Abstract: An improved kayak provides a rigid open cockpit hull with air chambers attached to the hull. The air chambers provide a generally convex shape for increased maneuverability and also provide cushioning against impact to reduce the risk of injury to the kayak pilot. The air chambers allow for an open cockpit kayak with an exterior surface having a similar shape as a conventional closed cockpit kayak, providing a similar level of maneuverability and allowing for completion of maneuvers such as rolling the kayak from an inverted position in the water.

Abstract: A small boat with a sponson for preventing splashing of spray onto the deck of the boat. The small boat is provided with a hull sponson at an outer periphery of the hull in order to fit the deck constituting an upper part of a boat body to the hull constituting a lower part of the boat body. A deck sponson is provided at an outer periphery of the deck, and the deck sponson is overlaid so as to bond with the hull sponson. The extent of projection of one member of the hull sponson and the deck sponson at the front section of the boat body is larger than the extent of projection of a member of the hull sponson and the deck sponson at a second member of the boat body. As a result, when the small boat is gliding and collides with a wave, the sponson prevents spray from the wave from splashing onto the deck.

Abstract: A personal watercraft has a hull and sub-deck (HSD) assembly. The sub-deck defines at least one first opening therein. A deck is disposed above the sub-deck. A suspension member passes through the at least one first opening and is disposed at least in part inside the HSD assembly. The suspension member has a first end pivotally connected to the deck. The suspension member has a second end pivotally connected to the HSD assembly. The suspension member has a fixed length. A suspension element has a first end connected to one of the deck, the HSD assembly, and the suspension member. The suspension element has a second end connected to another one of the deck, the HSD assembly, and the suspension member.

Abstract: A command chair for a water craft includes a seat with at least one arm defining an enclosure with an opening facing away from the seat. An instrument pod has an instrument display side. Guide tracks in the enclosure support the instrument pod for movement between a stored position and a deployed position. In the stored position, the pod is within the enclosed housing with the instrument display side facing away from the enclosure opening and an opposite face of the pod substantially covering the opening. In the deployed position, the pod extends out from the enclosure with the instrument display side substantially horizontal and facing upwardly to display the instruments on top of the pod. A drive, which includes a drive motor inside the pod, is adapted to move the pod along the guide tracks between the stored and deployed positions.

Abstract: An assembly for safely supporting an occupant in a vehicle such as, but not limited to, a watercraft and including a seat assembly and a support frame. A connector assembly is disposed and structured to movably interconnect the seat assembly to said support frame along a first rotational axis. A mount assembly is connected to the vehicle and includes an attachment assembly disposed and structured to movably interconnect the support frame to the mount assembly along a second rotational axis. The support frame and the connector assembly associated therewith as well as the mount assembly and the attachment assembly associated therewith are cooperatively disposed and structured to orient said first and second rotational axes in substantially perpendicular relation to one another, such that the seat assembly will be able to move in a substantially gimbal-like fashion relative to the movement of the vehicle while traveling.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a latching arrangement for securing a cushion or other structure to a mounting location. The latching arrangement includes a female latching element that interlocks with a corresponding male latching element. The female latching element can include a split sleeve that extends along a first axis from a first end to a second end. The female latching element can also include a flange that projects radially outwardly from the first end of the split sleeve. The female latching element can further including an elastic ring that mounts around the split sleeve at a location between the first and second ends of the split sleeve. The male latching element can include a shaft that extends along a second axis from a first end to a second end.

Abstract: A convertible seating arrangement for a sundeck of a boat includes a seating element that is pivotally moveable between a stowed configuration and a seating configuration. The seating element provides a backrest and, in part, forms a seat when in the seating configuration. The seating element lies flush with the sundeck when in the stowed configuration. A sitting surface is positioned under and hidden by the seating element when the seating element is in the stowed configuration. The sitting surface is exposed and, in part, forms the seat when the seating element is moved to the seating configuration.

Abstract: A convertible seating arrangement for a boat including a passenger area having a peripheral region and an interior region. The convertible seating arrangement includes a bench seating portion positioned at the peripheral region of the passenger area, a seating element, and a pivot mount for allowing the seating element to be pivoted relative to the bench seating portion between a first position and a second position. When the seating element is in the first position, the seating element is positioned adjacent to the bench seating portion and is located at the peripheral region of the passenger area. When the seating element is in the second position, the seating element is positioned adjacent to the bench seating portion and is located at the interior region of the passenger area.

