System for converting a paddleboard into a gigging vessel

A system for converting a paddleboard into a gigging vessel includes a standard stand-up paddleboard outfitted with a conversion system. The conversion system includes a pair of opposing pontoons, a pair of opposing guards each adjacent to one pontoon, and retaining arms and retaining straps for securing pontoons and guards to the stand-up paddleboard. The system includes a pair of wheels that can be lowered for transportation across land, and raised for use in aquatic environments; lights; and a storage compartment for items and captured fish. In one embodiment the pontoons and guards can be folded up for transportation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field

The present invention relates to fishing-related vehicles, and more specifically, to a system for converting a stand up paddleboard into a gigging vessel.

Related Art

Flounder fishing using a spear, also known as “gigging”, is a popular pastime in some areas of the world. Flounders are laterally compressed, bottom hugging fish that are typically found in shallow areas at night. Gigging typically involves trolling shallow waters at night with a powerful light to illuminate the bottom where the flounder lay. When a flounder is detected, the fisherman uses a specially designed spear to stab and retrieve the fish. Gigging vessels are typically smaller flat-bottomed boats, such as Jon Boats, that can navigate shallow water, and that lend themselves to the fisherman standing up to peer over the edge of a vessel in order to search the illuminated bottom for flounder.

Stand up paddleboards (“SUPs”) are large surfboard shaped floating boards that are typically propelled by a user with a single paddle. Relative to a Jon Boat a SUP is likely to be less expensive, easier to transport, and more maneuverable. However, the minimalist design of a SUP doesn't reasonably lend itself to gigging based on the SUP's instability in water, lack of storage space, and because it doesn't have lights.

As can be seen, there is a need for a system that combines the stability and features of a Jon Boat, but has the maneuverability and ease of transportation of a SUP. It is preferable that this system incorporates a standard SUP, is easy to use and transport, is stable and maneuverable in the water, and can easily be set up and broken down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for converting a paddleboard into a gigging vessel includes a standard stand-up paddleboard outfitted with a conversion system. The conversion system includes a pair of opposing pontoons, a pair of opposing guards each adjacent to one pontoon, and retaining arms and retaining straps for securing pontoons and guards to the stand-up paddleboard. The system includes a pair of wheels that can be lowered for transportation across land, and raised for use in aquatic environments; lights; and a storage compartment for items and captured fish. In one embodiment the pontoons and guards can be folded up for transportation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention pertains to a gigging vessel that includes a SUP and a conversion system. The conversion system generally includes a pair of pontoons that are held at a distance from each other using a pair of rigid, optionally hinged, adjustable retaining arms; a guard that is hollow from the bottom; a pair of straps for securing a SUP to the system; a removable storage container including battery storage; lights integrated with pontoons; and two retractable wheels for transporting the system.

Referring toFIG. 1, gigging vessel10generally includes SUP15, and conversion system20that attaches to the SUP. All structures numbered greater than20are components of conversion system20.

Major structures of conversion system20include a pair of pontoons30and guards32. Pontoons and guards are stabilized relative to each other and to SUP15by front retaining arm40and back retaining arm41, which are constructed of a rigid material such as metal, plastic, carbon fiber, fiberglass or composites. As the names imply, front retaining arm40stabilizes pontoons and guards towards the front (nose end) of the SUP, while back retaining arm41stabilizes pontoons and guards towards the back (tail end) of the SUP. The length of each retaining arm is adjustable in order to accommodate SUP's of various widths, for example 29″ to 35″ wide. Adjustability may be provided by telescoping retaining arms, or other means.

Two wheel arms60, each terminating in a single wheel65, are each pivotably attached to opposing inner surfaces of pontoons30. As depicted inFIG. 1, wheels in raised position are out of the way so gigging spear is substantially unencumbered along length of pontoon.

Referring still toFIG. 1, storage70is positioned at the rear end of SUP15, and includes wiring36that carries power to lights35. Storage70preferably also serves as a fish box within inner compartment78. One set of lights35is attached to front region of each pontoon30, with each set of lights preferably including at least two downwardly directed LED's and at least one frontward directed LED. Left and right sets of lights are preferably controlled by corresponding left and right light switches39, located on storage70(FIG. 2).

FIG. 2shows a side view of gigging vessel10with wheels65in lowered position. This configuration allows a user to easily transport gigging vessel from one location to another over land by maneuvering handle17. Wheels65are lowered by disengaging arm release pin67and lowering wheel arm60, then reengaging arm release pin67to lock the wheel arm in position. Conversely, to prepare vessel for aquatic use, wheels65are raised by disengaging arm release pin67and raising wheel arm60, then reengaging arm release pin67to lock the wheel arm in raised position.

