US20080045098A1

US20080045098A1 - Watercrafts

Info

Publication number: US20080045098A1
Application number: US11/891,406
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey Edmundson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-10
Filing date: 2007-08-10
Publication date: 2008-02-21

Abstract

A watercraft configured to be towed on a body of water by a motorized water vehicle and configured to support a user when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water is disclosed. In some embodiments, the watercraft may include a plurality of spaced elongate rails connected to the bottom portion of the elongate base, wherein the plurality of spaced elongate rails are configured to allow the user to selectively steer the watercraft by moving a center of mass closer to one of the plurality of spaced elongate rails relative to the other of the plurality of spaced elongate rails. In some embodiments, the watercraft may include first and second wings connected to the base assembly and configured to stabilize the watercraft when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water by the motorized water vehicle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/837,371 entitled “Watercrafts,” filed Aug. 10, 2006; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/846,506 entitled “Watercrafts,” filed Sep. 22, 2006. The complete disclosures of both applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Several water surface sports involve having the participant towed on one or more bodies of water by and/or behind one or more boats (and/or other motorized water vehicles), such as rivers, lakes, surfs, and bays. Those sports may be referred to as “tow behind water sports” and may include many variations. For example, water skiing involves attaching a water ski on each foot or attaching a single water ski on both feet and being towed behind a boat. In water skiing, the participant may control his or her direction by transferring the weight distribution between the skis or between portions of the single ski. A variation of water skiing is barefoot skiing in which the participant simply uses his or her feet to balance on the water surface instead of using one or more skis.
Another example of a tow behind water sport is wakeboarding. Wakeboarding involves the participant standing on a wakeboard with his or her feet attached to the board via bindings. A variation of wakeboarding is wakeskating. Wakeskating involves the participant standing on a wakeskate, which is similar to a wakeboard but without bindings. Still another example is kneeboarding, which involves the participant sitting on his or her heels on a board. Other examples of tow behind water sports exist, which may involve other variations of the above, and are included within the scope of the disclosure.
Although water surface sports can be exciting and thrilling, those sports typically require a lot of physical effort on the part of the participants. Because of the effort required, less athletic people may choose not to engage in tow behind water sports or may participate but become unable to continue after only a short period of time. Those people may increase their athleticism by strength training and aerobic exercise. Alternatively, they may select watercrafts that require less physical effort to maneuver and balance on the water surface.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments provide a watercraft configured to be towed on a body of water by a motorized water vehicle and configured to support a user when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water, the user having a back and a center of mass. The watercraft may include a base assembly including an elongate base having a top portion and a bottom portion,.the top portion being configured to at least partially support the user in a seated position and the bottom portion being configured to contact the body of water; a seat assembly connected to the top portion of the elongate base and configured to support the back of the user when the user is in the seated position on the top portion of the elongate base; and a plurality of spaced elongate rails connected to the bottom portion of the elongate base, wherein the plurality of spaced elongate rails are configured to allow the user to selectively steer the watercraft by moving the center of mass closer to one of the plurality of spaced elongate rails relative to the other of the plurality of spaced elongate rails.
In some embodiments, the watercraft may include a base assembly including an elongate base having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being configured to at least partially support the user in a seated position and the bottom portion being configured to contact the body of water; a seat assembly connected to the top portion of the base and configured to support the back of the user when the user is in a seated position on the top portion of the elongate base; and first and second wings connected to the base assembly and configured to stabilize the watercraft when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water by the motorized water vehicle.
