A water vehicle comprising in combination an ovoid, inflatable tube with an open bottom, rigid seat platform suspended above the water line, a dry duffel compartment, a removable, dry, duffel day-pack and detachable wet and dry stowage compartments which allow the user easy access to stowage areas during operation and ease of portage of the entire water vehicle as a lightweight tote when stowed in a removable, dry, duffel day-pack or a backpack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a water vehicle for use by fisherman, 
waterfowl hunters, scuba and skin divers, and recreational boaters and 
more particularly to a water vehicle comprising in combination an ovoid, 
inflatable tube with an open bottom, rigid seat platform suspended above 
the water line, a dry duffel compartment, a removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack and detachable wet and dry stowage compartments, which allow ease 
of portage as a lightweight tote when stowed in a removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack or a backpack. 
Single operator, multi-purpose, inflatable water vehicles are known. Such 
single operator, inflatable water vehicles include, among others, canoes, 
rafts, kayaks, and lifeboats. The present invention is particularly 
concerned with a single operator, multipurpose water vehicle intended for 
use in fishing, waterfowl hunting, scuba and skin diving and other similar 
recreation. Such a water vehicle ideally allows for ease of manual 
propulsion, with the operator's hands free to operate other equipment. 
Such a water vehicle should function with a low center of gravity yet 
allow support of the operator's pelvis and torso above the water line, 
enabling use of the water vehicle on bodies of water where the danger of 
the operator's body striking submerged objects is a concern. Such a water 
vehicle should be constructed with suitable stowage for accoutrements. 
Such a water vehicle should be easily stowed and transported upon 
deflation. 
Inflatable life boats or rafts of various types which are intended for use 
on stationary or flowing bodies of water are known. Examples of inflatable 
boats and rafts utilizing endless tubular hulls are disclosed in U.S. Pat. 
No. 2,370,069, issued to F. F. Patten; U.S. Pat. No. 2,456,086, issued to 
Schwall, Jr.,; U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,270, issued to A. G. Manthos; and U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,935,607, issued to R. R. Cantwell and H. J. Pohl. 
Examples of inflatable boats or other water devices which provide improved 
mobility and stability for operators such as fisherman have been 
previously described. The water saddle, U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,270, issued to 
A. G. Manthos, is constructed of a generally ovoid endless inflatable tube 
having an inner fabric deck with two holes through which the operator's 
legs may be submerged into the water. The operator is suspended with the 
upper body above water by straddling the flooring between the two 
leg-holes. The occupant's weight is supported solely by a thin strip of 
fabric running under the operator's groin. Prolonged periods of use will 
lead to considerable discomfort. Lack of operator back support does not 
allow optimal leverage for foot propulsion. The water saddle is not 
configured to promote ease of portage. 
The foot propelled water vehicle, U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,996, issued to 
Mickulecky, designed for use by fishermen, is constructed of a rigid oval 
buoyant shell incorporating three stowage compartments. The operator sits 
in a semi-reclined position with only his feet extending over the side of 
the water vehicle. Such operator positioning decreases thrust potential 
and leads to inadvertent splashing while kicking. The rigid construction 
makes stowage and transportation by a single individual difficult as well 
as increasing the danger of capsizing during operation. 
The buoyant bathing implement, U.S. Pat. No. 1,996,576, issued to E. C. 
Hegewaldt, and the float conveyer, U.S. Pat. No. 2,080,216, issued to H. 
R. Rea, are water vehicles which provide for an open-bottom inflatable 
endless tube upon which a rigid seat platform is suspended. Both provide 
for a low center of gravity and stability, with the seats being suspended 
below water level. Seating the operator below the water line increases 
drag, reduces mobility, precludes extended use in cold water, and provides 
greater opportunity for the operator to strike submerged objects. 