Abstract: A reversible seat for a boat or other vehicle includes a base, a seat bottom, and a seat back. The seat bottom, which has a first surface and a second, opposite surface, is pivotally connected to the base such that the seat bottom is capable of rotating at least approximately 180 degrees about the base. The seat back is pivotally connected to the seat bottom on a side of the seat bottom opposite from where the seat bottom is pivotally connected to the base. In a first seat position, the first surface of the seat bottom faces substantially upward and the second surface of the seat bottom faces substantially downward. In a second seat position, the second surface of the seat bottom faces substantially upward and the first surface of the seat bottom faces substantially downward. In each of the first and second seat positions, the seat back extends upward at a predetermined angle relative to the seat bottom.

Abstract: A movable seat and backrest are coupled by a pivoted link system, allowing the seat to pivot from a raised stowed position to a lowered use position. A connecting link is coupled to one of the pivoted seat links, such that, as the seat is lowered, the connecting link raises the backrest. When the seat is raised to a stowed position, the connecting link lowers the backrest to a lowered position. When mounted in a vessel, the backrest forms part of the bolster system when the seat is stowed.

Abstract: A convertible deck arrangement is provided for a boat including a passenger area having a periphery and an interior region within the periphery. A portion of the passenger area includes a deck arrangement area bounded in part by the periphery of the passenger area. The convertible deck arrangement includes: horizontal seating surfaces, positioned at the periphery of the passenger area and within the deck arrangement area; deck elements; and pivot mounts, for allowing the deck elements to be pivoted relative to the horizontal seating surfaces. The deck elements can be pivoted between a first configuration and a second configuration. When the deck elements are in the first configuration, the deck elements are vertically positioned adjacent to a vertical wall below the horizontal seating surfaces and seats are formed within the deck arrangement area.

Abstract: A rowing boat foot support assembly is provided with a support member, a shoe attachment member and a release trigger mechanism. The support member is configured to be coupled to a rowing boat. The shoe attachment member is pivotally supported on the support member. The shoe attachment member includes a base portion and a movable fixing portion that is movably arranged with respect to the base portion between a shoe retaining position and a shoe releasing position. The release trigger mechanism is provided between the support member and the movable fixing portion to move the movable fixing portion from the shoe retaining position to the shoe releasing position.

Abstract: A device that provides support for sailors while hiking from a sailing vessel is disclosed. The device is a hiking strap/watersport boot combination, designed to provide extra grip together. The watersport boot is ergonomically designed to support muscles in the foot that are under strain while hiking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable mounting system for a leaning post for a boat having a pair of side-by-side seat posts. The leaning post is provided with a pair of brackets to which hollow cylindrical support posts can be adjustably mounted. The spacing between the support posts can be adjusted to align with the spacing of a pair of conventional hollow cylindrical side-by-side vertical seat posts. A pair of spaced apart parallel slots in the mounting brackets receive bolts that secure the support posts to the mounting bracket and allow the distance between the support posts to be adjusted to align with the distance between the seat posts.

Abstract: An interchangeable seat system for a water vehicle includes a front seat member, a common base member, at least two rear seat members, and at least two hand grips. One of the at least two rear seat members and one of the at least two hand grips are configured such that a combination of the front seat member, the common base member, the one of the at least two rear seat member and the one of the at least two hand grips provides a two-person seat configuration for the water vehicle, and another one of the at least two rear seat members and another one of the at least two hand grips are configured such that a combination of the front seat member, the common base member, the another one of the at least two rear seat member and the another one of the at least two hand grips provides a three-person seat configuration for the water vehicle.