In some embodiments, the watercraft may include a base assembly including an elongate base having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being configured to at least partially support the user in a seated position and the bottom portion being configured to contact the body of water and including a front portion and a rear portion spaced from the front portion; a seat assembly connected to the top portion of the base and including a back support configured to support the back of the user when the user is in the seated position on the top portion of the base assembly; first and second wings connected to the base assembly and configured to stabilize the watercraft when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water by the motorized water vehicle; and first and second spaced elongate rails connected to the bottom portion of the elongate base, wherein the first and second spaced elongate rails extend from adjacent the front portion to adjacent the rear portion, and wherein a distance between the first and second spaced elongate rails is greater when measured adjacent the front portion than when measured adjacent the rear portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of some embodiments of a watercraft
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the watercraft of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the watercraft of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the watercraft of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the watercraft of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the watercraft of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 a is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a fin of the watercraft of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 b is a front view of the alternative embodiment of the fin of FIG. 6 a.
FIGS. 6 c-6 f are additional views of the alternative embodiment of the fin of FIG. 6 a.
FIG. 7 is a partial schematic sectional view of the watercraft of FIG. 2 taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 2 shown without walls and wings to demonstrate how the watercraft may be steered by a user by moving the center of mass of the user.
FIG. 8 is a top partial view of the watercraft of FIG. 2 showing an attachment assembly.
FIG. 9 is a side partial view of the watercraft of FIG. 2 showing the attachment assembly of FIG. 8.
FIGS. 10-29 are various views of still another embodiment of the watercraft of FIG. 1.
FIG. 30 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the watercraft of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 31-34 are schematic views of a further embodiment of the watercraft of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 shows some embodiments of a watercraft 40. The watercraft may be configured to be towed on a body of water by and/or behind a boat and/or other motorized vehicle, and/or may be configured to support a user while being towed on the body of water. The watercraft may also be referred to as a watersled and may be made of any suitable materials. For example, watercraft 40 may at least partially be made of wood.
Alternatively, or additionally, the watercraft may at least partially be made of plastic, metal, and/or other suitable materials. For example, watercraft 40 may at least partially be made of acrylic and/or one or more other transparent materials to allow a user to at least partially view the water below the watercraft. Additionally, or alternatively, watercraft 40 may at least partially be made of one or more inflatable chambers. Alternatively, or additionally, the watercraft may include at least one base that is made of one or more rigid materials, such as plastic, with one or more inflatable chambers attached to the base.
Watercraft 40 may include any suitable structure configured to allow one or more users, while being towed on a body of water by and/or behind a boat and/or other motorized water vehicle, to balance along a water surface and/or control a direction of travel while being in a seated position. For example, the watercraft may include a base or body assembly 42, a seat assembly 44, a foot support assembly 46, and a steering assembly 48.
The base or body assembly may include any suitable structure configured to support one or more users. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-6, the body assembly may include a base or body 49 and one or more walls 50. The body may include a top portion 51 and a bottom portion 52. The top portion may be configured to support at least a portion of a user, and the bottom portion may be configured to contact the body of water.
Top portion 51 may include a front portion 53 and a rear portion 54 that may be spaced from front portion 53, while the bottom portion may include a front portion 55 and a rear portion 56 that may be spaced from front portion 55. The body may be any suitable shape or combination of shapes. For example, the body may have an elongate shape. When the base or the body has an elongate shape, it may be referred to as an elongate base or an elongate body. Alternatively, the body may have an elongate wedge shape, such as one that tapers from front portions 53, 55 towards rear portions 54, 56.
Additionally, or alternatively, the body may include generally convex front portions 53, 55 and generally concave rear portions 54, 56. The front portions and/or rear portions may additionally, or alternatively, be inclined upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4. Although front portions 53, 55 are shown to have the same size and shape, the front portions may have different sizes and/or shapes. Additionally, although rear portions 54, 56 are shown to have the same size and shape, the rear portions may have different sizes and/or shapes.
