A watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft (1) is provided having a primary deck (3) that is carried on two primary buoyant members, such as pontoons (5, 7), that are substantially parallel to one another. The watercraft (1) includes a pair of deck extensions (13, 15) that are articulately connected to opposing sides of the primary deck (3). Each deck extension (13, 15) may comprise a number of extension segments (21, 23) that in concert form the deck extension. The watercraft (1) is operable between a deployed condition in which the deck extensions (13, 15) are substantially coplanar with the primary deck (3), thereby extending the primary deck (3) and a stowed condition, in which the deck extensions (13, 15) are raised substantially above the primary deck (3) with the extension segments (21, 23) of each deck extension alternately folded. The deck extensions (21, 23) are each connected to an auxiliary buoyant (25) member such that, when the watercraft (1) is in the deployed condition, each deck extension (13, 15) is carried on the buoyant member (25) connected thereto.

1 . A watercraft having a primary deck that is carried on at least one primary buoyant member, and a pair of deck extensions articulately connected to opposing sides of the primary deck,
 wherein each deck extension includes a plurality of extension segments that are each articulately connected to adjacent extension segments, and   wherein the watercraft is operable between a deployed condition in which the deck extensions are substantially coplanar with the primary deck, thereby extending the primary deck, and a stowed condition, in which the deck extensions are raised substantially above the primary deck with the extension segments of each deck extension alternately folded.   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein each deck extension is provided with an auxiliary buoyant member. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft of  claim 2 ,
 wherein each deck extension is connected to an auxiliary buoyant member such that, when the watercraft is in the deployed condition, each deck extension is carried on the buoyant member connected thereto; or   wherein each deck extension is formed by an auxiliary buoyant member such that, when the watercraft is in the deployed condition, an operatively upper surface of the auxiliary buoyant member is coplanar with the primary deck.   
     
     
         4 . The watercraft of  claim 3 , wherein a width of the first extension segment corresponds to a depth of the auxiliary buoyant member so that, when the watercraft is in the stowed condition, the auxiliary buoyant member is substantially flush with the primary deck. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein each deck extension comprises:
 a first extension segment articulately connected to the primary deck; and   a second extension segment articulately connected to the first extension segment and furthermore connected to an auxiliary buoyant member,   wherein when the watercraft is in the deployed condition, the extension segments and the primary deck are coplanar, and the second extension segment is carried on the auxiliary buoyant member; and   wherein, when the watercraft is in the stowed condition, the first extension segment is folded inward resting atop the primary deck, and the second segment is folded to extend from the first extension segment in a generally operatively upward direction with the auxiliary buoyant member resting atop the first extension segment.   
     
     
         6 . The watercraft of  claim 4 , wherein, when the watercraft is configured from the deployed to the stowed condition, the first extension segment of each deck extension is folded substantially 180° inward toward a center of the watercraft, and the second extension segment of each deck extension is folded substantially 90° in an alternate rotational direction to that of its corresponding first segment,
 such that, when the watercraft is in the stowed condition, each first extension segment rests atop the primary deck, and such that an outermost surface of each respective auxiliary buoyancy member is substantially flush with the respective opposing sides of the primary deck. 
 
     
     
         7 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pair of buoyant stabilizers that are operable between a retracted condition, in which the stabilizers are held substantially against or underneath the primary deck, and an extended condition, in which the stabilizers extend outward from opposing sides of the watercraft, substantially parallel to the primary deck, at or below a waterline of the watercraft. 
     
     
         8 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising a canopy. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft of  claim 8 , wherein the canopy is carried on telescopic members that are operable to adjust a height of the canopy relative to the primary deck. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The watercraft of  claim 9 , wherein, when the watercraft is in the stowed condition, the height of the canopy is configurable such that the canopy lies substantially on top of the deck extensions. 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft of  claim 8 , wherein the canopy includes one or more canopy extensions that are operable to increase a coverage area of the canopy, the canopy extensions being operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition in which the canopy extensions extend outward from the canopy. 
     
     
         13 . The watercraft of  claim 9 , further comprising motorized means for adjusting a length of each telescopic member, thereby adjusting the height of the canopy. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft of  claim 8 , wherein the canopy, primary deck and deck extensions, together, form an at least partially enclosed unit when the watercraft is in the stowed condition. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant members define one or more storage compartments therein. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising motorized means for operating the watercraft between the stowed and deployed conditions. 
     
     
         18 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the watercraft is lockable in the stowed condition. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the watercraft is configurable as a partially tented housing unit when in the deployed condition. 
     
     
         21 . The watercraft of  claim 20 , wherein the canopy and/or canopy extensions have sheet material attached thereto about an outer perimeter thereof and wherein the sheet material is configurable from a stored condition, in which the sheet material is rolled or folded and secured at or near the canopy, and a deployed condition, in which the sheet material extends from the canopy and/or canopy extensions and terminates at or near the primary deck or deck extensions. 
     
     
         22 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The watercraft of  claim 21 , wherein the watercraft is configurable as a partially tented housing unit when in the deployed condition on land when carried on a trailer. 
     
     
         30 . The watercraft of  claim 29 , wherein a space between the primary pontoon and auxiliary pontoon substantially straddles the wheel arches of the trailer when in the deployed condition. 
     
     
         31 .- 33 . (canceled)