Abstract: A strap apparatus for holding a foldable boat seat including a seat back pivotally connected to a seat base in a folded down position is provided. The strap apparatus comprises an elongated strap body that is made of a material having a high stretch resistance, a first fastener for attaching the strap body to the seat base, and a second fastener for removably attaching the strap body to the seat back such that when the strap body is attached to the seat back, at least a portion of the strap body extends between the first fastener and the second fastener. Strap adjustment apparatus are associated with the strap body and function to adjust the length of the portion of the strap body that extends between the first fastener and the second fastener when the strap body is attached to the seat back and thereby allow the seat back to be pulled down tight against the seat base. A foldable boat seat and a method of installing a replacement foldable boat seat strap on a foldable boat seat are also provided.

Abstract: A deployable seating platform preferably includes a base configured for attachment to a horizontal surface, such as the underside of a swimming platform on a boat. The base is coupled to a slide and pivot mechanism, which is coupled to a first end of an elongated member, with the second end of the elongated member coupled to a seat. The slide and pivot mechanism allows the elongated member to slide and pivot from a non-deployed position to a deployed position and allows the elongated member to slide and pivot from the deployed position to the non-deployed position. When in the non-deployed position, the deployable seating platform is out of the water and out of the way under the swimming platform. When in the deployed position, the seat of the deployable seating platform is in the water, providing a place for a person to sit in the water.

Abstract: A portable boat lounge and a method of attaching are disclosed. The boat lounge includes a fabric having a length which spans across the beam of the boat. The fabric has a first end, with a pair of first hollow sleeves formed adjacent thereto, and a second end, with a plurality of second hollow sleeves formed adjacent thereto. The boat lounge further includes a pair of brackets each having first and second hooked ends. One of the hooked ends of one of the brackets is sized to slide through one of the first hollow sleeves and be attached to a side of the boat. One of the hooked ends on the other bracket is sized such that it can slide through one of the second hollow sleeves and be attached to an opposite side of the boat such that the fabric is held taut across the beam.

Abstract: A seat mounting assembly is provided for attachment to a transverse bench-style seat of a fishing or Jon-type boat. The seat mounting assembly is quickly and easily attached to the bench-style seat such that the seat mounting assembly allows a seat attached thereto to, both, slide longitudinally to the transverse bench seat and be selectively locked into place, such that the seat cannot move relative to the transverse bench. The unique interface of the base and the rails of the seat mounting assembly helps ensure that the seat mounting assembly will not tip relative to the bench-style seat, while the low profile design of the seat mounting assembly helps keep that center of gravity of a boat to which the seat mounting assembly is installed substantially unchanged.

Abstract: A reversible seat for a boat or other vehicle includes a base, a seat bottom, and a seat back. The seat bottom, which has a first surface and a second, opposite surface, is pivotally connected to the base such that the seat bottom is capable of rotating at least approximately 180 degrees about the base. The seat back is pivotally connected to the seat bottom on a side of the seat bottom opposite from where the seat bottom is pivotally connected to the base. In a first seat position, the first surface of the seat bottom faces substantially upward and the second surface of the seat bottom faces substantially downward. In a second seat position, the second surface of the seat bottom faces substantially upward and the first surface of the seat bottom faces substantially downward. In each of the first and second seat positions, the seat back extends upward at a predetermined angle relative to the seat bottom.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to a chair mount assembly and related kit for retrofitting a bench-style boat seat or thwart. The inventive chair mount assembly kit includes (1) first and second rails; (2) first and second sliders having respective first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion of the first slider section includes a first rail connector and the first end portion of the second slider section includes a second rail connector, and wherein the first rail connector is matingly and slidably engagable to the first rail and the second rail connector is matingly and slidably engagable to the second rail; and (3) an interconnecting base plate adjustably connectable to the second end portions of the first and second sliders and movable together with the first and second sliders back and forth along the first and second rails.

Abstract: A spring stand to minimize impact shock to the back and lower body extremities of a person standing on a surface exposed to vibration and/or intermittent impact forces. The stand includes a spaced-apart upper platform and lower stand support platform with two vertical stabilizer members near each side edge and an array of spaced-apart springs distributed between the upper and lower platforms. The lower platform has three or more spaced-apart footers to rest on the deck of the boat as well as drain holes to drain water that might splash inside the stand between the platform members. The lower platform has vertically upright sides around the perimeter of the lower platform that are partially overlapped by vertical sides depending from the perimeter of the upper platform. The top surface of the upper platform has a non-slip cushioning surface made from a foam and/or rubberized material.