Additionally, or alternatively, the rear portion may include one or more notches 58, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. Notches 58 may provide an outlet for channeled water from the bottom portion of body 49, such as when the watercraft is being towed by the motorized water vehicle on the body of water. The notch may be any suitable shape(s), such as generally U-shaped and/or V-shaped notches, and/or may be any suitable size(s). Although particular shape(s) are discussed, the body and/or notch may include any suitable shape(s).
Body 49 may be any suitable size. For example, a length of the body from the front portion to the rear portion may be about 85 inches. Additionally, or alternatively, a width of the body at the front portion may be about 27.5 inches, while a width of the body at the rear portion may be about 14.5 inches. The size of the body may vary depending on the intended users and/or other factors. Although a particular length and particular widths are discussed, body 49 may have any suitable length(s) and/or width(s). For example, body 49 may have different length(s) and/or widths to accommodate users of different weights and/or heights.
One or more walls 50 may be connected to the top portion of body 49. The walls may be any suitable size(s) and/or shape(s) such that at least a portion of the walls and at least a portion of the body provides for a user area 60. For example, walls 50 may have an elongate shape that may run a substantial portion of the length of body 49, as shown in FIG. 4.
Although walls 50 are shown to have a specific size and a specific shape, one or more of the walls may have any suitable size(s) and/or shape(s) such that at least a portion of the walls and at least a portion of the body provides for user area 60. For example, one or more walls 50 may run more or less of a substantial portion of the length of the body. Additionally, although walls 50 are shown to be discrete elements connected to body 49, the body and one or more of the walls may at least substantially be formed from a unitary structure. For example, the walls may be incorporated into the body such that, for example, there may be a stepped transition from the body to at least one wing. Moreover, although body assembly 42 is shown to include body 49 and walls 50, the body assembly may include any suitable structure configured to support one or more users.
Seat assembly 44 may include any suitable structure configured to at least partially support one or more users in a seated position on any suitable portion(s) of the body assembly, such as the top portion of the body. For example, seat assembly 44 may include at least one back support 62, which may be connected to body 49 and/or walls 50, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The back support may be any suitable shape(s) and size(s) configured to accommodate or support at least a back of the user, such as when the user is in the seated position on the top portion of the body. The back support may include one or more cushioning pads (not shown) configured to cushion the back of and/or provide lumbar support for the user.
The seat assembly may be connected to any suitable portion(s) of the body assembly. For example, the seat assembly may be connected to the top portion of the body. Although seat assembly 44 is shown to be connected to the top portion of the body, the seat assembly may alternatively, or additionally, be connected to other portion(s) of the body assembly, such as the one or more walls.
Seat assembly 44 may include at least one seat adjustment mechanism (not shown), which may include any suitable structure configured to allow selective adjustment of back support 62 to accommodate different users. For example, the seat adjustment mechanism may include sliding and/or pivoting connections configured to allow the back support to be selectively moved towards front portion 53 and/or towards rear portion 54.
Although seat assembly 44 is shown to include a single back support, the seat assembly may include two or more back supports. For example, a second back support may be positioned closer to front portion 53, or closer to rear portion 54, to provide for a second user. Additionally, although back support 62 is shown to be connected to body 49 and walls 50, the back support may be connected to only the body or only one or more of the walls. Moreover, although back support 62 is shown to be a discrete element, the back support may at least substantially be formed as a unitary piece with, for example, the body and/or walls. Furthermore, although seat assembly 44 is shown to include a back support 62, any suitable structure configured to at least partially support a user while using the watercraft may be used. For example, seat assembly 44 may include a bench (such as similar to central benches used in Yamaha® Waverunners™ and Kawasaki® JetSkis™).
Foot support assembly 46 may include any suitable structure configured to support one or more feet of the user(s). For example, foot support assembly 46 may include at least one footboard 64 connected to walls 50, as shown in FIG. 2. The footboard may be spaced from body 49 to allow the user to “hook” his or her feet to the watercraft, which may prevent the user from leaving the watercraft when being towed on a body of water by and/or behind by a boat and/or motorized water vehicle(s). Footboard 64 may be any suitable size(s) and/or shape(s) to accommodate one or more feet of the user(s).
The foot support assembly may include at least one foot support adjustment mechanism (not shown), which may include any suitable structure configured to allow selective adjustment of the footboard to accommodate a variety of users. For example, the foot support adjustment mechanism may include pivoting and/or sliding connections configured to allow movement of the footboard towards front portion 53 and/or towards rear portion 54.