"Float tubes" are designed and marketed in the United States as 
self-propelled water vehicles intended for use by fishermen. The general 
construction utilizes a circular inflatable tube with the approximate 
dimensions of a tire "inner tube". An underwater harness suspends the 
operator up to his chest in water, allowing foot propulsion while freeing 
the hands. The operator generally wears chest-waders to remain dry and 
scuba fins to maximize propulsion. Suspending the operator as such reduces 
maneuverability because of drag. The operator's position limits use in 
water less than approximately four and one-half feet deep as well as use 
in flowing water, where the operator may strike submerged objects. 
Excessive body heat loss restricts extended use in cold water. 
The Water Otter, a water vehicle marketed in the United States and intended 
for use by fishermen, is made of two inflatable pontoons held together by 
an aluminum frame which incorporates a seat platform. There is an opening 
in the frame behind the operator into which an ice chest may be placed. 
This water vehicle is intended for use by fishermen and allows foot 
propulsion while maintaining the torso of the operator above water. The 
operator sits approximately one foot above the water's surface, resulting 
in a high center of gravity and reduced stability in rapidly flowing 
water. Only the operator's feet and ankles are to be submerged for 
propulsion, which produces suboptimal thrust efficiency. The rigid heavy 
construction precludes ease of stowage and transportation by a single 
operator. The pontoons make for difficulty in turning the craft against 
the direction of the current flow and therefore make for difficulty in 
maneuvering the craft. The vehicle is not designed for use with oars. 
What was needed was a water vehicle with a low center of gravity when 
occupied by the operator, which allows the operator's torso to remain 
above the water while simultaneously allowing foot propulsion, or 
alternatively, propulsion using oars. The water vehicle needed to provide 
an adequate amount of easy access to wet and dry stowage and be 
lightweight, collapsible, and transportable by a single operator. None of 
the above discussed prior art meets all these requirements. 
The present invention constitutes an improvement over previous apparatus 
for optimal utility during operation or portage by providing a 
lightweight, manually propelled, easily toted, water vehicle. The present 
invention is directed to overcome the aforementioned problems, thereby 
providing an improved fishing, waterfowl hunting and recreational boating 
experience. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a water vehicle which 
is suited for use by fishermen, waterfowl hunters, scuba or skin divers, 
and other recreational boaters, with emphasis on ease of use, accomplished 
by improved safety, maneuverability, access to stowage area during 
operation, increased stowage capacity, and portability by a single 
operator as an integrated lightweight tote. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a water vehicle with 
removable, partially submerged removable wet wells having access by the 
operator for live stowage of bait and fish. Another object of the present 
invention is to provide a water vehicle having stowage compartments which 
can be accessed during operation and which, upon removal from the water 
vehicle, can be incorporated into an integrated lightweight tote. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method by which a 
water vehicle with attached accessories may be stowed or transported as a 
lightweight compact shoulder tote or a suitcase tote in a single, suitably 
designed removable, dry, duffel day-pack and/or backpack. 
To achieve these objects, a water vehicle is disclosed that comprises in 
combination, an avoid, inflatable tube which is internally divided into 
forward and aft independently inflatable chambers; a rigid seat platform; 
a means of attaching the rigid seat platform to the ovoid, inflatable 
tube; a dry duffel stowage compartment; a means of attaching the dry 
duffel stowage compartment to the ovoid, inflatable tube; a removable, 
dry, duffel day-pack; a means of attaching the removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack to the dry duffel stowage compartment; a plurality of removable 
wet wells; a means of attaching the removable wet wells to the ovoid, 
inflatable tube; a means of attaching the removable wet wells to the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack; a backpack; a means of attaching the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack and removable wet wells to the backpack; a 
means of securing the backpack within the dry duffel stowage compartment; 
a plurality of circular oar locks; a plurality of oar clips complimentary 
to the circular oar locks; a means of attaching the oar locks to the 
ovoid, inflatable tube; a fly apron; and a means of attaching the fly 
apron to the ovoid, inflatable tube. 
The bottom of the water vehicle is open from the stern of the boat, the 
direction in which the operator faces, forward up to and under the rigid 
seat platform. This open-floored configuration allows the operator's legs 
to extend into the water for propulsion. 
