramp is provided coupled to the rear of the ship for pivoting about a transverse horizontal axis related to the ship, said ramp being adapted for supporting and smoothly guiding the boat between the water and the reception zone provided on board the ship and being for this purpose formed by an array of cables stretched over a V shaped cradle.

Abstract: A portable boat ramp having a frame supporting a cradle having protective support pads thereon. The frame also includes ground stakes for securing the ramp in a temporary position on the waterbed. A boat may be temporarily moored with the forward portion of the hull in the cradle in a position near the shoreline but with the boat out of contact with the waterbed, thus preventing damage to the boat hull from such contact and the buffeting and wave action normally encountered when the boat is beached.

Abstract: A boat guide for use in loading a boat from a body of water onto a trailer. There is one upright post on each side of the boat trailer near the rear end thereof each of which is of sufficient height to extend above the water when loading the boat. A cross-member having a cradle in the center connects the upper ends of these two posts. The posts are each pivotally connected to the floor or frame of the trailer and are held by a spring in an upright position. When the boat is to be loaded, the keel of the boat is directed toward the cradle and as the boat moves over the trailer, the guide rotates but the keel still follows the cradle.

Abstract: A boat trailer frame is described including an adjustable pair of elongated frame members extending from a tongue section to a wheel supported carriage. Bunks are mounted directly to the frame members. Forward ends of the frame members are pivotably mounted to the tongue and selectively clamped to the wheel carriage. Lateral adjustment of the distance between the frame members and bunks is provided to accommodate boat hulls of varying configurations. Such lateral adjustment is accomplished simply by pivoting the frame members together or apart about the forward pivots at the tongue. Clamps are included for selectively securing the frame members to the carriage assembly and tongue once a selected space between the bunks is achieved. Other clamps are used to facilitate longitudinal adjustment of the wheel carriage position along the frame members to adjust "tongue weight".

Abstract: An automatic latch is mounted on the front of a self-loading boat trailer to the fixed upright framework that includes a bow-receiving cradle. The latch member has a central transverse pivot. The rear end of the latch has an upwardly and forwardly inclined hook, while the front end of the latch has a counterweight normally urging the hook in a raised position. The forward loading movement of the boat onto the trailer causes a boat eye mounted on the bow of the boat to deflect the hook into a lowered position until the counterweight returns the hook to a raised position so the hook interlocks with the boat eye. An adjustable handle is mounted on the framework, and it cooperates with a tension spring, where the spring is relaxed during a boat-loading operation, and the spring is loaded during a boat-unloading operation so that the latch automatically disconnects itself from the boat eye during unloading.

Abstract: A latch assembly for securing a boat to a trailer for loading the boat onto the trailer although the boat may be floating at varying water levels relative to the trailer. The latch assembly includes a first latch, provided with a retentive framework and spring loaded door, mounted on the bow of a boat and a second or mating latch, having a framework provided with an elongated and vertically oriented latch pin. The framework of the mating latch is hingably mounted to a trailer post located adjacent the front of the trailer so as to incline in conformity with the bow of a boat. The spring loaded door of latch strikes the elongated latch pin at a vertical position dependent upon the water level, boat height, and trailer level and opens and then closes to captivate the latch pin. As the trailer is removed from the water, the latch slides down the latch pin until the boat rests upon the trailer bed.

Abstract: A boat trailer including a main frame (4,8) having mounted thereon a keel support (21) adjustable, side supports (20) and self-storing upwardly and outwardly flaring dolphins (22). The trailer is capable of being located in water deep enough to float the boat on or off because the tongue is extendible, box beam (70) including hitch (76) is movable relative to box beam (10) under control of powered drive means (74), controlling flexible members (80,84), the opposite ends of which are anchored to box beam (10). A floating boat is guided into an automatic latch mechanism by guides (18,30) and automatically secured to or released from latch (48) from the helm of the boat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheel support assembly for a boat which is pivotally attached to the side of the boat such that the boat can be easily transported on land and, when launched, can be pivoted into the interior of the boat hull. Also disclosed are drawbars for attachment to the bow of the boat which enable the boat to be towed behind a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dolly for use with a sailboard. The dolly has a U-shaped portion with upright members to receive a board which has been twisted 90.degree. to the horizontal. An elastic strap extends across the top of the U-shaped members to hold the board in place. The dolly includes a pair of wheels which support the end of the board received in the U-shaped portion.

Abstract: A readily mountable and removable portable boat dolly for mounting to a boat to aid in transporting the boat over land is shown, including a pair of wheel support units, each having a mounting surface for frictionally engaging the bottom of the boat. A pair of wheels are rotatably mounted to each of the wheel support units. A mounting strap engages the wheel support units below the mounting surfaces thereof, with the strap having hooks at both ends configured for hooking over the gunwales of the boat. Levers are provided for applying and maintaining tension in the mounting strap, whereby the mounting surfaces of the wheel support units are held in frictional engagement with the bottom of the boat.

Abstract: A retractable wheel assembly for attachment to a boat or other objects to be transported over a hard surface. The assembly comprises a mounting bracket for mounting to the object to be transported. A wheel strut having foldable arm portions pivotally connected to the mounting bracket, a first lock assembly for locking the folded arm portions in a stowed or wheel deployable position and a second lock assembly for locking the arms in both a wheel stowed position and in a wheel deployed position.

Abstract: A device and method to assist in transporting and launching a boat, such device including wheels disposed on a wheel support member beneath the boat when the boat is upside down and a flotation member disposed on such wheel support member positioned under a gunwale of the boat, such method including wheeling the boat on the device while upside down into the water and rotating the boat onto the flotation member to keep the gunwale out of the water and continuing the rotation until the boat is on its bottom floating in the water.

Abstract: In a fishing boat short haul supporting device a pair of wheels are journalled by horizontal axles strut connected with the boat transom by pivotally connected plates to support the boat stern. A trailer hitch equipped tongue secured to the boat stem and braced with the gunwales by rod stabilizers, support the bow when connected with a self propelled vehicle.

Abstract: A sailboarding equipment vehicle is provided in the form of a rackcart comprising an upstanding frame elongated at the base in a forward to rearward direction with spaced wheels at the forward end and a kick stand at the rear end of the base, the upstanding portion of the frame being offset slightly from the vertical to provide inclined support for a sailboard having a center edge portion resting on the base of the frame, the upper portion of the frame having an elongated tubular part supporting a longer rotatable member extending front to rear of the frame with a hand grip portion protruding from the rear of the frame, clamp member joined to the rotatable member at portions thereof externally of the tubular part protruding from the board side of the frame having a downwardly offset portion providing a board clamp in one position of rotation thereof, the rotatable member being releasably secured in different positions of rotatable adjustment, outer extremities of the board clamp member providing hook portions

Abstract: A canoe caddy having a frame adapted to support one end of a canoe or boat thereon, front ground-engaging wheels, and rear ground-engaging wheels. The frame is held straight over the top of the wheels in a first position which is useful for attaching one end of a canoe in an inverted position thereon, for moving such canoe near a vehicle, and for loading such canoe onto or off from a car top carrier or the like. Once the canoe and caddy are loaded onto such car top carrier, then the caddy can be loaded to a more compact position. The caddy is also useful in a third position whereby the frame is rotated over the front wheels thereof for receiving a canoe in an upright position on one end thereof for permitting one person to easily transport the canoe to the water's edge for launching such canoe into the water using such caddy.