Although only a single footboard 64 is shown, the watercraft may include two or more footboards 64 to accommodate two or more users. Additionally, although footboard 64 is shown to be a discrete element(s), the footboard may at least substantially be formed as a unitary piece with, for example, the walls and/or the body. For example, the footboard may be incorporated with the body and/or other component(s) of the watercraft. Moreover, although foot support assembly 46 is shown to include footboard 64, the foot support assembly may include any suitable structure configured to support one or more feet of the user(s). For example, foot support assembly 46 may include discrete foot support members (such as strap-on foot bindings, etc.) and/or other suitable structure.
Steering assembly 48 may include any suitable structure configured to provide lift and/or allow a user to selectively steer the watercraft. For example, steering assembly 48 may include a plurality of rails 66 connected to bottom portion 52 of body 49, as shown in FIGS. 3-4. The rails may be any suitable size(s) and shape(s). For example, rails 66 may be elongate linear flat panels that may run or extend at least a substantial portion of the length of body 49. For example, the rails may extend from adjacent front portion 55 to adjacent rear portion 56 of bottom portion 52.
Although rails 66 are shown to be elongate flat panels, one or more of the rails may include any suitable shape(s). For example, the rails may have an elongate triangular prism shape, a convex shape, a concave shape, and/or other suitable shapes. Additionally, although rails 66 are shown to be linear, one or more of the rails may be at least partially non-linear. For example, at least a portion of one or more of rails 66 may be curved or arcuate. Moreover, although rails 66 are shown to be of consistent width, the rails may alternatively, or additionally, have non-consistent widths, such as graduated or tiered widths.
Furthermore, although rails 66 are shown to run or extend along at least a substantial portion of the length of the body, one or more of the rails may run or extend along any suitable portion of the length of the body. Additionally, although two rails 66 are shown, more or less rails may be connected to body 49. Moreover, although rails 66 are shown to be discrete elements, the rails may at least substantially be formed with, for example, the body as a unitary structure.
The rails may be positioned on the bottom portion of the body in any suitable way(s). For example, rails 66 may be spaced from each other. Additionally, or alternatively, rails 66 may be positioned such that a distance between the rails is greater when measured adjacent front portion 55 than when measured adjacent rear portion 56 of bottom portion 52, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, or additionally, at least a substantial portion of the rails may converge as those rails extend from adjacent front portion 55 to adjacent rear portion 56 of the bottom portion. In some embodiments, rails with that positioning on the body may be referred to as diverging rails (rear to front perspective) or converging rails (front to rear perspective). In some embodiments, the diverging rails may provide or create lift to the watercraft as water is funneled and/or directed to the rear portions of the watercraft.
The diverging rails may additionally, or alternatively, allow a user to turn or steer the watercraft by moving his or her center of mass 100 closer to one or more of the rails relative to the other rails, such as by leaning toward one or more of the rails. The center of mass may be a specific point at which the user's mass may behave as if it was concentrated.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the user may move his or her center of mass to location 100A, which may position the center of mass closer to first rail 66A relative to second rail 66B and may cause the watercraft to move in a first direction. Alternatively, the user may move his or her center of mass to location 100B, which may position the center of mass closer to second rail 66B relative to first rail 66A and may cause the watercraft to move in a second direction that may be different from the first direction. The center of mass 100 and positions 100A and 100B shown in FIG. 7 are only for illustrative purposes to demonstrate how the center of mass may move closer or farther one of the rails relative to the other, and may not represent the location of the center of the mass of the user when the user is in the seated position in the user area.
Although rails 66 are shown to be positioned as diverging rails, the rails may alternatively, or additionally, be positioned in any suitable way, such as converging (front to rear perspective) and/or straight rails. Additionally, although rails 66 are shown to be positioned on an outer perimeter of bottom portion 52 of body 49, the rails may be positioned on any suitable area(s) of the bottom portion. For example, one or more of the rails may be positioned apart from the outer perimeter.