Abstract: A rowing boat footrest assembly includes a footrest member coupled to a boat structure and a shoe retaining mechanism supported to the footrest member. The shoe retaining mechanism includes a permanent magnet mechanism operable between a shoe retaining mode and a shoe releasing mode.

Abstract: A tool storage structure of a saddle-ride type small boat capable of reducing the number of parts while suppressing noise generation. In a saddle-ride type small boat driven by an occupant who straddles the seat formed of a front seat and a rear seat on the boat body, a frame of the rear seat includes an insertion portion to be inserted into the rear lower portion of the front seat. The insertion portion is integrally provided with the tool storage portion for storing tools. The number of parts needed to form the tool storage portion is reduced and noise generation is suppressed.

Abstract: A rowing boat footrest assembly includes a stationary support member and a footrest member. The stationary support member is configured and arranged for coupling to a boat structure with a pivot axis extending through a portion of the stationary support member. The footrest member has a footrest surface coupled to the stationary support member for pivotal movement about the pivot axis. The footrest member is configured and arranged to support a shoe such that with the shoe positioned on the footrest surface the pivot axis extends laterally through the shoe between a sole of the shoe and an upper surface of the shoe.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for a personal watercraft. The seat assembly includes a forward seat portion and a rearward seat portion. The forward seat portion is configured for fixed attachment to a deck of a personal watercraft. The forward seat portion is configured to contact and at least partially support an operator during driving of the personal watercraft. The rearward seat portion is selectively movable by an operator between a driving position and a fishing position. In the driving position, the rearward seat portion is adjacent to the forward seat portion. In the fishing position, the rearward seat portion is spaced from the forward seat portion. A personal watercraft including such a seat assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable mounting system for a leaning post for a boat having a pair of side-by-side seat posts. The leaning post is provided with a pair of brackets to which hollow cylindrical support posts can be adjustably mounted. The spacing between the support posts can be adjusted to align with the spacing of a pair of conventional hollow cylindrical side-by-side vertical seat posts. A pair of spaced apart parallel slots in the mounting brackets receive bolts that secure the support posts to the mounting bracket and allow the distance between the support posts to be adjusted to align with the distance between the seat posts.

Abstract: A personal support system for persons in the cockpit of a nautical vessel is disclosed. The system includes a personal support device that releasably engages a nautical winch located near the cockpit to provide support or securing for the back or other parts of the body of a person seated, standing, or otherwise located in the cockpit. The system also includes a winch-substitute device that attaches to the vessel and releasably engages the personal support device, allowing use of the personal support device in locations in the cockpit that are not near a winch.

Abstract: A rowing boat footrest assembly includes a stationary footrest surface coupled to a boat structure, a first shoe attachment portion and a second shoe attachment portion. The first shoe attachment portion is supported to the footrest surface for releasably retaining a first shoe for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis relative to the footrest surface. The second shoe attachment portion is supported to the footrest surface for releasably retaining a second shoe for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis relative to the footrest surface. The first pivot axis and second pivot axis are co-planar and angularly offset from one another.

Abstract: A shock absorbing boat seat pedestal having two telescoping tubes located between a boat seat and a boat base. Within the tubes is a coil spring mounted over a shock absorber.

Abstract: A twin-hulled, single-person, collapsible boat, has a pair of open, canoe-shaped hulls; a removable, collapsible frame connecting the hulls together; and a removable, one-person seat assembly connected to the frame between the hulls.

Abstract: A personal watercraft (PWC) is disclosed that is convertible between a stand-up type watercraft, and at least one of a straddle-type watercraft, a sit-down type watercraft or a kart-type position watercraft. The PWC includes a hull supporting a power source, and a deck, the deck supporting a steering handle support assembly. A kart-type seat assembly is removably supported by the deck, such that the seat assembly can be selectively removed by the user so that the personal watercraft can be operated with and without the kart-type seat assembly.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in boats. The seat assembly includes a pair of seating platforms with a reclining seat back and a sliding seat bottom. A removable section is inserted between the seat bottom and the seat back to create a long recliner. A central panel and pad are set between the seating platforms to create a large surface area sunpad. The seating platforms are hollow to allow for storage of the central panels and pads and the removable sections.

