Motorless water craft

Abstract

A motorless water craft used to carry objects, or more particularly to aid hunters and hunting dogs in the retrieval of game, particularly water fowl. The motorless water craft is utilized as a trailing vessel, to be towed by, or attached to, a hunter's lead boat. Specifically, at least two pontoons are connected together, preferably in parallel orientation, by various platforms and a tow bar. The various platforms serve as a place for the dog to drop retrieved game, to ride or rest while waiting to retrieve game, and to mount or dismount the water craft. The platforms are of a design and material, such as plywood wrapped in a water proof material, that may adequately support the weight of the dog and that are able to maintain a viable connection to the pontoons. Atop the platforms there is hingedly attached a canopy, preferably in camouflaged design, within which the dog may be concealed while waiting to retrieve game. The tow bar is of a design and material, such as steel or iron, that adequately secures a tow rope, or mechanical connection, to the water craft. In addition, there is attached to a rear, side, or front portion of the water craft, a retractable ladder system for allowing the dog to safely reenter or climb into the water craft after emerging from a body of water following a retrieval.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A motorless water craft ( 10 ) used to carry objects or to aid hunters and dogs in the retrieval of game, comprising: 
 a) a flotation means, having at least two pontoons ( 12 );    b) a towing attachment portion, having a tow bar ( 18 ) and a tow ring ( 19 ) mounted atop the pontoons ( 12 ) and connecting the pontoons ( 12 ) together;    c) a set of platforms ( 20 ,  35 ,  38 ), mounted atop the pontoons ( 12 ) and connecting the pontoons ( 12 ) together;    d) a canopy ( 14 ), hingedly mounted atop the pontoons ( 12 ) and platforms ( 20 ,  35 ,  38 ); and    e) a ladder system ( 16 ), hingedly mounted to the water craft ( 10 ).    
     
     
         2 . The motorless water craft of  claim 1 , wherein the set of platforms ( 20 ,  35 ,  38 ) includes: 
 a) a bow platform section ( 20 ), secured to a top surface of a bow portion of the pontoons ( 12 );    b) a top step platform section ( 35 ), secured to a top surface of an upper portion of the ladder system ( 16 ); and    c) a riding platform section ( 38 ), secured to a top surface of a midship portion of the pontoons ( 12 ).    
     
     
         3 . The motorless water craft of  claim 1 , wherein the canopy comprises: 
 a) a collapsible frame, hingedly attached to the pontoons ( 12 );    b) a canopy skin ( 21 ), which is wrapped about the collapsible frame; and    c) a canopy fly ( 22 ), which covers a top portion of the collapsible frame and canopy skin ( 21 ).    
     
     
         4 . The motorless water craft of  claim 1 , wherein the ladder system ( 16 ) comprises: 
 a) a retractable frame ( 30 ,  31 ,  32 ), which is hingedly mounted to the pontoons ( 12 ) and platforms ( 20 ,  35 ,  38 );    b) at least one step ( 34 ), which is secured to the retractable frame ( 30 ,  31 ,  32 ); and    c) a top step platform ( 35 ), which is secured to a top portion of the retractable frame ( 30 ,  31 ,  32 ).