Abstract:
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the improved secondary navigation station of the invention comprises a horizontal surface which is suspended above the watercraft by a structural system usually comprised of aluminum tubing or equivalent, which horizontal surface may further comprise a navigation station, a seat structure, and a horizontally sliding cover, which, when it is closed position, operates in concert with said horizontal surface to create a solid weatherproof surface, but when open, allows the user or operator of the watercraft to mount a series of steps such that the user or operator of the watercraft is able to navigate the craft from an elevated position from a standing, leaning, or sitting position. The invention allows for an elevated navigation station and elevated positioning for sighting use for fishing and navigation while maintaining a low center of gravity of the watercraft.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/719,131, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 26, 2013 titled IMPROVED SECONDARY NAVIGATION STATION FOR YACHTS, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of control and navigation stations for watercraft such as yachts: specifically, the invention is directed to secondary navigation stations for boats such as, for instance, a center console vessel or other type of vessel such as a fishing vessel. The present invention is a novel combination of navigation station and covering for the console of the boat which allows a user to sit at an elevated position or stand at an elevated position while allowing the user to operate the vessel, which may typically be a fishing boat. The present invention represents an improvement in the state-of-the-art of secondary navigation stations because it allows smaller boats to incorporate a secondary navigation station which is elevated above the deck of the boat, thereby providing the advantages of a tower to those smaller vessels which heretofore may have been considered too small to incorporate an elevated tower for navigation and/or fishing use due to safety and stability concerns. 
     2. Background Art 
     It is well known in the art that fishing vessels often incorporate towers, commonly constructed of various structures comprising aluminum tubing, which allow a navigation station to be placed at an elevated position above the deck of a watercraft which allows for superior visibility when maneuvering the vessel and when sighting fish, schools of baitfish, birds, weed lines, changes in water color, and other visible indicators of the presence of game fish in the local area. Such superior visibility due to the elevated position of the observer may provide a distinct advantage when the operator of the vessel is navigating, fishing, or performing other water activities. Various structures have been used in prior art to provide this elevated station. Some of these structures incorporate navigation stations, and some are merely elevated platforms from which observations may be made. 
     It is also well known in the art of yacht design, however, that it is desirable that the center of gravity of a vessel be held as low as reasonably possible so as to increase the transverse stability of the yacht. This is especially desired in oceangoing vessels, as such vessels may often encounter waves, wind driven swells, wave chop and wind which may act independently or together to cause the craft to roll and pitch in the seas. If such rolling and pitching exceeds acceptable limits the watercraft may capsize, endangering the occupants and causing significant financial loss. Thus it is desirable that the center of gravity of a vessel be as low as reasonably possible in order to increase the stability of the watercraft, enabling the watercraft to be safely operated in heavier weather conditions than it would otherwise be able to safely operate in. It is further well known in the art of watercraft design that the addition of towers, sometimes called tuna towers, on a watercraft operates to raise the center of gravity and thus negatively affect the transverse stability of the craft. It is for this reason that larger, heavier watercraft typically may be equipped with tuna towers, and smaller, lighter watercraft typically are not equipped with tuna towers, because the smaller, lighter watercraft may be rendered unstable by the addition of such towers due to their lighter weight and the raising of the center of gravity beyond an acceptable height. 
     An example of a typical tuna tower of the prior art is depicted and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,281,732 to Irvine. This U.S. patent discloses a boat tower conversion kit for converting from a half tower to a full tower without the need for removal and/or destruction of the original half tower. A custom hardtop incorporates a central core platform with several integral reinforcing plates. The plates provide structural support for the later expansion of the half tower by adding the upper tower section and upper platforms. Leg members and latter members of the upper and lower tower sections automatically mate with one another in coaxial alignment and are structurally secured to one another through the interfacing integral reinforcing plates. Integral channels, wiring conduits and tubes provide for electrical wiring of electrical and mechanical components in conjunction with a custom platform core. The disclosure depicted in Irvine clearly shows the disadvantage of the tuna tower construction of the prior art. The tower of Irvine, when fully deployed, raises the center of gravity of the boat by virtue of the fact that the center of mass of the tower is far above the deck of the vessel. This means that the tuna tower of Irvine, which is typical of the prior art, must be only used on a large vessel of significant size and weight, typically 35 feet or larger. The tower of Irvine is not usable on a smaller, lighter craft such as watercraft in the 20 to 30 foot range because it would unacceptably raise the center of gravity of the vessel, which would lead to dramatically reduced transverse stability of the vessel in heavy seas and would likely lead to capsizing of the vessel. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a system and/or method that have one or more of the following features and/or steps, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the improved secondary navigation station of the invention comprises a horizontal surface which is suspended above the watercraft by a structural system comprised of aluminum tubing, composite structural members or equivalent structure, which horizontal surface may further comprise a navigation station, a horizontally sliding cover which may also comprise a seat which, when it is in a closed position, operates in concert with said horizontal surface to create a complete weatherproof surface; but when open, allows the user or operator of the watercraft to mount a series of steps or other structure such that the user or operator of the watercraft is able to navigate the craft from an elevated position using a standing, leaning, or sitting position. Alternatively, the user may simply use the secondary navigation station to sight for fish while another person operates the boat from the lower console. The invention allows for an elevated navigation station and elevated positioning for sighting use for fishing and navigation while maintaining a low center of gravity of the watercraft. The improved secondary navigation station of the invention therefore represents a distinct advantage over the towers and similar structures of the prior art and, as at least one advantage over the prior art, allows for elevated sight fishing or navigation, or both, for watercraft which heretofore were considered too small for such structures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment the secondary navigation station of the invention installed on a boat. 
