Patent ID: 6739278
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: B63B,B63C

Abstract:
A folding rigid-bottom boat for routine and emergency use by occupants as an auxiliary watercraft comprising:(a) a hull comprised of complementary rigid bow and rigid stern elements including respective transversely-extending mating bulkhead elements; (b) complementary rigid hinge elements cooperating for pivotally connecting said mating bulkhead elements together for permitting said bow and stern elements to be folded onto themselves into a storage configuration and away from each other into an unfolded use configuration, wherein said mating bulkhead elements are joined together by the complementary rigid hinge elements to form a centrally-disposed joint defining a single bulkhead extending along said joint; and (c) flexible topsides secured to said hull along at least port and starboard sides of said hull and deployable for providing a freeboard extending upwardly from the hull and for further providing rigidity to the hull when said boat is in the unfolded use configuration, wherein the flexible topsides are unconnected to and independent of the rigid hinge elements; and (d) a sole compartment sealable against water intrusion positioned in the bottom of the hull to define with the hull a double bottom, the sole compartment having a volume sufficient to displace sufficient water to keep the boat with a payload afloat in the absence of a waterproof barrier in the joint between the bow and stern elements.