The bottoms of the removable wet wells extend below the water's surface 
when the removable wet wells are attached to the water vehicle and are 
constructed of a water porous mesh which allows water to enter into and 
circulate through the removable wet wells, and allowing for the stowage of 
live fish or bait. The tops of the removable wet wells have midline 
zippers which allow ease of access therein during water vehicle operation. 
The removable wet wells are secured to the water vehicle by a plurality of 
complementary buckles located on both ends of the removable wet wells. The 
female halves of the buckles, are permanently attached to the ends of the 
removable wet wells, and complimentary male halves of the buckles are 
permanently attached to the stern interior aspect of the ovoid, inflatable 
tube. The removable wet wells attach to the interior lateral wall of the 
water vehicle and extend from the stern margin of the rigid seat platform 
to the stern of the water vehicle, allowing ease of access to the 
removable wet well contents by the operator during water vehicle 
operation. 
The removable wet wells may be removed from the water vehicle and secured 
to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack for transport of the removable wet 
wells and contents without the risk of soiling the contents of the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack or the backpack. 
A plurality of circular oar locks and oar clips are permanently attached 
bilaterally to the top of the ovoid, inflatable tube. When the operator 
wishes to move the water vehicle through the water at a speed greater than 
can be achieved by foot propulsion, the operator may utilize oars. Oars 
ideally would break down, through use of a telescopic joint, into two 
pieces of equal length which allows stowage within the removable, dry, 
duffel day-pack. 
A fly apron removably attaches to the upper surface of the lateral walls of 
the ovoid, inflatable tube. The fly apron spans the entire width (port to 
starboard) of the water vehicle. The fly apron allows loose fishing line 
to be supported above the water, preventing tangling of said line in the 
operator's legs during raft operation. The fly apron attaches to the upper 
surface of the lateral walls of the ovoid, inflatable tube by means of 
fabric fasteners. 
The forward and aft air chambers of the ovoid, inflatable tube are 
completely deflated by releasing air through the two air valves located on 
the interior surface of the lateral walls of the ovoid, inflatable tube. 
The bow portion of the ovoid, inflatable tube (that portion positioned 
forward of the seat platform) is reflected back over the seat platform by 
creasing and folding at the forward (bow oriented) margin of the seat 
platform. Each lateral wall of the water vehicle is next folded toward the 
bow to stern midline of the water vehicle, such that the margins of the 
two lateral walls of the tube now approximate at the bow to stern midline. 
The folding process is completed by folding the rigid seat platform over 
the approximated lateral walls repeatedly in a direction moving toward the 
stern of the water vehicle. The length of each fold is determined by the 
bow to stern length of the rigid seat platform plus additional length 
added by the wrapping of the inflatable material around the rigid seat 
platform. 
The removable, dry, duffel day-pack with attached removable wet wells may 
be attached to the backpack by the fastening of a plurality of buckles, 
four female halves of the buckles being permanently attached to the front 
(side without shoulder straps) of the top of the backpack and four male 
halves of the complementary buckles being permanently attached to the 
front (side without shoulder straps) of the convex top and flat bottom of 
the removable, dry, duffel day-pack. By this method the backpack, water 
vehicle, removable, dry, duffel day-pack, removable wet wells, and various 
accoutrements may be transported by a single operator as an integrated 
tote unit. The exterior attachment of the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 
and removable wet wells to the backpack increases stowage capacity of the 
integrated backpack unit and prevents the soiling of backpack or 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack contents by the removable wet well 
contents. The folded water vehicle and collapsed oars may be stowed in the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack. The removable wet wells may be attached 
to the sides of the removable, dry, duffel day-pack by fastening the 
plurality of complementary buckles. The integrated tote may now be 
transported as a suitcase using the handle or as a day-pack using the 
shoulder straps. 
