EP1490258A2

EP1490258A2 - Waterborne vessel for sport and leisure and boat hull intended for a waterborne vessel

Info

Publication number: EP1490258A2
Application number: EP03708808A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mikael NORDSTRÖM; Mikael Englund; Henrik Hansson
Original assignee: Alot Fritid
Current assignee: Alot Fritid
Priority date: 2002-03-26
Filing date: 2003-03-26
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Also published as: SE521983C2; WO2003080424A2; WO2003080424A3; AU2003212778A1; AU2003212778A8; SE0200930L; SE0200930D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a waterbone vessel (1) for sport and leisure, which may be converted from a canoe or a kayak (1) to a catamaran (1), and vice versa. The vessel (1) comprises a first hull (2) and a second hull (5). The two hulls (2, 5) may be locked to each other in a first position to form a canoe or kayak, or in a second position wherein the hulls (2, 5) form a catamaran.

Description

WATERBORNE VESSEL FOR SPORT AND LEISURE AND BOAT HULL INTENDED FOR A WATERBORNE VESSEL

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a waterbome vessel for sport and leisure. The invention also relates to a boat hull intended for a waterbome vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Small waterbome vessels, such as canoes, kayaks or small sailing boats with centreboards, are often used for sport and leisure. Such vessels are often small and light enough to be transported on a private car trailer or on the roof of a private car. Further, the price for such a vessel can be kept comparatively low. Such vessels are therefore moderate and easy to transport, and therefore they may often be attractive to a broad public. Different types of small boats are intended for different fields of applications. A kayak or a canoe is suitable for use in small watercourses, where it often is windless. Kayaks and canoes may be used in very shallow waters. A sailing-boat with a keel or a centreboard is suitable for use in somewhat larger watercourses, where it more often is windy. Such vessels need more space than a canoe or kayak. However, there is requirement with many people to be able to enjoy boating in different forms, both in the form of paddling with a canoe/kayak and in the form of sailing with a sailing-boat.

Further, many people wish that a waterbome vessel for sport and leisure shall be easy to transport. For instance in the US patent publication No. 3,916,468 it has been suggested to make a canoe with a divisible hull. It has also been suggested in for instance the US patent publication No. 5, 189,974 to join two kayak hulls to a catamaran. The present invention aim^'s at providing an improved waterbome vessel for sport and leisure. An additional object is to provide a waterbome vessel, which permits boating in different ways. An additional object is to provide a waterbome vessel, which is easy to transport.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a waterbome vessel for sport and leisure, which vessel may be converted from a vessel with a combined hull to a vessel with at least two separate hulls, and vice versa. The vessel of the invention comprises a first hull with a stem and a stem, and a main longitudinal direction from the stem to the stem, and a second hull with a stem and a stem, and a main longitudinal direction from the stem to the stem. Further, the vessel comprises fastening means, which are provided on the first and the second hull. The first and the second hulls may be locked to each other by the fastening means in a first position, wherein the first hull is attached to the second hull, so that both hulls are on a line where the main longitudinal direction of the first hull coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull, and the first and the second hulls form a combined hull, as well as in a second position, wherein the first and the second hulls are placed parallel to each other but at a distance from each other, so that the waterbome vessel has a divided hull.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the fastening means comprise first fastening means for locking the hulls to each other in the first position, and second fastening means for locking the hulls to each other in the second position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastening means for locking the hulls to each other in the second position constitute also fastening means for locking the hulls to each other in the first position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the stem of the first hull is shaped as a female portion and the stem of the second hull is shaped as a male portion. The male portion may be inserted into the female portion of the first hull, so that the first and the second hulls then will form a combined hull of a length exceeding the length of the first and second hulls included in the combined hull.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the fastening means comprise at least an elongated beam and the first as well as the second hulls are provided with grooves extending in a direction essentially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the hulls. The grooves are arranged in such a way that, when the hulls have been brought together and the male portion of the second hull has been inserted into the female portion, the grooves of the hulls coincide with each other so that the grooves of the second hull constitute a continuation of the grooves of the first hull. Further, the grooves have a size corresponding to the size of the elongated beam so that the elongated beam may be inserted into the grooves when the hulls have been brought together to a continuous hull and thereby join the two hulls. Further, the fastening means comprise locking means provided on the hulls and in association to the grooves in order to lock the beam in the groove so that the beam is locked to both the first and the second hulls.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each hull is provided with grooves on each side of the hull, and the fastening means comprise two elongated beams which may be inserted into the grooves on each side of the hull and thereby be locked to the hulls so that each beam is locked to each hull and thereby locks the hulls to each other. Suitably, each hull has at least one locking means provided on one side of the hull, which locking means is arranged to grip a beam and lock it so that the first and the second hulls may be placed side by side and parallel to each other and be connected with each other by an elongated beam being locked in at least one locking means provided on the first hull and at least one locking means provided on the second hull. The two hulls may then be connected to each other in a position, wherein the hulls are side by side and parallel to each other but at a distance from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hulls.

The fastening means for locking the first and the second hulls to each other in the first position may comprise an arm, which in a first end is pivotably journalled on the first side of the respective hull and which may be turned from an open position wherein the arm has benn lifted from the hull to a closed position, in which the arm has been lowered against the hull. A first tightenable clamp connection is suitably provided in the other end of the arm. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first clamp connection comprises a clamp arranged on the arm, which clamp is provided with one or more hooks , and which clamp further has a threaded hole and a screw placed into the threaded hole, which screw is provided to work upon the arm. Suitably, a fastener is mounted on the other side of the hull, in which fastener the first clamp connection may be removably mounted when the arm is in its closed position. The fastener suitably has one or more recesses , in which one or more hooks in a clamp arranged on the arm may be inserted when the arm is in its closed position, so that the tightening of the screw of the clamp connection will fix the hook or hooks in the recess or recesses of the fastener when the screw works upon the arm. A beam holder is provided in the other end of the arm with an end placed at a distance from the arm, which latter end has a shape corresponding to the outer line of the elongated beam. When the pivotably journalled arm is in its closed position, the end of the beam holder abuts against the elongated beam in the grooves of the hull so that tightening of the first clamp connection presses the beam towards the elongated beam and thus fixes the beam in the groove. In the first end of the arm, there is suitably a second tightenable clamp connection, which is arranged in connection to the groove provided in the first side of the hull so that the second clamp connection may fix an elongated beam which has been placed in the groove on the first side of the hull. The second clamp connection is preferably arranged to be open when the arm is in its open position and tightened when the arm is in its closed position. A beam holder is provided in the other end of the arm with one end placed at a distance from the arm, which latter end has a shape corresponding to the outer line of the elongated beam. When the pivotably journalled arm is in its closed position, the end of the beam holder abuts against the elongated beam in the grooves of the hull so that tightening of the screw of the clamp connection presses the beam towards the elongated beam. The beam is thereby fixed in the groove. In the first end of the arm there is a strap, which in one end is fixed to the hull and in the other end is fixed to the arm, and which strap is provided above the groove in the hull, so that, when the arm is in its open position, the strap permits insertion of the elongated beam intended for the groove, and so that, when the arm is in its closed position, the strap will fix the elongated beam in its groove.