Moreover, although steering assembly 48 is shown to include rails 66, the steering assembly may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable structure configured to provide lift and/or allow steering of the watercraft. For example, the steering assembly may include one or more controllable or steerable rudders operatively connected to the bottom portion of the watercraft. The steerable rudders may be positioned in any suitable area(s) of the bottom portion. For example, the steerable rudders may be located in a center rear area of the bottom portion. The steerable rudders may be controlled by any suitable structure(s) of the watercraft. For example, the foot support assembly may be configured to steer one or more of those rudders.
The watercraft also may include a stabilizing assembly 68, which may include any suitable structure configured to stabilize or reduce tip-over of the watercraft and/or assist in steering when, for example, the watercraft is being towed on the body of water by the motorized water vehicle. For example, the stabilizing assembly may include wings 70, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. The wings may be connected to one or more of walls 50 and may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). For example, the wings may have an elongate shape and may have a length about one-half to two-thirds the length of the body.
Although wings 70 are shown to include a specific shape and size, the wings may include any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). For example, the wings may be shorter and extend more in the lateral direction from the walls. Additionally, although stabilizing assembly 68 is shown to include two wings 70 (such as first and second wings) are shown, the stabilizing assembly may include any suitable number of wings 70.
Stabilizing assembly 68 may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more fins 72, which may include any suitable structure configured to stabilize and/or assist in turning or steering the watercraft, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5-6. The fins may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). For example, fins 72 may be generally L-shaped and have a first portion 74 and a second portion 76. The first portion may be attached to any suitable portion(s) of the body assembly and/or the wings. The second portion may have any suitable angle from the first portion and/or may be positioned at any suitable angle relative to the first portion.
For example, the second portion may be 90-110 degrees, or any suitable degrees from the first portion. In some embodiments, the angle between the first and second portions of one or more of the fins may be adjustable to create differing performance characteristics, such as from “easy cruising” to “aggressive carving and turning.” In some embodiments, fins 72 may include a third portion 77, as generally indicated at 72′ in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b and further shown in FIGS. 6 c-6 f. The third portion may be perpendicular to the second portion and may further stabilize and/or smooth the ride of the watercraft. In those embodiments, the fin may be referred to as a “hydrofoil” or a “lifting fin.”
The fins may be positioned on any suitable area(s) of the watercraft. For example, fins may be connected to at least one of the rails adjacent the bottom portion of the body and/or at least one of the wings, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, or additionally, the fins may be connected to the bottom portion of the body, such as on rear portion 56 and/or front portion 55. The fins may be made of any suitable material(s), such as metal and/or plastic. In some embodiments, the position of one or more of the fins may be adjustable to create differing performance characteristics, such as from “easy cruising” to “aggressive carving and turning.”
Although fins 72 are shown to be generally L-shaped, the fins may include any suitable shape(s). For example, fins 72 may include hydrofoils and/or other suitable structure. Additionally, although fins 72 are shown to be positioned on specific portions of the rails 66 and wings 70, the fins may be positioned on any suitable area(s) on the rails, body, and/or wings.
The stabilizing assembly may additionally, or alternatively, include a fin adjustment mechanism (not shown), which may include any suitable structure configured to adjust the angle between the first and second portions and/or the position of one or more of the fins. The fin adjustment mechanism may include one or more fin adjustment members (not shown), which may be located in any suitable area(s) of the watercraft. For example, the fin adjustment members may be within or adjacent the user area to allow a user to adjust the fins when using the watercraft, such as when the user is in a seated position on the top portion of the body. Alternatively, or additionally, the adjustment members may be located adjacent the fins on the bottom portion of the watercraft.
Although stabilizing assembly 68 is shown to include four fins, the stabilizing assembly may include more or less fins. Additionally, although stabilizing assembly 68 is shown to include wings 70 and fins 72, the stabilizing assembly may include any suitable structure configured to stabilize and/or assist in turning the watercraft. In some embodiments, the stabilizing assembly may include only wings 70 or only fins 72.
In some embodiments, watercraft 40 also may include one or more turbulence structures (not shown) on bottom portion 52 of the body, which may include any suitable structure configured to reduce surface tension on the bottom portion during use of the watercraft. For example, the turbulence structures may include bumps, protuberances, and/or irregularities on the bottom portion. The turbulence structures may be connected to the bottom portion and/or may at least substantially be formed with the bottom portion of the body.
