AU2002325090B2

AU2002325090B2 - Marine pleasure craft

Info

Publication number: AU2002325090B2
Application number: AU2002325090A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard Lewis
Original assignee: BEYOND 2000 MARINE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BEYOND 2000 MARINE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-14
Filing date: 2002-09-16
Publication date: 2007-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-16

Description

WO 03/024777 PCT/AU02/01264 MARINE PLEASURE CRAFT This invention relates to a marine pleasure craft, more particularly to a craft for the enjoyment of one or two people.

Pleasure craft such as kayaks, surf skis, and the like are well known and are very popular. However they are generally suitable for one pleasurable use only, that for which they were designed. These are propelled by the user by paddles and are usually used for paddling either in races, or to catch waves, or to move from one place to another.

However these craft do not provide any great deal of comfort for the user.

It is an object of this invention to provide a personal leisure craft that can be used for various recreational purposes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a personal marine craft that has a large degree of comfort for the user.

It is an object of this invention to provide a one or two person craft which can be used as a kayak, surf ski or the like and is not limited to a single use.

Thus it is an object to provide a multi-functional personal recreational marine craft in which craft can be adapted to a number of differing activities.

An object of the invention is to provide a multi-functional personal marine craft that can be adapted for fishing and/or crabbing or sailing.

There is provided according to the invention a personal marine craft adapted to be paddled by the user, the craft having a seat and a backrest, provision to support the feet and/or legs of the user, the back rest forming a compartment for the storage of articles through openings having closures forming a water tight seal.

WO 03/024777 PCT/AU02/01264 2 Preferably the craft has provision for the transport and/or storage of goods.

Preferably the craft in one form of the invention has a flat surface on which boxes or the like can be positioned, for example to carry marine life being caught.

Preferably a craft in another form has a storage compartment for the storage of an insulated container.

Preferably the craft can in a still further form have a compartment openable to the water below the craft for the storage of live bait or fish being caught.

Preferably in another form of the invention there is provided in an upper surface of the craft a recess to receive the butt of a fishing rod.

Preferably the front of the craft is so shaped to minimise entry into a wave and reduce splash and spray to the user.

In another preferred form of the invention there is provided an anchor and an anchor rope stored in a compartment of the craft.

Preferably the craft has positions for the secure stowage of the paddle or paddles when not being used.

In order to more fully describe the invention reference will now be made to the drawings illustrating the invention:- Figure 1 shows one form of the invention, Figure 2 shows the craft with a sail positioned on the craft, Figure 3 is a view of the hull of the craft, Figure 4 shows a view of the other side of the craft, WO 03/024777 PCT/AU02/01264 3 Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention, and Figure 6 shows the drive of the embodiment of Figure As shown the craft 1 is preferably molded in fibre glass or from a suitable plastics material having a hollow hull between below the upper surface of the craft. The craft 1 has a seat 2 and backrest 3 and a leg and foot area 4 toward the front of the craft 1 on the upper surface of the craft. The seat 2 is positioned generally central of the craft 1 for stability, the front 5 of the craft extending forwardly of the foot area 4.

In this embodiment provision is made for the carrying of boxes or containers in a recessed area 6 behind the back rest 3. The floor 7 of the recess is lower than the walls 8 to locate a container or box or crate or basket in the recess, so that the container or crate is located to prevent displacement during movement of the craft. Thus when the craft is used for catching marine life such as crabs, the crabs can be placed in the baskets or containers.

In the area forwardly of the seat 2 there is provided a compartment 9 closable by a lid 10. This compartment 9 may be used for the storage of provisions, an insulated container or the like. As shown this storage compartment is positioned between the legs of the user. In addition a small opening 11 is provided forwardly of the storage compartment 9. This may be used to receive the butt or handle of a fishing rod. Between the seat and the compartment 9, there is formed a small recess 12 having a rounded bottom or gymbal. The end of a mast 13 of a sail 14 can rest in this recess, the sail being operated in a manner similar to a sail on a surfboard. Also between compartment 9 and opening 11, there can be a recess 12(a) to receive a fixed mast or a fishing rod.