For locking the hulls to each other in the second position, the fastening means suitably comprise an arm, which at a first end is pivotably journalled in the first side of the respective hull and which may be turned from an open position in which the arm has been lifted from the hull to a closed position, in which the arm has been lowered against the hull. The arm may be shaped as an arcuated rail with an inner outline corresponding to the shape of the elongated beam so that the arm at least partly may surround the elongated beam. A first tightenable clamp connection is provided in another end of the arm. Suitably, the first tightenable clamp connection comprises a clamp arranged on the arm, which clamp is provided with one hook or more, and which clamp further has a threaded hole and a screw placed into the threaded hole, which screw is provided to work upon the arm. A fastener is mounted on the other side of the hull, in which fastener the first clamp connection may be removably mounted when the arm is in its closed position. The fastener may be provided with one or more recesses or grooves, in which the hook or hooks of the clamp arm may be inserted when the arm is in its closed position so that tightening of the screw of the clamp connection will fix the hook or hooks in the recess or recesses of the fastener when the screw works upon the arm, so that the beam may be fixed. When the elongated beam has been placed above the two hulls, the beam may be locked by the arm on each hull being lowered towards the hull to its closed position so that it at least partly surrounds the beam, and thereafter the clamp connection is mounted in the fastener and is tightened.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each hull is provided with at least two sets of locking means, which are spaced to each other in the mainly longitudinal direction of the respective hull. The hulls may then be locked to each other in the second position by at least two elongated beams. In order to be able to sail the vessel it also comprises a mast. The elongated beam or, if more than one beam is used, one of the elongated beams may be provided with a fastening device for the mast, so that the foot of the mast may be removably mounted into the elongated beam. The mast may be a two-part mast. Further, the vessel suitably comprises a plurality of stays and fastening points for the stays. The fastening points of the stays are preferably provided on one hand on the mast and on the other hand on the hull so that the mast may be fixed further by the stays being mounted in its fastening points on the hull and the mast and thereby joining the mast with the hull. At least some of the fastening points have been provided with means for tightening the stays when they connect the mast and the hull.

Each one of the hulls may be provided with a centreboard so that the vessel will function in a better way as a sailing-boat. The centreboard of the vessel is preferably located on one outer side of the hull so that the centreboard is asymmetrically arranged on the hull. In an embodiment of the invention, the centreboards have a common mechanism for raising and lowering, respectively, the centreboards, so that, when the hulls are locked to each other in the second position, the centreboards may be manoeuvred together as one unit.

Further, the vessel may comprise a rudder and a fastening device for securing the rudder to the elongated beam or, if more than one beam is used, to one of the elongated beams used to lock the hulls to each other in the second position. The rudder may thus be mounted on the beam when the hulls are locked to each other in the second position, wherein the first and the second hulls are located parallel to but at a distance from each other.

If a rudder is used, the stem of one of the hulls may have one or more fasteners for fixing the rudder. The rudder may then be mounted on the vessel, when the two hulls has been locked to each other in the first position, wherein the two hulls are on a line where the main longitudinal direction of the first hull coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull, and the first and the second hulls form a combined hull.

In an embodiment of the invention, the rudder comprises a rudder blade and a holder, in which the rudder blade is journalled. The rudder blade may then be lifted or turned upwards, if the rudder would hit against a hindrance, e.g. a ground. A resilient means connected to the holder and the rudder blade may be provided to be stretched when the rudder blade is lifted or turned upwards.

It should be understood, that the fastening means used to lock the hulls to each other in the first position may advantageously at least partly be the same fastening means as used to lock the hulls to each other in the second position. It should be understood, that the invention particularly aims at providing a vessel which may be converted from a canoe or kayak to a catamaran, and vice versa.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vessel comprises a first hull with a stem and a stem, and a main longitudinal direction from the stem to the stem, and a second hull with a stem and a stem, and a main longitudinal direction from the stem to the stem. On each long side of the hull there is a groove extending in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hull. Further, the vessel comprises a pair of elongated beams, the outer dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the grooves on the sides of the hulls, so that the elongated beams may be inserted into the grooves of the hulls and hence connect the two hulls to each other when the hulls are in the first position, in which the first hull has been connected to the second hull, so that the two hulls form a canoe or kayak, wherein the hulls are on a line where the main longitudinal direction of the first hull coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull. Further, the vessel comprises means for locking the beams, on one hand in the grooves of the hulls and on the other hand in a direction perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction of each hull, so that a beam may join the two hulls in a second position wherein the first and the second hulls have been placed parallel to, but at a distance from each other so that the vessel gets the shape of a catamaran.

The invention also relates to a hull with a stem and a stem, as well as a main longitudinal direction from the stem to the stem, which hull further comprises a centreboard, which is located on at outer side of the hull so that the centreboard is asymmetrically arranged on the hull.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the vessel of the invention when it has been arranged to a vessel with combined hulls. Fig. 2 shows the vessel of the invention as a vessel with two separate hulls.

Fig. 3 shows, in cross section from the side, how the hulls may be joined to a combined hull. Fig. 4 shows in a perspective view how the hulls may be joined to a combined hull.

Fig. 5 shows, in the longitudinal direction of a hull, fastening means for locking the hulls to each other.

Fig. 6 shows, in the longitudinal direction of a hull, fastening means for locking the hulls to each other.

Fig. 7 shows, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a hull, the same fastening means as in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 shows, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a hull, the same fastening means as in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows, in the longitudinal direction of a hull, fastening means on both sides of a hull.

Fig. 10 shows a portion of the fastening means shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 shows, in a perspective view, how the two hulls may be joined to each other to form a catamaran.

Fig. 12 shows the vessel in the form of a catamaran as well as the location of the centreboards.

Fig. 13 shows the design of a centreboard. F Fiigg.. 1 144A. and Fig. 14B show how a centreboard may be fixed to the side of a hull. F Fiigg.. 1 155 shows the vessel in the form of a canoe or kayak with a rudder.

Fig. 16 shows the fixing of a mast.