Abstract: A seat with a backrest with an adjustable height is disclosed. The seating arrangement comprises an extension portion and a base portion separated by a fold line. Further, the seating arrangement has at least two positions; a first position, where the extension portion extends upwardly, and a second position where the extension portion is folded downwardly. The seating arrangement can be used in many applications, including the use of canoes and kayaks. The seating arrangement may also include a seat or bottom portion.

Abstract: A shock absorbing boat seat pedestal having two telescoping tubes located between a boat seat and a boat base. Within the tubes is a coil spring mounted over a shock absorber.

Abstract: A seat for a watercraft having a hull with a hull bottom having a first contoured shape. The seat includes a base having a second contoured shape that is operable to be slidably engaged with the first contoured shape of the hull bottom. The seat is operable to slide in forward and aft directions within the hull, and the seat and the base can be removed from the hull.

Abstract: A personal watercraft is disclosed having a straddle-type seat. The seat is pivotally connected to the deck via a pivotal connection and pivotable with respect to the deck between a raised position and a lowered position. The pivotal connection has first and second links. The seat is pivotally connected to the first and second links and is pivotable with respect thereto about respective first and second axes. The first and second axes are movable with respect to the deck. When the seat is in the raised position, the seat permits access to the engine via an aperture in the deck. When the seat is in the lowered position, the seat covers the aperture in the deck and prevents access to the engine.

Abstract: A frame assembly forming a portion of a rowing accessory is to be mounted within a watercraft, to which frame assembly is attached a seat and oars. The frame assembly comprises first and second frame members each having the general shape of a winged U. First and second wing portions of each frame member extend outwardly from upper ends of the frame members. A track assembly has a beam attached to lower portions of the frame members at spaced apart connection points along the length of the beam. A seat assembly attaches to and slides along the beam. First and second hinge plates each have a first end attached at an outboard end of one wing portion of the first frame member, and a second end attached at an outboard end of one wing portion of the second frame member.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for a personal watercraft. The seat assembly includes a forward seat portion and a rearward seat portion. The forward seat portion is configured for fixed attachment to a deck of a personal watercraft. The forward seat portion is configured to contact and at least partially support an operator during driving of the personal watercraft. The rearward seat portion is selectively movable by an operator between a driving position and a fishing position. In the driving position, the rearward seat portion is adjacent to the forward seat portion. In the fishing position, the rearward seat portion is spaced from the forward seat portion. A personal watercraft including such a seat assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A seat slider assembly is disclosed. The slider seat includes a seat mount and a first slider guide extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the seat mount. A second slider guide extends from the surface of the seat mount at a position distally located from the perimeter of the seat mount. A slider plate to which a vehicle seat can be mounted includes a first channel for slidably engaging the first slider guide and a second channel for slidably engaging the second slider guide such that the slider plate is slidable between a first position and a second position relative to the seat mount. A locking lever is movably coupled to the slider plate and includes a locking structure to prevent the slider plate from moving relative to the seat mount. A control member operatively coupled to the locking lever to cause the locking lever to move toward an unlocked position wherein the locking structure allows the slider plate to move relative to the seat mount.

Abstract: A seat for mounting to a platform of a boat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure has a lid contoured to receive a person sitting on the lid and a lower housing having a cavity, the lower housing hingedly coupled to the lid and having contours substantially similar to the shape of the lid.

Abstract: A rowing shoe system for use by a rower in a racing boat has a footboard adapted to be secured in a boat, a pair of shoe liners and a pair of shoe shells. The pair of shoe liners are sized to receive the feet of a rower, are made out of anti-microbial material, and have a flexible exterior surface and a flexible interior surface configured to fit over substantially the entire foot of the rower. The pair of shoe shells are detachably securable to the footboard in a rowing position and have an interior sized to receive the flexible shoe liners. The shoe shells have openings therein to ventilate the rower's feet, and the shoe liners are removable from the shoe shells. The rowing shoe system may include a plurality of pairs of shoe liners of different foot sizes.

