Pontoon boat

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a pontoon boat adapted to receive a personal watercraft for propulsion thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the pontoon boat includes a multilevel decking defining an open bay area for receiving the personal watercraft. The multilevel decking includes a rigid support frame, a floor, at least one deck, and a front panel opposite the open bay area that extends from the floor to the deck. One or more flotation elements are releasably secured proximal the floor. A continuous surface, such as one defined by a diaphragm, is secured to the floor adjacent the open bay area. The continuous surface cooperates with the floor and the front panel to inhibit a rearward flow of cavitated water.

1 . A pontoon boat adapted to receive a personal watercraft for propulsion thereof, comprising: a floor at least partially defining an open bay area; at least one flotation element positionable proximal said floor; and a continuous surface secured adjacent said open bay area for cooperating with said floor to inhibit rearward flow of cavitated water. 
     
     
         2 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1 , including a diaphragm defining said continuous surface. 
     
     
         3 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1 , wherein said continuous surface defines a fluid receiving area proximal said open bay area for receiving a forward flow of water. 
     
     
         4 . The pontoon boat of  claim 3 , wherein said continuous surface and said floor cooperate to inhibit flow of water from beneath said floor into said fluid receiving area. 
     
     
         5 . The pontoon boat of  claim 4 , wherein said continuous surface and said floor form substantially no openings therebetween so as to inhibit flow of water from beneath said floor into said fluid receiving area. 
     
     
         6 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1 , including a support frame secured to said floor, wherein said at least one flotation element is releasably securable to said support frame. 
     
     
         7 . The pontoon boat of  claim 6 , including a deck secured to said support frame opposite said floor. 
     
     
         8 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1 , wherein said floor is formed of high-density polyethylene sheeting. 
     
     
         9 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1 , wherein said floor is formed of a polystyrene foam layer. 
     
     
         10 . The portion boat of  claim 1 , including a foam sheet defining said continuous surface. 
     
     
         11 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1  in combination with the personal watercraft. 
     
     
         12 . A pontoon boat adapted to receive a personal watercraft for propulsion thereof, comprising: a multilevel decking including a support frame, a floor secured to said support frame and defining an open bay area, and an upper deck secured to said support frame and further defining said open bay area; a front panel opposite said open bay area extending from said floor to said upper deck; and at least one flotation element positionable proximal said floor. 
     
     
         13 . The pontoon boat of  claim 12 , wherein said multilevel decking further includes a lower deck positioned between said floor and said upper deck. 
     
     
         14 . The pontoon boat of  claim 13 , comprising a continuous surface secured to said floor adjacent said open bay area for cooperating with said floor and said front panel to inhibit rearward flow of cavitated water. 
     
     
         15 . The pontoon boat of  claim 14 , wherein said continuous surface defines a fluid receiving area proximal said open bay area for receiving forward flow of water. 
     
     
         16 . The pontoon boat of  claim 15 , wherein said continuous surface and said floor form substantially no openings therebetween so as to inhibit flow of water from beneath said floor into said fluid receiving area. 
     
     
         17 . The pontoon boat of  claim 12 , including at least one winch assembly positioned adjacent said open bay area adapted for releasably securing the personal watercraft. 
     
     
         18 . The pontoon boat of  claim 12 , including at least one bumper assembly adapted for receiving the personal watercraft. 
     
     
         19 . A pontoon boat adapted to receive a personal watercraft for propulsion thereof, comprising: a multilevel decking defining an open bay area, said multilevel decking including a support frame, a floor secured to said support frame, and a deck secured to said support frame; at least one flotation element positionable proximal said floor; and a substantially continuous surface secured adjacent said open bay area for cooperating with said floor to inhibit rearward flow of cavitated water. 
     
     
         20 . The pontoon boat of  claim 19 , wherein said continuous surface defines a fluid receiving area proximal said open bay area for receiving forward flow of water, and wherein said continuous surface and said floor cooperate to inhibit flow of water from beneath said floor into said fluid receiving area. 
     
     
         21 . The pontoon boat of  claim 19  in combination with the personal watercraft.