Fig. 17 shows, in a perspective view, the same portion as that shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 18 shows the fastening means according to Fig. 7, when it has been firmly tightened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As may be best seen from Fig. 1 and 2, the invention relates to a waterbome vessel 1 for sport and leisure, which vessel may be converted from a vessel 1 with a combined hull to a vessel 1 with at least two separate hulls, and vice versa. In Fig. 1 the vessel 1 of the invention is shown as a kayak or canoe 1 with a combined hull. In Fig. 2 the vessel 1 of the invention is shown as a catamaran 1, i.e. as a vessel with two separate hulls. The vessel 1 comprises a first hull 2 with a stem 3 A and a stem 4 A, and a main longitudinal direction from the stem 3 A to the stem 4 A, and a second hull 5 with a stem 3B and a stem 4B, and a main longitudinal direction from the stem 3B to the stem 4B. Fastening means are provided on the first 2 and the second 5 hulls, so that the first 2 and the second 5 hulls may be locked to each other by the fastening means in a first position shown in Fig. 1, in which position the first hull 2 has been attached to the second hull 5 so that the two hulls 2, 5 are aligned. Then, the main longitudinal direction of the first hull 2 coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull 5, and the first 2 and the second 5 hulls form a combined hull. One hull then lies behind the other hull so that the combined hull is longer than each one of the hulls included in the combined hull. Further, the hulls may be locked to each other in a second position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the first 2 and the second 5 hulls are placed parallel to but at a distance from each other, so that the waterbome vessel 1 has a divided hull.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the fastening means may comprise first fastening means for locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other in the first position, and second fastening means for locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other in the second position. This also implies that different fastening means are used for locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other depending on whether the hulls 2,5 are to be locked to each other in the first or the second position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastening means for locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other in the second position constitute completely or partly also fastening means for locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other in the first position. Thus, this implies that the same fastening means are at least partly used for locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other both in the first and in the second position.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stem 3 A of the first hull 2 is formed as a female portion 6 and the stem 3B of the second hull 5 is formed as a male portion 7, which may be inserted into the female portion 6 of the first hull 2. The first 2 and the second 5 hulls will thereby form a combined hull with a length exceeding the length of the first 2 and the second 5 hulls included in the combined hull. The male portion 7 and the female portion 6 are preferably slightly conical. The conical shape is useful when locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other. A sealing door 39 is suitably provided in the stem portion 3 A of the first hull 2, which door is mounted on the stem portion when the vessel is used as a vessel with a divided hull, like a catamaran. The sealing door 39 prevents water from penetrating into the female portion 6. The sealing door may be removably attached by means 40 for attaching the sealing door 39 to the female portion 6. For instance, such means may consist of straps, buckles, or the like.

The fastening means may suitably comprise at least one elongated beam 8 A, 8B. Both the first 2 and the second 5 hulls are suitably provided with grooves 9 extending in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hull. The grooves 9 are so arranged that, when the hulls 2, 5 have been joined to each other and the male portion 7 of the second hull 5 has been inserted into the female portion 6 of the first hull 2, the grooves 9 of the hulls coincide with each other. Then, the grooves 9 of the second 5 hull constitute a continuation of the grooves 9 of the first 2 hull. Further, the grooves 9 have a dimension corresponding to the dimension of the elongated beam 8 A, 8B, so that the elongated beam 8 A, 8B may be inserted into the grooves 9, when the hulls 2, 5 have been brought together to a combined hull and thereby join the two hulls 2, 5. The fastening means may then also comprise locking means provided on the hulls 2, 5 and in connection to the grooves 9 for locking the beam 8A, 8B in the groove 9 so that the beam 8 A, 8B is locked in the groove 9 to both the first 2 and the second 5 hulls.

Preferably, each hull 2, 5 is provided with grooves 9 on each side of the hull 2, 5, wherein the fastening means comprise two elongated beams 8A, 8B which may be inserted into the grooves 9 on each side of the hulls 2, 5 and there lock the two the hulls 2, 5, so that each beam 8A, 8B is locked to both hulls 2, 5 and thereby locks the hulls 2, 5 to each other. In an embodiment of the invention, the grooves 9 adjacent to the stem may terminate into a cavity 90 with circumferential walls and a bottom, so that the beam 8A, 8B gets a clearly defined end position.

In an embodiment of the invention, each hull 2, 5 has at least one locking means provided on one side of the hull 2, 5, which locking means is intended to grip a beam 8A, 8B and lock it. The first 2 and the second 5 hulls may thereby be arranged side by side and parallel to each other and be connected to each other by an elongated beam 8 A, 8B being locked in at least one locking means provided on the first 2 hull and at least one locking means provided on the second 5 hull. The two hulls 2, 5 may then be connected to each other in a position wherein the hulls 2, 5 lie side by side and parallel to each other but at a distance from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hulls 2, 5.

The fastening means for locking the first 2 and the second 5 hulls to each other in the first position may comprise an arm lOA, 10B, which in its first end 11 is pivotably journalled in the first side 13 of respective hull 2, 5. The arm 10A, 10B may be turned from an open position wherein the arm has been lifted above the hull 2, 5 to a closed position in which the arm has been lowered against the hull 2, 5. In the other end of the arm 10A, 10B there is a first tightenable clamp connection 14. The first tightenable clamp connection 14 may comprise a clamp 20 provided on the arm 10 A, 10B, which clamp 20 is provided with one or more hooks 21 and which clamp further has a threaded hole 22 and one screw 23, which is provided in the threaded hole, which screw is intended to work upon the arm. The screw 23 may for instance be tightened by means of a handle 16 being fixedly connected to the screw 23. In stead of a screw connection, other locking means may be used, e.g. an eccentric lock.

A fastener 24 is provided on the other side 15 of the hull, in which fastener 24 the first clamp connection 14 may be removably mounted when the arm 10 A, 10B is in its closed position. The fastener may have one or more recesses, grooves or additional hooks 25, in which the hook 21 or hooks 21 of the clamp 20 may be inserted, when the arm is in its closed position so that the tightening of the screw 23 of the clamp connection 14 fixes the hook 21 or hooks 21 in the recess or recesses 25 or additional hooks 25 of the fastener when the screw 23 works upon the arm. A beam holder 17 is provided in the other end of the arm 10 A, 10B with an end 18 placed at a distance from the arm 10 A, 10B, which latter end has a shape corresponding to the outer line of the elongated beam 8 A, 8B. When the pivotably journalled arm is in its closed position, the end 18 of the beam holder 17 abuts against the elongated beam 8 A, 8B in the grooves 9 of the hull 2, 5. Tightening of the first clamp connection 14, for instance through tightening of the screw 23 of the first clamp connection 14, then presses the beam holder 17 towards the elongated beam and thus fixes the beam 8 A, 8B in the groove 9.