FIG. 2also depicts additional structures of storage70including internal sloped divider74that separates internal compartment78into forward side for fish, and rearward side for batteries (not shown) held in position with battery holders79. Sloped divider74provides a “slide” to keep captured fish from jumping out, and to shield batteries from fish. Tie down71connects top rear of storage70to SUP, preferably at the leash attachment site found on most SUP's. Optional waterproof bag75holds personal items such as phone, keys and wallet.

FIG. 3depicts the underside of the vessel with wheels65in the lowered position for use on land. Retaining straps44provide underside support to conversion system20in order to help secure it to SUP15. As shown inFIG. 1, retaining straps feed into spool45. Retaining straps are tightened by taking up slack via the spool, and retaining straps are loosened by introducing slack via the spool. In use, retaining straps are preferably taut in order to prevent unnecessary movement of conversion system20relative to SUP15.

Another notable feature of the present invention, shown inFIG. 3, is hollow underside of guard32such that each guard has downwardly facing open side34. Said another way, each guard includes two lateral walls and a connecting top wall, but no bottom wall. Thus, water freely enters guard from bottom side. This unusual configuration creates suction between guard and water beneath, which further stabilizes the vessel. Guard divider33, located on rear of guard32, lessens water resistance during forward motion of vessel.

As shown inFIG. 1, wiring36protruding from storage70enters back retaining arm41. Wire continues along pontoon30to front of vessel to power lights35. Thus, retaining arm41and pontoon30serve as electrical wire conduits.

Referring toFIG. 1, storage70is preferably secured to rear-most region of SUP by tie down71. Front of storage70is preferably secured to back retaining arm41by at least one hinge73, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown inFIG. 1, top of storage70includes slotted lid72having slot69. Slotted lid72is specially shaped for introducing a gigged flounder into storage then removing gig and simultaneously retaining flounder in storage. Sloped divider74(FIG. 2) shields battery holders and prevents captured flounder from jumping out of compartment. Sloped divider is preferably secured to slotted lid with hinges.

In a preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 4, front retaining arm40and back retaining arm41each include two distally located joints42located between SUP15and guard32. Joints42are shown on left side ofFIG. 4, but are obscured on right side ofFIG. 4. Joints allow guard32and pontoon to pivot upwardly and inwardly relative to SUP. The left side shows guard and pontoon in regular extended position for use, while the right side shows guard and pontoon that have been pivoted upwardly and inwardly at joint42. The configuration depicted on the right creates a narrower profile for the gigging vessel which may be advantageous for transporting the system, for example in the back of a truck. The depiction of one up and one down is for illustration purposes, normally both would be up, or both would be down.

In use, a user positions conversion system20such that front retaining arm40and back retaining arm41are approximately centrally positioned across top of SUP15, with guards32on either side of lateral edges of SUP, and pontoons31positioned on either side of outer edges of guards32. Retaining straps44are positioned so to span underside of SUP, with slack drawn up via spools45. Storage70is secured to back retaining arm41via hinges73, and tie down71. Batteries are inserted into battery holders79, and wiring36is attached to batteries. Wheel arms60are lowered by pulling arm release pins67. The user grasps handle17, and user rolls gigging vessel10to desired location. Upon arriving to desired location, user pulls arm release pins67, raises wheel arms60, puts gigging vessel in water, and turns on lights35using light switch39. User maneuvers the gigging vessel using a gig in a poling motion along the bottom for propulsion and turning.

Certain modifications are within the scope of this invention. By way of example, it is within the scope of this invention to include skegs62on wheel arms60, as shown inFIG. 5. Also, it is possible to use a pair of pontoons on each side, for a total of four, instead of a total of two pontoons. Also, it is possible to include a towing bar, for example constructed of aluminum tubing that runs from rear retaining arm to the nose of the vessel, so vessel can be towed by a boat.

Specifications of certain structures and components of the present invention have been established in the process of developing and perfecting prototypes and working models. These specifications are set forth for purposes of describing an embodiment, and setting forth the best mode, but should not be construed as teaching the only possible embodiment. It should be understood that all values, unless otherwise stated or contrary to common sense, are +/−10%. It should also be understood that ranges of values set forth inherently include those values, as well as all increments between.