Abstract: A series of channels formed in the bow portion of the deck create both a series of wave breakers and a plurality of footrests inside the passenger compartment of this sit-in kayak. The kayak is integrally molded in a single piece and has a contoured seat with a downwardly sloping, rearwardly directed portion. A combination of the footrests and the downwardly sloping, rearwardly directed portion increases leverage available during paddling.

Abstract: A stowable ladder for a boat deck, including a base plate securable to the underside of a boat, a rotary plate secured for pivoting about an axis relative to the base plate (with the axis being generally vertical when the base plate is secured to a boat underside), a bracket on the underside of the rotary plate, and a swim ladder secured to the bracket. The ladder is movable relative to the bracket between a stowed position generally parallel to the rotary plate and a usable position depending downwardly therefrom in a generally vertical position. A latch secures the rotary plate relative to the base plate whereby the ladder in the stowed position extends generally transverse to the keel of the boat when secured thereto, and pivots between about 60° to 120° relative to the base plate when moving between the stowed position and the usable position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stackable platform for a boat deck which can be placed between a helm of a boat deck and a seat on a boat deck. The platform is for allowing a user to stand on the platform. There is an optional shock absorbing element coupled to the platform as well. There is a base, a platform that can be attached to the base and an optional additional platform such as an intermediate platform.

Abstract: A sea perch apparatus includes a platform configured to be located between a pair of spaced-apart sea perch support members located along a side or end of a boat. The platform is designed to be elevated so as to be in an upright position between the sea perch support members and lowered so as to be in a horizontal lower position near a waterline in which the boat is flowing when in the water. The platform serves as a guardrail between the sea perch support members, and when the platform is in the lower position, it serves as a swimming dock, tanning deck and further serves to facilitate easier embarking and disembarking to and from another boat. The platform is transformable into a seat when upright with arm rest. When upright, it is locked in place on either side of the upper side of the platform.

Abstract: A boat comprising an assembled modular seat formed from two individual, modular seating components. Each seating component includes a base and a seating frame secured thereto. The seating frame further includes a front wall, a back wall, and a connecting structure extending therebetween. The connecting structure forms a void or depression extending substantially entirely between the front wall and the back wall of the seating frame. Extending from the front wall to the back wall and across the depression formed by the connecting structure is a layer of tightly stretched, resiliently extensible fabric support material. The support material, which may be attached directly to the seating frame, can then be covered by cushioning material and/or a final covering, such as foam and/or vinyl, respectively, to form the final seating surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a floating leisure platform with a heating device (A) for food and a seating facility (14) for one or several people.

Abstract: A convertible table system for providing a table and then being convertible to a seat on a boat includes a pedestal being mounted to and extending upwardly from a deck of the boat. A conversion assembly is mounted to the pedestal to position the conversion assembly above the deck. The conversion assembly is actuatable between a table position and a chair position.

Abstract: An apparatus for mitigating the effects of shock loading on occupants, cargo and gear the apparatus located in a watercraft the apparatus having a deck positioned and arranged in said watercraft for supporting thereon said occupants, cargo and gear, a hinge communicating with said deck and said watercraft and supporting the forwardly portion of said deck and permitting said deck to move and rotate about said hinge and prevent said deck from substantial side to side movement, a dampener communicating with said deck and said hull of said watercraft the dampener positioned and arranged to move in response to said moving and rotating deck and said dampener absorbing at least a portion of the energy of said moving deck as said deck moves and rotates, and a spring communicating with said deck and said hull of said watercraft the spring positioned and arranged to support the rearwardly portion on said deck and to move in response to said moving and rotating deck the spring absorbing at lease a portion of the energy

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decomposing a set of complementary color signals that form a color enhanced image into four or five color maps of an image, for storing said four or five color maps on a sheet of black and white film, and for reconstructing color images from the black and white film images. An image that has been color enhanced in selected regions with color added to depict a variable characteristic that is color independent so that changes in that chracteristic can be determined is decomposed into four or five color constituent maps. The decomposition is performed on an image that is presented electronically as three complementary color bytes, or analog equivalents thereof, for each pixel with the value encoded in each byte being the intensity of that complementary color at that pixel of the image. Also disclosed is the storing on black and white film the constituent parts of a composite color image having a plurality of parts, e.g. four or five colors.