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention 
will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a 
preferred embodiment which proceeds with reference to the accompanying 
drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 thereof, it may 
be seen that the water vehicle of the present invention, has a 
configuration of a raft, including an ovoid, inflatable, tube 10 of 
flexible, lightweight, water impervious, tear resistant material such as 
natural or synthetic rubber, polyvinyl chloride, fabric reinforced rubber 
or polyvinyl chloride or Hypolon.RTM.. Suspended approximately three to 
four inches above the water line is a rigid seat platform 11 of marine 
plywood, fiberglass, or other material capable of supporting the weight of 
an operator. The rigid seat platform 11 spans the port to starboard 
distance between the interior aspect of the lateral walls 12 of the ovoid, 
inflatable tube and attaches to the lateral walls 12 by lacing to a flap 
of flexible fabric 13. 
The water vehicle will allow for water surface transportation of up to 500 
pounds of gross weight, including stowage of sufficient camping and 
sporting equipment to facilitate the undertaking of extended float trips. 
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the attachment of the rigid seat platform 11 to 
the lateral walls 12 of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 by lacing through 
holes in the rigid seat platform 11 to a flexible fabric flap 13 through a 
plurality of grommets 13a in the free edge of the flexible fabric flap 13. 
The rigid seat platform 11, is attached to the midline of the interior 
lateral walls of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 approximately equally 
distanced from the bow 35 and stern. The rigid seat platform is suspended 
approximately four inches above the water's surface when the water vehicle 
is in use. Attachment of the rigid seat platform 11 to the ovoid, 
inflatable tube 10 is accomplished by lacing grommets in the rigid seat 
platform 11 to grommets in a flexible, sturdy material attached to the 
midline of the interior lateral walls of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10. 
The flexible sturdy material attached to the midline of the interior 
lateral walls of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 extends from the midline of 
the interior lateral walls of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 the full 
length of the bow 35 to stern width of the rigid seat platform 11. The 
flexible fabric flaps 13 are permanently attached to the upper surfaces of 
the lateral walls 12. Upon the rigid seat platform 11 may be placed a 
removable fabric or molded seat 14 providing back support to the operator. 
The back of the molded seat 14 may be folded over upon the bottom of the 
molded seat 14 following removal from the rigid seat platform 11, allowing 
convenient stowage. 
FIG. 4 illustrates that the bottom 17 of the water vehicle is open to the 
water's surface, extending to the stern 15 of the water vehicle from the 
aft margin 16 of the rigid seat platform 11. Extending to the bow 35 of 
the water vehicle from the forward margin 18 of the rigid seat platform 11 
is a dry duffel stowage compartment 19 having a flexible fabric material 
floor which is suspended approximately two inches above the water line. 
The flexible fabric material floor attaches to the upper interior aspects 
of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 and to the forward margin 18 of the rigid 
seat platform 11 by lacing through holes in the rigid seat platform 11 and 
complementary grommets in the flexible fabric material floor. The dry 
duffel stowage compartment 19 as provided by the flexible fabric material 
floor may be used for the loose stowage of fishing equipment, or provide 
for the stowage of a removable, dry, duffel-day pack and backpack. 
Extending from the forward aspect of the rigid seat platform 11 to the bow 
35 and along the lateral interior aspects of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 
is a dry duffel stowage compartment 19. A flexible, sturdy material is 
attached to the top of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 extending from the 
forward aspect of the rigid seat platform 11 to the bow 35 and along the 
lateral interior aspects of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 and draping into 
the water vehicle to a level approximately two inches below the rigid seat 
platform 11. The flexible, sturdy material extends from the bow 35 to the 
bow edge of the rigid seat platform 11, where the flexible, sturdy 
material is permanently laced to the rigid seat platform 11 through 
grommets placed in the bow edge of the rigid seat platform 11 and stern 
edge of the flexible dry duffel compartment 19. The dry duffel stowage 
compartment 19 is thereby formed which is sufficiently large to 
accommodate sporting equipment that need not necessarily remain dry during 
water vehicle operation. 
A removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 is designed to fit snugly into the 
contours of the dry duffel stowage compartment 19. The removable, dry, 
duffel day-pack 36 is designed to attach to the water vehicle within the 
dry duffel stowage compartment 19 during water vehicle operation. The 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 is configured utilizing a convex 
contour complementary to the interior curvature of the ovoid, inflatable 
tube 10. The removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 has a flat base which 
complements the straight edge contour edge of the rigid seat platform. A 
zipper extends from the base of the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 
around the edge of the convex contour of the removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack 36 and back to the base, which zipper allows access into the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 by the operator when the removable, 
dry, duffel day-pack 36 is secured into place within the dry duffel 
stowage compartment 19. The removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 is of 
suitable dimensions to allow the deflated and folded water vehicle and 
accoutrements to completely fit within for stowage and/or portage. When 
the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 is removed from the dry duffel 
stowage compartment 19, the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 may be worn 
on the back of the operator through the use of adjustable shoulder straps 
43 incorporated onto the back of the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 or 
carried as a suitcase tote by means of an incorporated handle 44. The 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 also has a plurality of buckles 45 
which allow attachment of removable wet wells 21 as integrated components 
to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 for ease of stowage and portage. 
FIG. 4 further illustrates the insertion of the dry duffel day-pack 36 or 
the integrated tote composed of the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 and 
the backpack 37 into the dry duffel stowage compartment 19 of the water 
vehicle as well as the insertion of the removable wet wells 21 into the 
water vehicle. A plurality of fabric fastener tabs 48 permanently attach 
to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36. The tabs 48 mate with 
complementary fasteners 49 permanently attached to the removable, dry, 
duffel day-pack 36. The tabs 48 also mate with additional fasteners 50 on 
the upper surface of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 of the water vehicle 
above the dry duffel stowage compartment 19. Fastening the integrated tote 
within the dry duffel stowage compartment 19 allows for stowage of 
considerable amounts of sporting goods and camping equipment during water 
vehicle operation. 
A plurality of removable wet wells 21 intended for the stowage of live bait 
or fish attach to the interior aspect of the lateral walls 12 of the 
ovoid, inflatable tube 10 through the use of a plurality of buckles. The 
plurality of removable wet wells 21 complement the convex curvature of the 
interior lateral walls of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10. The female 
portions 22 of the buckles are permanently attached to the removable wet 
wells 21 and the complementary male portions 23 of the buckles are 
permanently attached to the interior aspects of the oviod, inflatable tube 
10. The removable wet wells 21 when attached to the ovoid, inflatable tube 
10, are partially submerged in the water during operation of the water 
vehicle. The bottoms of the removable wet wells 21 are composed of a nylon 
mesh material 24, allowing water to enter and circulate through the 
removable wet wells 21, keeping bait or caught fish alive. On the top of 
each removable wet well 21 is a zipper 25 which allows access to the 
contents of the removable wet wells 21 during water vehicle operation. 
A fly apron 26 of a flexible fabric with a tape measure 27 is secured to 
the upper surface of the lateral walls 12 of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 
through the use of a plurality of fabric fasteners 28, and stretches 
across the port to starboard dimension of the water vehicle. The fly apron 
26 allows fly fishermen to collect stripped fishing line between casts, 
thereby keeping stripped line out of the water and preventing tangling. 
A plurality of circular oar locks 29 are premanently cemented to the upper 
surfaces of the lateral walls 12 of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10, just 
aft of the rigid seat platform 11, and allow the operator to row the water 
vehicle. When not in use, the oars may be secured by clipping the oar 
handles into a plurality of forward mounted oar clips 32 permanently 
cemented to the upper surfaces of the lateral walls 12 of the ovoid, 
inflatable tube 10. 
A fishing rod fastener may also be permanently cemented to the upper 
surface of the lateral walls 12 of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10. 
Two air valves 34 allow for inflation and deflation of the two separate 
internal air compartments of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10. 
FIG. 5 illustrates an integrated tote comprising a removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack 36, backpack 37, and removable wet wells 21. A plurality of 
complementary buckles 22, 45 allow the removable wet wells 21 to attach to 
the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36. A plurality of buckles 46, 47 
allow the backpack 37 to attach to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36. 
