Pontoon boat

Abstract

A multi-hull boat having a plurality of pontoons. The pontoons are coupled together by cross members that are recessed within the pontoons. A multi-panel floor or deck is coupled to the pontoons with joints that receive edges of the panels.

1 . A boat comprising: a plurality of hulls; 
 a plurality of hulls;    a plurality of cross members interconnecting the hulls together; and    the hulls including top sides defining the recesses for receiving the cross members.    
   
   
       2 . The boat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the hulls includes a pontoon having two elongated, spaced apart top rails, the rails defining recesses in the form of notches for receiving the cross members.  
   
   
       3 . The boat of  claim 2 , wherein storage compartments are defined within the pontoons between the rails.  
   
   
       4 . The boat of  claim 2 , wherein the rails define deck supporting surfaces that are flush with deck supporting surfaces defined by top sides of the cross members.  
   
   
       5 . The boat of  claim 1 , wherein the cross members are secured to the hulls by fasteners, at least portions of the fasteners being embedded within the hulls.  
   
   
       6 . The boat of  claim 1 , further comprising a deck secured to the cross members by joints, the deck including a plurality of panels having edges received within receptacles defined by the joints.  
   
   
       7 . The boat of  claim 6 , wherein the cross members define top slots, wherein the joints include lower portions positioned within the cross members, upper portions positioned above the cross members, and intermediate portions that extend through the top slots in the cross members between the upper and lower portions.  
   
   
       8 . A boat comprising a plurality of hulls; 
 a deck supported above the hulls, the deck including a plurality of panels; and    a plurality of joints for securing the panels of the deck to the hulls, the joints including receptacles for receiving edges of the panels.    
   
   
       9 . The boat of  claim 8 , wherein the hulls are interconnected by cross members, and the joints interlock with the cross members.  
   
   
       10 . The boat of  claim 9 , wherein the joints are generally parallel to the cross members and include portions received within the cross members and portions that extend upwardly through the cross members.  
   
   
       11 . The boat of  claim 8 , wherein the edges of the panels are defined by lips that are stepped-down relative to main bodies of the panels.  
   
   
       12 . A boat comprising: 
 a hull;    a deck supported on the hull;    a step provided within the hull;    a cutaway region provided within the deck for providing access to the step;    a boarding ladder connected to the hull adjacent to the step, the boarding ladder being movable from between a stowed position and a board/un-board position; and    the boarding ladder including a portion that blocks the cutaway portion of the deck when in the stowed position.