The shape of the nose 15 of the craft is shaped to prevent spray and splashes and this is achieved by the top planar surface 16 of the front of the craft extending beyond the actual bow 17 of the craft. Thus this planar member 16 extends from the top surface of the front of the craft both forwardly and laterally and thus is positioned above the surface of the water to form a splash guard.

WO 03/024777 PCT/AU02/01264 4 The craft has a very small keel 18 thus forming a virtually flat bottom to increase the stability of the raft. Two small fin like keel members 19 are provided at the stern of the keel.

The back rest 3 is formed as the front wall of a compartment 20 for the storage of articles. The compartment is formed by side walls 32, top wall 33 and rear wall 34, the side walls extending upwardly from an upper surface of the side walls of the craft. Thus there is formed a compartment for the storage of articles and equipment having openings closable by water tight lids or doors.

The compartment can have an opening 21 and water tight lid on a side or alternately an opening 22 on the rear surface of the compartment.

The craft 1 has on each side a hand rail 23. In addition there can be a holder 24 or a drink can or container. The craft can also be provided with an anchor the rope of the anchor being coiled on hooks (not shown) on the side of the craft. Also there are provided clips 16 to hold oars or a paddle 27.

In an alternate form of the invention the back rest 2 tapers back to the stern of the craft forming an extended compartment 28, thus forming a storage area accessible through an opening on the side of the craft and closable by water proof lid 29.

In another embodiment of the invention the extended compartment 28 can house a small motor to drive a propeller 29 in a protective housing 30. The bottom of the craft is suitably modified, the propeller operating in a channel formed in the hull of the craft.

While the crafts illustrated are designed for single person usage, craft can also have two, four or six seats and backrests whereby a number of persons may use and enjoy the craft.

Thus it can be seen that by the invention there is provided a craft having a plurality of uses, from use in a manner similar to a kayak, to a paddle board, and also be used for pastimes such as fishing or crabbing, sailing or sail boarding. The various compartments and options available for the craft can WO 03/024777 PCT/AU02/01264 be selected as desired and are not limited to the particular items illustrated.

Thus a person can spend a considerable time fishing in various locations, the craft being able to carry all provisions such as food and drink, bait fishing tackle and containers for the fish or crabs or other marine life caught.

Although various forms of the invention have been described in some detail it is. to be realised the invention is not limited thereto but can include variations and modifications falling the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

2. A personal marine craft as defined in claim 1 wherein the front surface of the back rest forms the surface for the back of the user, the compartment having side walls a top wall and a back wall.
3. A personal marine craft as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein the craft has a recessed area behind the back rest, said recessed area having a floor below the upper portion of the side walls of the craft said recessed area being -adapted to hold a removable container.
4. A personal water craft as defined in claim 3 when appended to claim 2 wherein the back wall of the back rest extends to the floor of the recessed area. A personal water craft as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the craft is provided with a storage container in the floor of the craft forwardly of the seat, the said container preferably being an insulated container having a sealed lid. COMS ID No: ARCS-169865 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:07 Date 2007-11-23 23/11 2007 15:30 FAXX COLLISON CO 4 IP AUST CANBERRA 1028/044 7
6. A personal water craft as defined in claim 1 wherein the craft is provided O 0 forwardly of the seat with a recess to receive a mast of a sail, and also M forwardly of the seat a member to receive a handle or butt of a fishing rod.
7. A personal marine craft as defined in claim 1 wherein the craft includes O side hand rails, provision for the storage of an anchor and an anchor rope n coiled on hooks on the side of the craft, and clips for the storage of an oar Cor paddle.
8. A personal water craft as defined in claim 2 wherein the top wall and side walls of the back rest taper back to the end of the craft to form an extended compartment.
9. A personal water craft as defined in claim 8 wherein a small motor is installed in the extended compartment, said motor driving a propeller shaft attached to a propeller beneath the hull of the craft. COMS ID No: ARCS-169865 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:07 Date 2007-11-23