Folding boat that converts to a car top carrier and storage container

Abstract

A more utilitarian folding boat, comprising two identical rigid halves that are held in a parallel position by a single longitudinal hinge fixed to opposing flanges, running from transom to bow, and braces placed on or otherwise affixed to the fore and aft flanges and seat mounts, that when assembled form a twin hull water craft. The hinge affixed to the hull sections allow the sections to be rotated around a centerline of the open boat to then mate at their flange in the same manner as a clam, to form a sealed container suitable for transport on the roof of an automobile. The interior of the closed boat is intended to be used to contain components of the boat and camping gear or other items to be transported by vehicle or stored by standing the closed container on its end like a locker.

What I claim as my invention is:  
     
         1 . A portable folding boat that can interchangeably function as a car top carrier for camping gear or other items or a storage vessel comprising: 
 a. two identical hull sections fabricated each as single rigid pieces with a flange at the open face;    b. the hull sections being connected by a permanent hinge at their flange along the length of said hull sections from the aft most to the fore most points of the hull;    c. brace pieces that removably attach one to each of the forward and rear flanges across the entire width of the boat to support and stabilize the boat in an open position and allow for the mounting of a small motor for propulsion;    d. at least one seat board upon which seats may be mounted, removably attached athwart the vessel to the outer flanges, at intervals suitable for occupants and to aid in the balance of the craft;    
     
     
         2 . Said hinge to allow the hull sections to reside in a parallel plane forming left and right hulls when open and the rotation of one hull around the axis of the hinge to a flange upon flange mating for a closed car top carrier configuration; 
 a. in car top carrier form the device may be used to contain and/or transport material in a sealed environment;    b. closed configuration does not rely upon towing apparatuses for transport or launching;    c. owing to light weight closed configuration may be placed on the roof of an automobile by hand without the use of other mechanical contrivance, and affixed there for transport;    
     
     
         3 . Boat hardware provided is common and configured to use without the use of tools for ease of assembly and convenient replacement.