Patent ID: 6083062
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
A human-powered paddlewheel boat comprising:(a) two linear pontoons spaced apart and parallel;(b) a tubular frame supported on the pontoons and having an operator's seat attached to the frame for positioning the operator near the boat's center of gravity;(c) two paddle wheels, one positioned on the outboard side of each pontoon and having independent rotary drive shafts;(d) a pedal drive and means for transmitting drive to a drive axle;(e) a left and right coupling means for independently coupling the drive axle to the left and right driveshafts respectively, each coupling being actuable between released and engaged states so that when in an engaged state, rotation of the drive axle rotates its respective driveshaft, and when in a released state, rotation of the drive shaft does not rotate its respective driveshaft; and(f) steering means having a shifting fork with left and right tines for actuating the left and right coupling means respectively so that when the operator manipulates the steering means to turn the boat, the left and right shift tines actuate the left and right coupling means, the coupling on the inside of the turn being actuated to the released state and the coupling on the outside of the turn being actuated to the engaged state.