In the first end 11 of the arm 10A, 10B, there is a second tightenable clamp connection 19, which is provided in connection to the groove 9 on the first side of the hull. The second clamp connection 19 may thereby fix an elongated beam 8 A, 8B, which has been placed into the groove 9 provided on the first side of the hull 2, 5. The second clamp connection 19 is arranged to be open when the arm 10 A, 10B is in its open position and tightened when the arm is in its closed position. The second clamp connection may comprise a strap 26, which in one of its ends is fixed to the hull 2, 5 and in its other end is fixed to the arm 10 A, 10B, and which strap 26 is arranged above the groove in the hull so that, when the arm 10 A, 10B is in its open position, the strap 26 permits insertion of the elongated beam intended for the groove 9, and so that, when the arm is in its closed position, the strap 26 fixes the elongated beam 8A, 8B in its groove 9. The strap 26 is suitably mounted in the arm 10A by being fixed in an arm holder 73 belonging to the arm 10 A, which holder is firmly connected to the arm 10A and pivotably journalled in a bearing 12 in the first side 13 of the hull. Thereby, the entire arm 10A is pivotably journalled in the first side 13 of the hull. The grooves 9 are preferably covered with a rubber layer 76 for higher friction between the grooves 9 and the beams 8 A, 8B. In an embodiment of the invention, the locking means of the vessel 1, for locking the hulls to each other in the second position, comprises an arm 10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D, which in a first end 11 is pivotably journalled in the first side 13 of the espective hull 2, 5 and which may be turned from an open position in which the arm 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D has been lifted above the hull 2, 5 to a closed position in which the arm 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D has been lowered against the hull 2, 5. The arm 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D is shaped as an arcuated rail with an inner line corresponding to the shape of the elongated beam 8 A, 8B so that the arm 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D may at least partly surround the elongated beam 8A, 8B. The arm 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D is on its inner surface preferably covered with rubber to increase the friction between the arm 10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D and the beam 8 A, 8B. In the other end of the arm 10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D there is a first tightenable clamp connection 14. The clamp connection 14 may comprises a clamp 20 arranged on the arm 10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D, which clamp 20 is provided with one or more hooks, and which clamp 20 further has a threaded hole 22 and a screw 23 placed into the threaded hole 22, which screw is provided to work upon the arm 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D. A fastener 24 is mounted on the other side 15 of the hull 2, 5, in which fastener 24 the first clamp connection 14 may be removably mounted when the arm 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D is in its closed position. The fastener 24 may have one or more recesses, grooves or additional hooks 25, in which the hook 21 or hooks 21 of the clamp 20 may be inserted or hooked, when the arm 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D is in its closed position so that the tightening of the screw 23 of the clamp connection 14 will fix the hook 21 or hooks 21 in the recess or recesses 25 or additional hooks 25 of the fastener when the screw works upon the arm 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D. The beam 8A, 8B may thereby be locked when the arm lOA, 10B, 10C, 10D on each hull 2, 5 at least partly surrounds the beam 8 A, 8B and the arm is in its closed position by inserting the hook 21 or hooks 21 of the clamp 20 into the recess or recesses 25 of the fastener, and thereafter the screw 23 of the clamp connection 14 is tightened so that the screw 23 of the clamp connection 14 works upon the arm 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D. Now, with reference to Fig. 5, Fig. 10, and Fig. 17, a suitable embodiment of the clamp 20 and its hooks 21 as well as of the fastener 24 will be explained. The clamp 20 may have a hook 21 in the form of a shaft 21, which with its ends is arranged in opposite sides of the clamp 20. The fastener 24 has in an upper end an arcuated portion 25 forming a groove or an additional hook 25, which may interact with the shaft 21. When the screw 23 is tightened, the clamp 20 and the arms are pressed away from each other and the clamp 20 then is lifted, so that the shaft 21 is accommodated in the groove 25. In Fig. 18 it is indicated how the arm and the clamp are pressed away from each other when the screw 23 is tightened. When the elongated beam 8 A, 8B has been placed above the two hulls 2, 5, the beam may always be locked by the arm on each hull being lowered towards the hull to its closed position so that it at least partly surrounds the beam 8A, 8B. Thereafter, the clamp connection 14 is mounted into the fastener 24 and tightened. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the upper side of each hull 2, 5 may be provided with a groove 75 running perpendicularly to the main longitudinal direction of the hulls. The beams 8 A, 8B may be placed into the grooves 75, when the beams are to be locked in its second position with the arms 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D. The grooves 75 may be coated with rubber.

The locking means for locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other have here been described separately. It should, however, be understood that, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, these means are also used to lock the hulls 2, 5 to each other in the first position. The same arm 10 A, 10B, the clamp connection 14 and the elongated beam 8 A, 8B may also be used to lock the hulls 2, 5 to each other in both the first and the second positions.

Preferably, each hull 2, 5 is provided with at least two sets of locking means 8 A, 8B, 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 14 spaced from each other in the main longitudinal direction of respective hull 2, 5, so that the hulls 2, 5 may be locked to each other with at least two elongated beams 8A, 8B. Thus, the first hull 2 has a first pivotably journalled arm 10A and a second pivotably journalled arm IOC. The second hull 5 has a first pivotably journalled arm 10B and a second pivotably journalled arm 10D.

To make it possible to sail the vessel 1, it suitably comprises a mast 27, and the elongated beam 8 A, 8B or, if more than one beam is used, one of the elongated beams 8A, 8B is provided with a fastening device 28 for the mast 27, so that the foot 29 of the mast 27 may be removably mounted into the elongated beam 8 A, 8B. A wire or a rope 41 is provided to be mounted into the fastening device 28 of the mast 27. The foot 29 of the mast 27 has a hole through which the wire or rope 41 may be inserted. Further, the mast 27 has an opening or slit 42, through which the wire 41 may be taken out. The wire 41 may then be stretched and locked in a lock 43 on the mast 43. Preferably, the mast 27 is a two-part mast 27. In an embodiment shown in Fig. 16, the fastening device 28 of the mast 27 is removably attached to one of the elongated beams by means of a screw connection. In an embodiment, the vessel 1 further comprises a plurality of stays 30 and fastening points 31 for the stays 30. The fastening points 31 are provided both on the mast and on the hull 2, 5 so that the mast 27 may be further fixed by the stays 40 being attached in their fastening points 31 on the hulls 2, 5 and the mast 27 and thereby connecting the mast 27 with the hulls 2, 5. At least some of the fastening points 31 have suitably been provided with means for stretching the stays 30 when they connect the mast 27 and the hulls 2, 5.