FIG. 5 illustrates the back 38 of the backpack 37 with a set of shoulder 
straps 39, a waist strap 40, and a handle 41 permanently affixed. A 
portion of a removable wet well 21 can also be seen in FIG. 5 as attached 
to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36. The removable wet wells 21 and 
the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 are attached to the front aspect of 
the backpack 37. The water permeable nylon mesh 24 comprising the bottom 
of the removable wet wells 21 are shown. FIG. 5 illustrates the back 42 of 
the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 with shoulder straps 43 and handle 
44 permanently affixed. A removable wet well 21 is shown attached and a 
second removable wet well 21 detached from the sides of the removable, 
dry, duffel day-pack 36 through the use of a plurality of complementary 
buckles 22, 45, the female portions 22 being permanently attached to the 
removable wet wells 21 and the male portions 45 being permanently attached 
to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36. The removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack 36 further attaches to the front of the backpack 37 through a 
plurality of complementary buckles, the female portions 46 being 
permanently attached to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 and the 
male portions 47 being permanently attached to the backpack 37. 
A backpack 37 provides stowage of the deflated water vehicle, detachable 
seat, collapsible oars, air pump, and other ancillary sporting equipment. 
The backpack 37 attaches to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 during 
water vehicle operation. The backpack 37 attaches to the water vehicle 
above the dry duffel stowage compartment 19 through attachment to the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36, said removable, dry, duffel day-pack 
36 being secured to the water vehicle using the fabric (Velcro.RTM.) 
fasteners. The backpack 37 attaches to the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 
36 through the use of a plurality of buckles 46, 47, four female halves of 
complementary buckles 46 being permanently affixed to both sides of the 
top and bottom of the backpack 37 (as defined when backpack is carried 
upon the back of the operator). The female buckle halves 46 mate with 
complementary male buckle halves 47 which are permanently affixed to the 
front surface (side without shoulder straps) of the removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack 36. The plurality of buckles affixed to the backpack 37 and 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 afford a fastening means by which the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 and removable wet wells 21 may be 
attached as an integrated unit to the backpack 37. By fastening the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 to the front (side without shoulder 
straps) of the backpack 37, the removable wet wells 21 may be attached to 
the sides of the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 using the plurality of 
buckles 45, allowing the operator to carry the backpack 37, removable, 
dry, duffel day-pack 36 and removable wet wells 21 as an integrated tote. 
FIG. 6 illustrates an operator of the water vehicle sitting upon a 
removable seat 14 placed upon the rigid seat platform 11 with his back 
facing the bow 35 of the water vehicle. The operator's legs are intended 
to be extended into the water through the bottom 17, allowing foot 
propulsion of the water vehicle while allowing the operator's hands to 
remain free for fishing or waterfowl hunting. The operator will ideally 
wear leg or chest waders and scuba fins to maximize comfort and propulsion 
efficiency. Alternatively the operator may use oars for propulsion after 
raising his legs out of the water and resting his feet upon the stern 
portion 15 of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10. 
FIG. 7 illustrates a method by which the deflated water vehicle, with 
removable wet wells 21, dry duffel-day pack 36, and backpack 37 all 
removed may be folded and inserted into the removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack along with ancillary components, for example, a removable seat 
14, oars, and fly apron 26. The removable seat 14, removable wet wells 21, 
oars, removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36, and backpack 37 are removed from 
the water vehicle and the water vehicle is deflated. The bow 35 of the 
water vehicle is folded toward the stern 15 using a single fold made at 
the bow margin 18 of the rigid seat platform 11. The two lateral walls 12 
of the water vehicle are then folded toward the bow to stern midline of 
the water vehicle, overlapping each other as defined by two parallel folds 
13 one each on each side of the water vehicle, which parallel folds 13 are 
correspondingly defined by the port to starboard width of the rigid seat 
platform 11. The deflated water vehicle is then folded toward the stern 15 
using fold widths 52 defined by the forward to aft length of the rigid 
seat platform 11. The completely folded water vehicle will have a 
rectangular shape closely approximating the port to starboard width 54 and 
forward to aft length 52 of the rigid seat platform 11. 
