Kayak stabilizer

Abstract

A stabilizing ballast system for a kayak. A movable ballast weight is configured to be deployed below the kayak for maximal stability, and raised above the bottom of the hull in order to navigate in shallow water or when beaching the kayak. The ballast weight system is user-configurable over a wide range of weights.

1 . A watercraft stabilizing system for use in combination with a watercraft, comprising:
 a first strut and a second strut;   wherein the first strut is reversibly secured to a position on one side of the watercraft by a first articulating joint;   wherein the second strut is reversibly secured to the watercraft at a position substantially opposite the first strut, by a second articulating joint;   at least one ballast weight;   wherein the at least one ballast weight is suspended from the first and second struts;   a deployment member;   wherein the deployment member is attached to at least one of the first strut, the second strut or the ballast weight;   wherein the deployment member is configured to move the at least one ballast weight between a first position and a second position; and   wherein the watercraft comprises a hull, and wherein in the first position the ballast weight is positioned substantially below the bottom of the hull, and wherein in the second position the ballast weight is positioned substantially above the bottom of the hull.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the ballast weight further comprises a hollow body portion, wherein the hollow body portion comprises a filler port through which ballast material is admitted to the interior of the body portion, and a cap configured to engage the filler port such that ballast material contained within the interior of the body portion is prevented from exiting through the filler port. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment member comprises a user-operable line configured such that the user can operate the line to move the at least one ballast weight between the first position and second position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ballast weight comprises a plurality of ballast weight elements. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ballast weight comprises a weight in a range from about 1 pound to about 40 pounds. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of ballast weights can be configured to provide ballast in a weight ranging from about 1 pound to about 40 pounds in increments of 1 pound. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a pulley positioned between the user and the at least one ballast weight, and through which the user-operated line passes. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking member, configured to maintain the deployment member in a substantially fixed position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a winch, wherein the winch is configured to take up or release the deployment at the command of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the winch comprises one of a manual winch or a motorized winch. 
     
     
         11 . A method of stabilizing a watercraft, the method comprising:
 providing a stabilizing system, the stabilizing system comprising:   a first strut and a second strut;   wherein the first strut is reversibly secured to a position on one side of the watercraft by a first articulating joint;   wherein the second strut is reversibly secured to the watercraft at a position substantially opposite the first strut, by a second articulating joint;   at least one ballast weight;   wherein the at least one ballast weight is suspended from the first and second struts;   a deployment member;   wherein the deployment member is attached to at least one of the first strut, the second strut or the ballast weight;   wherein the deployment member is configured to move the at least one ballast weight between a first position and a second position;   wherein the watercraft comprises a hull, and wherein in the first position the ballast weight is positioned substantially below the bottom of the hull, and wherein in the second position the ballast weight is positioned substantially above the bottom of the hull;   installing the stabilizing system on a watercraft; and   moving the at least one ballast weight between the first position and second position in order to modify the stability of the watercraft.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ballast weight comprises a hollow body portion, wherein the hollow body portion comprises a filler port through which ballast material is admitted to the interior of the body portion, and a cap configured to engage the filler port such that ballast material contained within the interior of the body portion is prevented from exiting through the filler port. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment member comprises a user-operable line configured such that the user can operate the line to move the at least one ballast weight between the first position and second position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ballast weight comprises a plurality of ballast weight elements. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ballast weight comprises a weight in a range from about 1 pound to about 40 pounds. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of ballast weights can be configured to provide ballast in a weight ranging from about 1 pound to about 40 pounds in increments of 1 pound. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a pulley positioned between the user and the at least one ballast weight, and through which the user-operated line passes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a locking member, configured to maintain the deployment member in a substantially fixed position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a winch, wherein the winch is configured to take up or release the deployment at the command of the user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the winch comprises one of a manual winch or a motorized winch.