Special needs boat configuration

Abstract

Boat configurations and implementations are provided to make it more accessible for disabled people to participate in boating, commercial or recreational. A boat engine may be positioned in front of the helm, a flat boat deck may allow access to the engine and helm by a person in a wheelchair or similar physical impairment, and a flat access to the boat deck at the stern of the boat may allow disabled people to easily get on board.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A boat configured for people using a wheelchair, the boat comprising:
 a flat main deck configured to allow access for a person using the wheelchair to substantially all locations on the main deck;   a safety locking gate at a stern of the boat to allow access to the boat for the person using the wheelchair;   an engine well configured to house an engine; and   a helm configured to house equipment to control boat operations, wherein
 the engine well is positioned proximate to a bow of the boat, 
 the helm is positioned behind the engine well toward a stern of the boat, and 
 a spacing between the engine well, the helm, and front, sides, and back of the boat is configured to allow access to the person using the wheelchair to substantially all locations on the main deck. 
   
     
     
         2 . The boat of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second deck positioned above the main deck and accessible through one or more ladders or a lift.   
     
     
         3 . The boat of  claim 2 , wherein the second deck is a canopy. 
     
     
         4 . The boat of  claim 2 , wherein the lift is an open lift. 
     
     
         5 . The boat of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a security mechanism positioned on the second deck, wherein the security mechanism is configured to provide a safe movement path for the wheelchair.   
     
     
         6 . The boat of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a security mechanism positioned at one or more of behind the helm, on a side of the engine well, in front of the engine well, and along a side of the boat, wherein the security mechanism is configured to provide a safe movement path for the wheelchair.   
     
     
         7 . The boat of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a safety locking mechanism positioned at one or more locations along the security mechanism, wherein the safety locking mechanism is configured to secure the wheelchair in place.   
     
     
         8 . The boat of  claim 7 , wherein the safety locking mechanism includes one or more of hooks, locks, S-tracks, or L-tracks. 
     
     
         9 . The boat of  claim 1 , wherein the main deck is configured to provide access to the boat for the person using the wheelchair at the stern of the boat through one or more of a ramp and direct access from a dock. 
     
     
         10 . A boat configured for people using assistive technologies, the boat comprising:
 a substantially flat main deck configured to provide access to the boat for the people using assistive technologies at a stern of the boat through one or more of a ramp and direct access from a dock;   an engine well configured to house an engine, wherein the engine well is positioned proximate to a bow of the boat with sufficient spacing between a front of the engine well and the bow, and between sides of the engine well and sides of the boat to allow access to the engine well for the people using assistive technologies; and   a helm configured to house equipment to control boat operations, wherein the helm is positioned behind the engine well toward the stern of the boat with sufficient spacing between the helm and a back of the engine well, and between the helm and the sides of the boat to allow access to the helm for the people using assistive technologies.   
     
     
         11 . The boat of  claim 10 , wherein a total length of the boat is in a range between 9 ft and 36 ft, and a total width of the boat is in a range between 5 ft and 12 ft. 
     
     
         12 . The boat of  claim 11 , wherein the helm is positioned in a range between 4 ft and 25 ft from the stern of the boat. 
     
     
         13 . The boat of  claim 12 , wherein the engine well is positioned in a range between 1 ft and 20 ft in front of the helm of the boat. 
     
     
         14 . The boat of  claim 10 , wherein the engine is an outboard motor or an inboard motor. 
     
     
         15 . The boat of  claim 10 , wherein the engine is a gas-powered motor or an electric powered motor. 
     
     
         16 . The boat of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a removable security railing positioned along one or more sides of the boat configured to allow the people using assistive technologies off the boat into water or to a smaller boat.   
     
     
         17 . The boat of  claim 10 , wherein a deck capacity of the boat is in a range between 600 lbs and 12000 lbs. 
     
     
         18 . The boat of  claim 10 , wherein a superstructure of the boat is manufactured from fiberglass, marine treated wood, composite material, or marine grade aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . The boat of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a security mechanism positioned at one or more of behind the helm, on a side of the engine well, in front of the engine well, and along a side of the boat, wherein the security mechanism is configured to provide a safe movement path for the assistive technologies, and wherein the assistive technologies include a wheelchair, a walker, crutches, or prosthetic legs.   
     
     
         20 . The boat of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a safety locking mechanism positioned at one or more locations along the security mechanism, wherein the safety locking mechanism is configured to secure the assistive technologies in place.