The front 55 of the dry duffel-day pack 36 may be unzipped and reflected 
back, allowing the folded water vehicle and ancillary water vehicle 
components to be stowed within. The folded water vehicle and ancillary 
components may then be transported by an operator within an integrated 
tote using the shoulder straps 43 or carried as a suitcase tote using the 
handle 44. Alternatively, the folded water vehicle and ancillary 
components may be stowed in the backpack 37, allowing the removable, dry, 
duffel day-pack 36, with the removable wet wells 21 attached, to serve as 
additional stowage compartments attached to the front of the backpack 37. 
Above are described the preferred embodiments for components of the water 
vehicle. Other embodiments of various components can also be utilized. 
Other embodiments include encasement of the rigid seat platform 11 in a 
flexible, sturdy material, which material extends beyond the lateral 
aspects of the seat and are permanently attached to the interior lateral 
walls of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10. Another embodiment allows for the 
rigid seat platform 11 to merely sit across the lateral walls of the 
ovoid, inflatable tube 10 by the use of a frame which would curve up from 
the midline and over the top surface of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10. 
Another embodiment of the dry duffel stowage compartment 19 would allow a 
flexible, sturdy fabric constituting the floor of the dry duffel stowage 
compartment 19 to be permanently attached to the midseam of the entire 
interior (concave) aspect of the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 and the forward 
aspect of the rigid seat platform 11 through the use of grommets and 
lacing. In another embodiment, the floor of the dry duffel stowage 
compartment 19 may be composed of a rigid material secured in place 
through the use of detachable connectors. Such an embodiment would afford 
a suspended dry duffel stowage compartment platform which could be easily 
unfastened from the ovoid, inflatable tube 10 and seat platform 11. 
In another embodiment, the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 could be 
suspended above the water within the area defined as the dry duffel 
stowage compartment 19 through the use of detachable connectors, 
eliminating the need for a dry duffel stowage compartment flooring. 
Another embodiment for attachment of the removable wet wells 21 to the 
water vehicle includes two adjustable cinch straps which encircle the 
entire ovoid, inflatable tube 10 and attach each to the bow and stern of 
the removable wet wells 21. 
The combined elements of overall dimensions of the water vehicle, of the 
rigid seat platform 11, use of lightweight flexible and inflatable 
materials, use of collapsible oars, use of removable wet wells 21, use of 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack, overall stowage capacity of the 
removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36 and backpack 37, complementary 
attachment of the removable wet wells 21 to the removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack 36, and attachment to the backpack 37 provide ease of stowage of 
the entire water vehicle, accessories, and stowage components as a 
lightweight, integrated tote. 
Specific features of the invention as described above additionally allow a 
method by which the water vehicle, accessories, and stowage compartments 
may be stowed and transported as a lightweight, integrated tote. 
Specifically, the invention provides a water vehicle with lightweight 
removable wet and dry stowage compartments which are equipped with 
attachment means such that the removable wet wells 21, removable, dry, 
duffel day-pack 36 and backpack 37, upon removal from the water vehicle, 
may be attached to one another to allow portage by a single operator as an 
integrated pack unit. The removable wet wells 21 are removed from the 
water vehicle by unfastening the forward and aft buckles 45. The backpack 
37 is removed from above the dry duffel stowage compartment 19 by 
unfastening the four buckles 46, 47 designed to secure the backpack 37 to 
the removable, dry, duffel day-pack 36. The removable, dry, duffel 
day-pack 36 is removed from the dry duffel stowage compartment 19 by 
unfastening the three fabric fasteners. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention. It will be understood that each of the elements described 
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in 
other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
Further, as numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those 
skilled in the art, such as, but not restricted to, alternative means of 
affixing removable wet wells, dry duffel-day pack and backpack to the 
water vehicle and to each other, and the provision of additional stowage 
compartments to the water vehicle and means of appending such compartments 
upon the tote, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact 
construction, configuration, and operation shown and described, and 
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted 
to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.