Now, reference is made to Fig. 12, Fig. 13 as well as Figs. 14 A and 14B. In order to obtain good sailing properties, each of the hulls 2, 5 may be provided with a centreboard 32 arranged on the outer side of the hull 2, 5, so that the centreboard 32 is asymmetrically located on the hull 2, 5. Suitably, the centreboards 32 have a common mechanism 33 for raising and lowering, respectively, the centreboards 32, so that, when the hulls are locked to each other in the second position, the centreboards 32 may be manoeuvred together as one unit. The centreboards 32 may be pivotably journalled in holders 45, which are provided with profiles 46 having grooves, which profiles may be mounted on rails 47 on the outer surface of the hull. The centreboard 32 is pivotably journalled in the holder 45 in a bushing 48.

Further, in an advantageous embodiment, the vessel 1 comprises a rudder 34 and a fastening device 35 for securing the rudder 34 to the elongated beam or, if more than one beam is used, to one of the elongated beams used to lock the hulls to each other in the second position. The rudder 34 may thus be mounted on the beam when the hulls 2, 5 have been locked to each other in the second position, wherein the first and the second hulls 2, 5 have been located parallel to but at a distance from each other. A screw joint 74 may be used to lock the fastening means 35 to the beam 8 A.

The stem of one of the hulls 2, 5 has preferably one or more fasteners 36 for mounting the rudder 34, so that the rudder 34 may be mounted on the vessel, when the two hulls 2, 5 have been locked to each other in the first position, wherein the two hulls are on a line where the main longitudinal direction of the first hull 2 coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull 5, and the first 2 and the second5 hulls form a combined hull. It should be understood that the fasteners 36 for the rudder 34 will constitute the stem when the vessel 1 is used as a canoe or a kayak, and the hulls 2, 5 have been locked to each other in the first position.

The rudder 34 may comprise a rudder blade 37 and a holder 38, in which the rudder blade 37 is pivotably journalled. The rudder blade 37 may thereby be lifted or turned upwards, if the rudder 34 would hit against a hindrance, e.g. a ground. A resilient means 60 connected to the holder 38 and the rudder blade 37 may be arranged to be stretched when the rudder blade 37 is lifted or turned upwards. With reference to Fig. 15, it is shown how the rudder blade 37 is connected to a bar 61 running in a guide in the holder 38 of the rudder blade. The bar 61 is connected to the resilient element 60, which may be a spring 60. The spring 60 is in one end connected to the bar 61 and in its other end to the holder 38, to a hull 2, 5 or to a portion of the rudder blade 37, which spring, when the rudder blade is turned, will move in the opposite direction in relation to the bendable bar 61. If the rudder blade 37 hits against a hindrance, the rudder blade 37 will be turned about its bearing point 70 in the holder 38. The bar 61 will be pressed upwards and the resilient element and the spring 60 will be stretched. When the vessel 1 has passed the hindrance, the spring 60 will cause the rudder blade 37 to turn back to its start position. When the vessel 1 is used as a kayak, the rudder 34 may be actuated by means of ropes 71, which in one end are connected to the holder 38 of the rudder blade and in the other end are connected to pedals 72 in the cockpit of the kayak, so that a user of the kayak may steer the kayak with his feet. It should be understood that the kayak suitably comprises two pedals 72 and that each pedal 72 is connected to a rope 71, which in its other end is connected to the holder 38 of the rudder blade 37.

Thus, the invention provides a waterbome vessel 1 for sport and leisure which may be converted from a canoe or a kayak 1 to a catamaran 1, and vice versa, which vessel 1 comprises a first hull 2 with a stem 3 A and a stem 4 A and a main longitudinal direction from the stem 3 A to the stem 4A. Further, the vessel comprises a second hull 5 with a stem 3B and a stem 4B and a main longitudinal direction from the stem 3B to the hull 4B. On each long side of the hulls 2, 5 there is suitably a groove 9 extending in a direction essentially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the hull 2, 5. Further, the vessel 1 may comprise a pair of elongated beams 8 A, 8B, the outer dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the grooves 9 in the sides of the hulls 2, 5, so that the elongated beams 8A, 8B may be inserted into the grooves 9 of the hulls 2, 5 and hence connect the two hulls 2, 5 to each other when the hulls 2, 5 are in a first position, wherein the first hull 2 is connected to the second hull 5, so that the two hulls 2, 5 are on a line where the main longitudinal direction of the first hull 2 coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull 5.

Further, the vessel suitably comprises means 9, lOA, 10B, 10C, 10D, 17, 18, 20, 22, 21, 23, 26 for locking the beams 8 A, 8B, on one hand in the grooves 9 of the hulls 2, 5 and on the other hand in a direction perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction of each hull 2, 5, so that a beam 8A, 8B can connect the two hulls 2, 5 in a second position, wherein the first and the second hulls 2, 5 have been placed parallel to, but at a distance from each other. The invention also relates to a hull 2, 5 with a stern 3 A, 3B and a stem 4A, 4B, as well as a main longitudinal direction from the stern 3 A, 3B to the stem 4 A, 4B, which hull 2,

5 further comprises a centreboard 32, which is located on an outer side of the hull 2, 5 so that the centreboard 32 is arranged asymmetrically on the hull 2, 5.

The assembly of the vessel 1 of the invention will now be explained with reference to the figures. In an initial stage, the vessel is in the state shown in Fig. 2, wherein the vessel has the form of a catamaran. The hulls 2, 5 of the catamaran are kept together by the beams 8 A, 8B locked to the hulls 2, 5. Now, the user or users decides/decide to convert the catamaran to a kayak. The sail is taken in, and the clamp connections 14 locking the beams 8 A, 8B are loosened. When the clamp connection 14 has been loosened, the arms 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D may be lifted, as can be seen from Fig. 11, and the beams 8A, 8B may then be removed. The mast 27 and the rudder 34 may be removed from the beams 8 A, 8B (this may be done before the clamp connections 14 are loosened). The sealing door 39 is removed from the stem 3A of the first hull 2. The male portion 7 of the second hull 5 is inserted into the female portion 6 of the first hull 2, as shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 4. The first hull 2 is somewhat larger than the second hull 5. The male portion 7 must have somewhat smaller dimensions than the female portion

6 to fit into the female portion 6. In connection to the insertion of the male portion 7 into the female portion 6 of the first hull 2, the beams 8 A, 8B are placed into the grooves 9 in the sides of the hulls. When the hulls 2, 5 have been properly put together, and the beams 8 A, 8B have been placed into the grooves 9, the arms 10 A, 10B are again lowered and the clamp connections 14, 19 will fix the beams 8 A, 8B in the grooves 9. The second clamp connections 19 will fix one beam 8B by means of the strap 26 as the arms lOA, 10B are lowered. The other beam 8 A is fixed by the first clamp connections 14 being tightened by the clamps 20 hooking in their fasteners 24, and thereafter the screws 23 of the clamp connections 14 are tigthtened. Thereby the ends 18 of the beam holders 17 are pressed against the beam 8 A, so that the beam 8 A is fixed in its groove 9. Suitably, the centreboards 32 are removed in connection with the conversion to a kayak and are attached or placed at the inner side of the hulls, and the two-part mast 27 may be retracted and placed in one of the hulls 2, 5. When the rudder 34 may have been fixed to the kayak, the vessel 1 now has the shape shown in Fig. 1.