In some embodiments, watercraft 40 may additionally, or alternatively, include an attachment assembly 78, which may include any suitable structure configured to connect at least the body assembly to at least one connector 102, such as a rope, from the motorized water vehicle. For example, the attachment assembly may include a brace 80 and a connector receiver 82, as shown in FIGS. 8-9. The brace may be connected to body assembly 42, such as to walls 50. The connector receiver may include any suitable structure configured to receive the connector from the motorized water vehicle and/or may be movably connected to the brace. For example, connector receiver 82 may include a pulley. The pulley may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be configured to receive an end of the connector, while the second portion may be slidingly connected to the brace.
The pulley may include an adjustment mechanism to allow the user to select one or more properties of how the second portion interacts with the brace. For example, the adjustment mechanism may allow the user to select the range of movement of the second portion on the brace (including no movement), the resistance of the second portion to movement on the brace, and/or other properties. In some embodiments, the second portion of the pulley may be selectively detachable from and selectively attachable to the brace to allow a user to either grasp the rope or attach the rope to the watercraft.
Although connector receiver 82 is shown to include a pulley, the connector receiver may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable structure configured to receive the connector and/or be movably connected to the brace. Additionally, although watercraft is shown to include body assembly 42, seat assembly 44, foot support assembly 46, and steering assembly 48 that are discrete assemblies, one or more assemblies (and/or one or more components of those assemblies) may be incorporated with the other assemblies. Moreover, although watercraft 40 is shown to include specific structure, the watercraft may include any suitable structure configured to allow one or more users, while being towed behind a boat and/or other motorized water vehicles, to balance along a water surface and/or control a direction of travel while being in a seated position.
Other embodiments of watercraft 40 are shown in FIGS. 10-29. Unless otherwise indicated, the watercraft may have at least some of the components of the watercraft discussed above. The watercraft shown in FIGS. 10-29 may substantially be made of wood. The wings, rails, seat, fins, and footboard may be connected to the body via fasteners, such as nails and/or screws.
Other embodiments of watercraft 40 are shown in FIG. 30. Unless otherwise indicated, the watercraft may have at least some of the components of the watercrafts discussed above. The watercraft shown in FIG. 30 also may substantially be made of wood. Similar to the previous embodiments, wings, rails, seat, and fins may be connected to the body via fasteners, such as nails and/or screws. The fins may be made of metal. The seat assembly also may include a cushioning pad to cushion the back of the user. The foot support assembly may include two foot support members slidingly connected to the walls of the watercraft configured to allow selective adjustment of the foot support members to accommodate users of different heights.
Other embodiments of watercraft 40 are shown in FIGS. 31-34. Unless otherwise indicated, the watercraft may have at least some of the components of the watercrafts discussed above. Unlike the other embodiments, the watercraft shown in FIGS. 31-34 may at least substantially be formed from a unitary structure. The watercraft may be any suitable plastic and may at least substantially be formed using any suitable molding technique(s), such as rotational or roto molding. The seat assembly may include a seat and a cushioning pad, while the foot support assembly may include foot support members or foot rests that may be adjustable.
Although watercraft 40 is configured to be towed by and/or behind one or more motorized water vehicles, the watercraft may additionally, or alternatively, be towed behind by other means, such as one or more motorized water objects, one or more non-motorized water vehicles (or objects), one or more motorized air vehicles (or objects), one or more non-motorized air vehicles (or objects), one or more motorized land vehicles (or objects), one or more non-motorized land vehicles (or objects), etc. For example, watercraft 40 may be configured to be towed by one or more kites (such as one or more power kites). Alternatively, or additionally, the watercraft may be configured to be towed by one or more sailboats (or other vehicles or objects with one or more sails). Additionally, although watercraft 40 is configured to be towed behind, the watercraft may be configured to be self-propelling or otherwise able to move along a water surface without being towed behind. For example, watercraft 40 may include one or more sails, one or more motorized propellers, one or more motorized tracks, etc.
The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A watercraft configured to be towed on a body of water by a motorized water vehicle and configured to support a user when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water, the user having a back and a center of mass, comprising:

a base assembly including an elongate base having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being configured to at least partially support the user in a seated position and the bottom portion being configured to contact the body of water;

a seat assembly connected to the top portion of the elongate base and configured to support the back of the user when the user is in the seated position on the top portion of the elongate base; and

a plurality of spaced elongate rails connected to the bottom portion of the elongate base, wherein the plurality of spaced elongate rails are configured to allow the user to selectively steer the watercraft by moving the center of mass closer to one of the plurality of spaced elongate rails relative to the other of the plurality of spaced elongate rails.

2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the base includes a front portion and a rear portion spaced from the front portion, and the plurality of spaced elongate rails extend from adjacent the front portion to adjacent the rear portion.

3. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein at least a substantial portion of the plurality of spaced elongate rails converge as those rails extend from adjacent the front portion to adjacent the rear portion.

4. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein the plurality of spaced elongate rails includes a first elongate rail and a second elongate rail.

5. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein a distance between the first and second elongate rails is greater when measured adjacent the front portion than when measured adjacent the rear portion.

6. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein the rear portion includes at least one notch configured to provide an outlet for channeled water from the bottom portion of the base when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water by the motorized water vehicle.

7. The watercraft of claim 6, wherein the at least one notch is generally U-shaped.

8. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising one or more fins connected to at least one of the plurality of spaced elongate rails.

9. The watercraft of claim 8, wherein the one or more fins includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion is attached to the at least one of the plurality of spaced elongate rails and the second portion is positioned 90 degrees relative to the first portion.

10. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising first and second wings connected to the base assembly and configured to stabilize the watercraft when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water by the motorized water vehicle.

11. The watercraft of claim 10, further comprising one or more fins connected to at least one of the first and second wings.

12. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising an attachment assembly configured to connect the base assembly to at least one connector from the motorized water vehicle.

13. The watercraft of claim 12, wherein the attachment assembly includes a brace and a pulley that is configured to receive the at least one connector from the motorized water vehicle.

14. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein at least the base assembly is at least substantially formed from a unitary structure.

15. A watercraft configured to be towed on a body of water by a motorized water vehicle and configured to support a user when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water, the user having a back and a center of mass, comprising:

a seat assembly connected to the top portion of the base and configured to support the back of the user when the user is in a seated position on the top portion of the elongate base; and

first and second wings connected to the base assembly and configured to stabilize the watercraft when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water by the motorized water vehicle.

16. The watercraft of claim 15, wherein the base assembly further includes one or more walls connected to the elongate base.

17. The watercraft of claim 16, wherein the first and second wings are connected to the one or more walls.

18. The watercraft of claim 15, further comprising first and second spaced elongate rails connected to the bottom portion of the elongate base, wherein the first and second spaced elongate rails are configured to allow the user to selectively steer the watercraft by moving the center of mass closer to one of the first and second spaced elongate rails relative to the other of the first and second spaced elongate rails.

19. A watercraft configured to be towed on a body of water by a motorized water vehicle and configured to support a user when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water, the user having a back and a center of mass, comprising:

a base assembly including an elongate base having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being configured to at least partially support the user in a seated position and the bottom portion being configured to contact the body of water and including a front portion and a rear portion spaced from the front portion;

a seat assembly connected to the top portion of the base and including a back support configured to support the back of the user when the user is in the seated position on the top portion of the base assembly;

first and second wings connected to the base assembly and configured to stabilize the watercraft when the watercraft is being towed on the body of water by the motorized water vehicle; and

first and second spaced elongate rails connected to the bottom portion of the elongate base, wherein the first and second spaced elongate rails extend from adjacent the front portion to adjacent the rear portion, and wherein a distance between the first and second spaced elongate rails is greater when measured adjacent the front portion than when measured adjacent the rear portion.

20. The watercraft of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first and second spaced elongate rails and the first and second wings includes one or more fins.