Abstract:
A device for converting an otherwise conventional personal watercraft or into a fishing vessel having an assembly unit releasably secured to said personal watercraft. The assembly unit having rod holders, electronics mounts, and interchangeable attachment clamps specifically designed to mount to the hull of a specific personal watercraft. A stabilizing system is also provided to stabilize the personal watercraft when traveling through the water.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/514,603 filed on Aug. 3, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to personal watercraft and accessories thereof, and, more particularly, to a sport fishing conversion system for attachment to and use with a personal watercraft. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Each year for the past 10 years, the number of personal watercraft (PWCs) in use in the United States alone has exceeded 1 million. Many of these boaters are also avid fisherman—leading to the inevitable decision, “do I buy a nice fishing boat and sell my jetski, or do I keep the jetski and have less of a fishing boat?” 
     Consequently, the need exists for a system and method to convert a jetski into a fishing boat on demand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system that adapts to a personal watercraft to accommodate the storage and use of various accessories used in fishing. 
     Briefly described according to a general embodiment of the present invention, a personal watercraft sport fishing conversion system is provided that incorporates an innovative accessory mounting system that allows a user to add up to 4 rod holders, a GPS depth finder, stabilizers, and a cooler, among other things, to an otherwise conventional personal watercraft. The mounting system is easily attachable and removable, without any tools, holes, or damage to the watercraft. 
     In an alternate embodiment, a tactical package is provided for use with law enforcement in which the mounting system is compatibility with standard tactical accessories, as well as built in spot lights, flood lights, signaling light bar, and secure storage. Armor and weaponry attachments are provided as options. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a personal watercraft sport fishing conversion system is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an attachment clamp for use therewith; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view showing the profile of the attachment clamp of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of both a stabilizer system for use therewith and rear storage assembly for use therewith. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an overall assembly  100  for the front accessory mount is shown. Formed of rugged stainless steel, the structure has been designed to handle repeated abuse from waves, fishing rod strain, and transportation. The assembly  100  features at least two attachment ends  105  and at least two attachment clamps  110  (as shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2 ) hollow body welded aluminum support legs  140 , machined aluminum tie downs  150 , and a Lexan™ front splash guard  120  designed to protect sensitive GPS and fishing electronics. It is anticipated that an anodized or powder coat finish can be applied for additional corrosion protection. As illustrated in this diagram, a rod holder  130  and multiple electronics may be attached to the top surface, without interfering with the front display or side mirrors of the watercraft. The rod holder  130  of  FIG. 1  is shown capable of holding four fishing rods, however other multiples are available and anticipated. Additionally, the license numbers and watercraft sticker on the side of the jetski are not obstructed in any way. Simply route the power and transducer wires from inside the jetski up through the steering column splash  120  guard, and connect to the back of the electronic device. 
     The attachment clamp  110  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  is the core of the present design. This clamping mechanism is designed to support the entire weight of the front accessory mounting system. 
     The attachment clamp  110  having an attachment body  300 , receiving slot  310 , and securing means  320 . The attachment body  300  securely mates with the support legs  140  of the assembly  100 . 
     The attachment body  300  securely mates with the support legs  140 , yet this secured mating is releasable. The attachment body  300  may be interchanged with another attachement body  300  having an alternately designed receiving slot  310 . 
     The receiving slot  310  is specifically design to receive the hull of an otherwise convential personal watercraft. As shown in  FIG. 3  from the side view, the profile of the clamp  110  can be seen. The receiving slot  310  of  FIG. 3  is designed for the Yamaha WaveRunner™. Additional clamps  110  are anticipated as being designed for adaptation to any particular personal watercraft models, and will be interchangeable with the rest of the parts in the system. 
     The securing means  320  must secure the assembly  100  to the personal watercraft. It is anticipated that the securing means  320  will be releaseable, through the use of threaded securing means. However, other securing means are anticipated. The assembly  100  and securing means  320  must also support the device through waves, trolling rod strain, and trailer transportation of the personal watercraft to and from its storage location and point of use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an stabilizer system  400  is shown as an optional attachment in which pivotable stabilizer arms  410  are provided that can be affixed to the sides of the watercraft and used to reconfigure the hull as a miniature catamaran. This design adds stability when anchored or drift fishing. Some jetski models are inherently more stable than others, but with the stabilizers affixed and extended, every model of jetski becomes as stable as a small fishing boat. When it&#39;s time to head back to shore, simply stow the stabilizers by collapsing them inward. 
     Further referring to  FIG. 4 , a rear storage assembly  420  is shown. Such an assembly allows attachment of a full cooler, commonly used to store any freshly caught game fish. The rear storage assembly clamps to the jetski and positions the cooler in the best possible location—slightly aft of the center of gravity, on the rear swim platform of the jetski. This location is the most stable when transporting heavy items through rough waves. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In operation, the present invention allows a personal watercraft to be converted to a sport fishing craft by attachment of an accessory mounting system that allows a user to add up to 4 rod holders, a GPS depth finder, stabilizers, and a cooler, among other things, to an otherwise conventional personal watercraft. The mounting system is easily attachable and removable, without any tools. 
     As described above, a preferred embodiment, as anticipated at the time of filing, is identified and described as exemplary of the teachings of the present invention. However, the disclosure is not intended to be narrowly construed by this exemplary embodiment, as one skilled in the art would know that the operational and functional equivalent of many of the components, systems, steps and processes taught herein could be modified or replaced by equivalent components, systems, steps and processes and still remain within the spirit and teachings of the present invention. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the present system allows for the design and conjunctive use of a number of accessories designed to mount on the accessory mounting system. Ruggedized tackle boxes, minnow saver shock dampening live wells for bait transportation, and anchoring systems are all anticipated. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.