If one wants to convert the vessel 1 from a kayak to a catamaran, the first clamp connections 14 are loosened and the arms 10A, 10B lifted, so that also the second clamp connections 19 are loosened. The beams 8 A, 8B are removed from their grooves 9. The first hull 2 may be separated from the second hull 5 by the second hull 5 being pulled out of the female portion 6 of the first hull 2. The sealing door 39 is fixed and the hulls 2, 5 are arranged parallel to but spaced from each other. The beams 8A, 8B are placed above the hulls perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hulls 2, 5, and the beams 8 A, 8B are then preferably placed in the transversal grooves 75. Then, the beams 8 A, 8B are locked through the arms 10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D as well as through the clamp connections 14, 19 connected to the arms 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D. The beams 8A, 8B and/or the arms 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D may advantageously be provided with distance marks, so that it may be determined that the beams 8A, 8B are properly placed in relation to the arms 10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and so that a proper distance is achieved between the hulls 2, 5 in catamaran position. The centreboards 32 are lowered and the mast 28 is fixed in the front beam 8B. The rudder 34 is attached to the rear beam 8A by means of its fastening means 35. The stays 30 are fit and tightened. A net 80 may be fastened between the hulls. Now, the vessel 1 has the shape of a catamaran as is shown in Fig. 2 and a sail may be hoisted.

A suitable material for the hulls 2, 5 may be glass fibre glued with epoxy. Instead of glass fibre also carbon fibre may be used or a mixture of carbon fibre and glass fibre. Other conceivable materials could for instance be aluminium, wood or Kevlar. Kevlar is a trademark owned by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Corporation.

As the vessel 1 of the invention has two hulls which may be connected to each other in a first and in a second position, respectively, the advantage is achieved that the same vessel may be used both as a canoe or kayak and as a catamaran. Therefore, the user only need to buy one vessel and is hence saving money. Further, the advantage is achieved that the vessel 1 is flexible and easily may be adapted to different situations. For instance, the vessel 1 may be paddled in a narrow and shallow water such as a small river. When the river reaches a larger water, such as a lake, the vessel 1 may rapidly be converted to a catamaran and sailed over the lake.

As the same fastening means are used to fix the hulls to each other in both the first and the second position, the advantage is achieved that a less amount of fastening means are required.

As the stem portions of the hulls 2, 5 are shaped as a female portion and a male portion the advantage is obtained that the hulls 2, 5 may be brought together in a very solid manner when the hulls are attached to each other in the first position. As elongated beams 8A, 8B are used to fix the hulls to each other in the first position, the advantage is achieved that the hulls are fixed to each other in a solid and durable manner. Excess stability and reliability are achieved if two beams are used instead of one beam.

Through the use of a clamp connection to lock the beams 8 A, 8B i their grooves 9, the advantage is obtained that a safety locking of the hulls 2, 5 to each other is achieved.

A safety locking is achieved by locking the hulls 2, 5 to each other in the second position through elongated beams and clamp connections . The shape of the pivotably journalled arms 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D as arcuated rails with dimensions corresponding to the circular beams contributes to the stability.

As the rudder blade is pivotable, the advantage is achieved that the risk of damaging the rudder is reduced, if the vessel runs against a ground or any other hindrance.

As the centreboards are located on the outside of the hulls, the advantage is achieved that the centreboards do not take up space within the hulls 2, 5.

As the female portion 6 of the first hull 2 may be closed by a sealing door, the advantage is achieved that penetration of water is obstructed.

As the clamp connections 14 comprise clamps and hooks as well as tightenable screws 23, the advantage is obtained that the beams 8 A, 8B may easily and rapidly be locked. Further, such elements are reliable and useful. In addition, such elements contribute through its simplicity to a cost-efficient construction.

As the mast 27 may be removably attached to a beam 8B, the advantage is achieved that the mast may be removed when the vessel is to be converted to a canoe or kayak.

As the mast is in two pieces the advantage is achieved that the mast may be retracted and hence be easier to store in the vessel 1 , when it is used as a canoe or kayak.

As the vessel comprises stays 30 and fastening points for the stays in the mast and in the hulls, the advantage is achieved that the mast may be mounted with large stability. As the centreboards 32 have a common mechanism for raising and lowering the centreboards, the advantage is achieved that both centreboards may be manoeuvred from only one of the hulls.

As the stem of one of the hulls has fasteners 36 for mounting the rudder, the advantage is achieved that the rudder may be used also when the vessel is used as a canoe or kayak.

As each hull has two sets of locking means provided at a distance from each other in the main longitudinal direction of the respective hull, the advantage is achieved that the hulls may be steadier locked to each other in the second position.

As the rudder is removably attached to one of the elongated beams, the advantage is achieved that the rudder may be removed, for instance when the vessel is to be converted from a catamaran to a kayak.

Claims

1) A waterbome vessel (1) for sport and leisure, which may be converted from a vessel (1) with a combined hull to a vessel (1) with at least two separate hulls, and vice versa, which vessel (1) comprises: a) a first hull (2) with a stem (3 A) and a stem (4 A) and a main longitudinal direction from the stem (3 A) to the hull (4A); b) a second hull (5) with a stem (3B) and a stem (4B) and a main longitudinal direction from the stem (3B) to the stem (4B); c) fastening means provided in the first (2) and the second (5) hulls, so that the first (2) and the second (5) hulls may be locked to each other through the fastening means in a first position, wherein the first hull (2) is attached to the second hull (5), so that the two hulls (2, 5) are on a line where the main longitudinal direction of the first hull (2) coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull (5), and the first (2) and the second (5) hulls form a combined hull, as well as in a second position, wherein the first (2) and the second (5) hulls have been placed parallel to each other but at a distance from each other, so that the waterbome vessel has a divided hull.

2) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the fastening means comprise first fastening means for locking the hulls (2, 5) to each other in the first position, and second fastening means for locking the hulls (2, 5) to each other in the second position.

3) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d that the fastening means, for locking the hulls (2, 5) to each other in the second position, completely or partly constitute fastening means for locking the hulls (2, 5) to each other in the first position.

4) A waterbome vessel (1) according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the stem (3 A) of the first hull (2) is shaped as a female portion (6) and the stern (3B) of the second hull (5) is shaped as a male portion (7), which may be inserted into the female portion (6) of the first hull (2), so that the first (2) and the second (5) hulls thereby form a combined hull with a length exceeding the length of the first (2) and the second (5) hulls included in the combined hull.

5) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the fastening means comprise at least an elongated beam (8A, 8B) and that both the first

(2) and the second (5) hulls are provided with grooves (9) extending in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hull, and wherein the grooves (9) are located in such a way that, when the hulls (2, 5) have been combined with each other and that the male portion (7) of the second hull (5) has been inserted in the female portion (6) of the first hull (2), the grooves (9) of the hulls coincide with each other so that the grooves (9) of the second hull (5) constitute a continuation of the grooves (9) of the first hull (2), and wherein the grooves (9) further have a dimension corresponding to the dimension of the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) so that the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) may be inserted into the grooves (9) when the hulls (2, 5) have been brought together to a combined hull and thereby connect the two hulls

(2, 5); and that the fastening means further comprise locking means, provided in the hulls (2, 5) and in connection to the grooves (9), to lock the beam (8A, 8B) in the groove (9), so that the beam (8A, 8B) is locked in the groove (9) to both the first (2) and the second (5) hulls.

6) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each hull (2, 5) is provided with grooves (9) on each side of the hull (2, 5), and that the fastening means comprise two elongated beams (8A, 8B) which may be inserted into the grooves (9) on each side of the hulls (2, 5) and there to be locked to the hulls (2, 5) so that each beam (8A, 8B) is locked to both hulls (2, 5) and thereby locks the hulls (2, 5) to each other.

7) A waterbome vessel (1) according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each hull (2, 5) has at least one locking means provided at one side of the hull (2, 5), which locking means is arranged to grip a beam (8A,

8B) and to lock it, so that the first (2) and the second (5) hulls may be placed side by side and parallel to each other and be connected to each other by an elongated beam (8A, 8B) being locked in at least one locking means provided on the first hull (2) and in at least one locking means provided in the second hull (5), so that the two hulls (2, 5) may be connected to each other in a position in which the hulls (2, 5) lie side by side and parallel to each other but spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hulls (2, 5).

8) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d that the fastening means for locking the first (2) and the second (5) hulls to each other in the first position comprises: a) an arm (10A, 10B), which in a first end (11) is pivotably journalled in the first side (13) of the respective hull (2, 5) and which may be turned from an open position in which the arm has been lifted from the hull (2, 5) to a closed position in which the arm has been lowered against the hull (2, 5); b) a first tightenable clamp connection (14) in the other end of the arm (10A, 10B); c) a fastener (24) mounted at the other side (15) of the hull, in which fastener (24) the first clamp connection (14) may be removably mounted when the arm (10 A, 10B) is in its closed position; d) a beam holder (17) provided at the other end of the arm (10A, 10B), wherein one end of the beam holder (17) being located at a distance from the arm (10A, 10B) has a shape corresponding to the outer line of the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) and which, when the pivotably journalled arm is in its closed position, abuts against the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) in the grooves (9) of the hull (2, 5), so that tightening of the first clamp connection (14) presses the beam holder (17) against the elongated beam and hence fixes the beam (8A, 8B) in the groove (9); e) a second tightenable clamp connection (19) in the first end (11) of the arm (10 A,

10B), which second clamp connection (19) is provided in connection to the groove (9) on the first side of the hull, so that the second clamp connection (19) may fix an elongated beam (8A, 8B), which has been placed into the groove (9) on the first side of the hull (2, 5), and which second clamp connection (19) is arranged to be open when the arm (10A, 10B) is in its open position, and tightened when the arm is in its closed position. ) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i.z e d that the fastening means for locking the first (2) and the second (5) hulls to each other in the first position comprises: a) an arm (lOA, 10B), which at a first end(l 1) is pivotably journalled in the first side (13) of the respective hull (2, 5) and which may be turned from an open position in which the arm has been lifted from the hull (2, 5) to a closed position in which the arm (10 A, 10B) has been lowered against the hull (2, 5); b) a first tightenable clamp connection (14) in the other end of the arm (10 A, 10B) which first clamp connection comprises a clamp (20) arranged on the arm (10A, 10B), which clamp (20) is provided with one or more hooks (21) , and which clamp further has a threaded hole (22) and a screw (23) placed into the threaded hole (22), which screw is provided to work upon the arm; c) a fastener (24) mounted on the other side (15) of the hull (2, 5) with one or more recesses, grooves or additional hooks (25), into which the hook (21) or hooks (21) of the clamp (20) may be inserted, when the arm is in its closed position so that tightening of the screw (23) of the clamp connection (14) will fix the hook (21) or hooks (21) in the recess or recesses, grooves, or additional hooks 25 of the fastener when the screw (23) works upon the arm; d) a beam holder (17) provided at the other end of the arm (10 A 10B), wherein one end (18) of the beam holder (17) being located at a distance from the arm (10A,

10B) has a shape corresponding to the outer line of the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) and which, when the pivotably journalled arm is in its closed position, abuts against the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) in the grooves (9) of the hull, so that tightening of the screw (23) of the clamp connection (14) presses the beam holder (17) against the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) and hence fixes the beam (8 A,

8B) in the groove (9); e) a strap (26) in the first end (11) of the arm (10 A, 10B) , which in one end is fixed to the hull (2, 5) and in the other end is fixed to the arm (10 A, 10B), and which strap (26) is provided above the groove of the hull, so that, when the arm (10A, 10B) is in its open position, the strap permits insertion of the elongated beam intended for the groove (9), and so that, when the arm is in its closed position, the strap (26) will fix the longitudinal beam (8A, 8B) in its groove (9). 10) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the locking means comprise: a) an arm (10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D), which in a first end (11) is pivotably joumalled in the first side (13) of respective hull (2, 5) and which may be turned from an open position in which the arm (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) has been lifted from the hull (2,

5) to a closed position in which the arm (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) is lowered against the hull (2, 5), and which arm (10A, 10B, IOC, 10D) is shaped as an arcuated rail with an inner line corresponding to the shape of the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) so that the arm (10A, 10B, IOC, 10D) may at least partly surround the elongated beam (8 A, 8B); b) a first tightenable clamp connection (14) at the other end of the arm (10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D); c) a fastener (24) mounted on the other side (15) of the hull (2, 5), in which fastener (24) the first clamp connection (14) may be removably mounted when the arm (10A, 10B, IOC, 10D) is in its closed position so that, when the elongated beam (8A, 8B) is located above the two hulls (2, 5) the beam may be locked by the arm ( (10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D) on each hull being lowered against the hull (2, 5) to its closed position, so that it at least partly surrounds the beam (8 A, 8B), and thereafter the clamp connection (14) is fixed in the fastener (24) and tightened.

11) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the locking means comprise: a) an arm (10A, 10B, IOC, 10D), which in a first end (11) is pivotably joumalled in the first side

(13) of the respective hull (2, 5) and which may be turned from an open position in which the arm (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) has been lifted from the hull (2, 5) to a closed position in which the arm (10A, 10B, IOC, 10D) has been lowered against the hull (2, 5), and which arm (10A, 10B, IOC, 10D) is shaped as an arcuated rail with an inner line corresponding to the shape of the elongated beam (8 A 8B) so that the arm (10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D) may at least partly surround the elongated beam (8A, 8B); b) a tightenable clamp connection (14) in the other end of the arm (10A, 10B, IOC, 10D), which clamp connection (14) comprises a clamp (20) arranged on the arm (10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D), which clamp (20) is provided with one or more hooks, (21), and which clamp (20) further has a threaded hole (22) and a screw (23) placed into the threaded hole (22), which screw is provided to work upon the arm (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D). c) a fastener (24) mounted on the other side (15) of the hull (2, 5) with one or more recesses, grooves or additional hooks (25), into which the hook (21) or hooks (21) of the clamp (20) may be inserted, when the arm (10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D) is in its closed position so that tightening of the screw (23) of the clamp connection

(14) will fix the hook (21) or hooks (21) in the recess or recesses (25), grooves, or additional hooks (25) of the fastener when the screw (23) works upon the arm (10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D) so that the beam (8 A, 8B) may be fixed when the arm (10 A, 10B, 10C, 10D) on each hull (2, 5) at least partly surrounds the beam (8 A, 8B) and the arm is in its closed position by the hook (21) or hooks (21) of the clamp (20) being inserted into the recess or recesses (25) of the fastener (24), and thereafter the screw (23) of the clamp connection (14) is tightened so that the screw (23) of the clamp connection (14) works upon the arm (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D).

12) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 10 or 11 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each hull (2, 5) is provided with at least two sets of locking means provided at a distance from each other in the main longitudinal direction of the respective hull (2, 5), so that the hulls (2, 5) may be locked to each other in the second position through at least two elongated beams (8A, 8B).

13) A waterbome vessel (1) according to any of the claims 10, 11 or 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the vessel further comprises a mast (27), and that the elongated beam (8 A, 8B) or, if more than one beam is used, one of the elongated beams (8A, 8B) is provided with a fastening device (28) for the mast (27), so that the foot (29) of the mast (27) may be removably mounted into the elongated beam (8A, 8B). 14) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the mast (27) is a two-part mast (27).

15) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the vessel (1) further comprises a plurality of stays (30) as well as fastening points (31) for the stays (30), which fastening points (31) are provided both on the mast and on the hulls (2, 5) so that the mast (27) may be further fixed by the stays (30) being fixed in their fastening points (31) in the hulls (2, 5) and the mast (27) and thereby connecting the mast (27) with the hulls (2, 5), and that at least some of the fastening points (31) have been provided with means for stretching the stays (30) when they connect the mast (27) and the hulls (2, 5).

16) A waterbome vessel (1) according to any of claims 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that each of the hulls (2, 5) is provided with a centreboard (32) placed on an outer side of the hull (2, 5) so that the centreboard (32) is placed asymmetrically at the hull (2, 5).

17) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the centreboards (32) have a common mechanism (33) for raising and lowering, respectively, the centreboards (32), so that, when the hulls are locked to each other in the second position, the centreboards (32) may be manoeuvred together as one unit.

18) A waterbome vessel (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel (1) further comprises a rudder (34) and a fastening device (35) for securing the rudder (34) to the elongated beam or, if several elongated beams are used, to one of the elongated beams used to lock the hulls to each other in the second position, so that the rudder (34) thereby may be mounted on the beam, when the hulls (2, 5) are locked to each other in the second position, wherein the first and the second hulls (2, 5) are located parallel to but spaced from each other. 19) A waterbome vessel (1) according to claim 18, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the stem of one of the hulls (2, 5) preferably has one or more fasteners (36) for mounting the rudder (34), so that the rudder (34) may be mounted to the vessel, when the two hulls (2, 5) have been locked to each other in the first position, wherein the two hulls (2, 5) are on a line where the main longitudinal direction of the first hull (2) coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull (5), and the first (2) and the second (5) hulls form a combined hull.

20) A waterbome vessel (1) according to any of claims 18 or 19, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the rudder (34) comprises a rudder blade (37) and a holder (38) in which the rudder blade (37) is joumalled, so that the rudder (34) may be lifted or turned upwards if the rudder (34) hits against a hindrance, e.g. a ground, and that a resilient means connected to the holder (38) and the rudder blade (37) is arranged to be stretched when the rudder blade (37) is lifted or turned upwards.

21) A waterbome vessel (1) for sport and leisure, which may be converted from a canoe or a kayak (1) to a catamaran (1), and vice versa, which vessel (1) comprises: a) a first hull (2) with a stem (3 A) and a stem (4 A) and a main longitudinal direction from the stern (3 A) to the hull (4 A); b) a second hull (5) with a stem (3B) and a stem (4B) and a main longitudinal direction from the stem (3B) to the hull (4B); c) a groove (9) on each long-side of the hulls (2, 5), which groove extends in a direction essentially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the hull (2, 5); d) a pair of elongated beams (8 A, 8B), the outer dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the grooves (9) on the sides of the hulls (2, 5), so that the elongated beams (8 A, 8B) may be inserted into the grooves (9) of the hulls (2, 5) and hence connect the two hulls (2, 5) to each other when the hulls (2, 5) are in a first position, wherein the first hull (2) has been connected to the second hull (5), so that the two hulls (2, 5) are on a line where the main longitudinal direction of the first hull (2) coincides with the main longitudinal direction of the second hull

(5); means (9, 10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D, 17, 18, 20, 22, 21, 23, 26) for locking the beams (8A, 8B), on one hand in the grooves (9) of the hulls (2, 5) and on the other hand in a direction perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction of each hull (2, 5), so that a beam (8 A, 8B) may connect the two hulls (2, 5) in a second position, wherein the first and the second hulls (2, 5) are placed parallel to, but at a distance from each other.