         FIG. 2 a    depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention in which the opening is closed by the cover being disposed in a fully forward position at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means. 
         FIG. 2 b    depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention in which the structure opening is partially open by the cover being disposed in a position that is between fully forward and fully aft, allowing a user to sit on the cover and therefrom operate the watercraft using the secondary navigation station operating controls. 
         FIG. 2 c    depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention in which the opening is fully open by the cover being disposed in a position that is fully aft to the aft limit of travel of the sliding means, allowing a user to lean against the cover as a leaning post while standing on a surface of the underneath primary navigation station. 
         FIG. 3 a    depicts a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention in which the opening is closed by the cover being disposed in a fully forward position at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means. 
         FIG. 3 b    depicts a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention in which the opening is partially open by the cover being disposed in a position that is between fully forward and fully aft, allowing a user to sit on the cover and therefrom operate the watercraft using the secondary navigation station operating controls. 
         FIG. 3 c    depicts a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention in which the opening is fully open by the cover being disposed in a position that is fully aft at the aft limit of the sliding means, allowing a user to lean against the cover as a leaning post while standing on a surface of the underneath primary navigation station. 
         FIG. 4 a    depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention, and also showing the support structure and lower primary console, in which the cover is disposed fully forward at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means in order to provide a covering while a user utilizes the lower primary navigation station to operate the watercraft. 
         FIG. 4 b    depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention, and also showing the support structure and lower primary console, in which the cover is partially opened in order to provide a seat upon which the user or operator of the watercraft may sit while the user operates the watercraft from the secondary navigation station of the invention. 
         FIG. 4 c    depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention, and also showing the support structure and lower primary console, in which the cover is disposed fully aft at the aft limit of the sliding means, allowing a user to lean against the cover as a leaning post while standing on a surface of the underneath primary navigation station. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cross sectional view of the cover and the sliding means of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross sectional view of the support structure mounting plate attachment to a lower surface of the structure, and showing a preferred embodiment of the attaching hardware. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cross sectional view of the handrail mounting to the upper surface of the structure, and showing a preferred embodiment of the attaching hardware. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a top view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention with the cover, which may be a seat, is shown separately for clarity. 
         FIG. 9 a    depicts a rear view of an alternate embodiment of the secondary navigation station structure showing structure for securely locking the cover into discrete positions of travel along the sliding means in which the spring loaded pins are extended into receiving holes in the slide rails, retaining the cover in position and preventing translation of the cover along the sliding means. 
         FIG. 9 b    depicts a rear view of an alternate embodiment of the secondary navigation station structure showing structure for securely locking the cover into discrete positions of travel along the sliding means in which the spring loaded pins have been retracted, allowing the cover to translate along the sliding means. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following documentation provides a detailed description of the invention. In the figures of the drawings, the forward, aft, port, and starboard directions are indicated for reference. “Lengthwise” shall mean a direction that is parallel to the forward and aft direction as indicated in the figures of the drawings. “Occludes” shall be construed to mean “completely covering”. The “open” position shall be construed as that position wherein cover  102  is translated along the sliding means and is located at the aft limit of travel of the sliding means such that the cover is located in a fully aft position. The “closed” position shall be construed as that position wherein cover  102  is translated along the sliding means and is located at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means such that cover  102  is located in a fully forward position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention as it may be installed on a watercraft is shown. Secondary navigation station structure  112 , which comprises a structure upper surface  113  and a structure lower surface  114  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), provides a structure for the features and elements of the improved secondary navigation station of the invention. Secondary navigation station structure  112  may be preferably, but not necessarily, substantially horizontal and substantially parallel with the surface of the water. Secondary navigation station  112  is typically attached to the watercraft by a structure system comprising, for instance, welded aluminum tubing which provides a structural base upon which secondary navigation station structure  112  is securely affixed by any means known in the art for affixing a cover, or hard top, to a watercraft. Such means for securely affixing a cover or hard top to a watercraft include but are not limited to bolting, integrated fiberglass structural elements that are connected by chemical bonding, or any other known attachment means. In a preferred embodiment the secondary navigation system of the invention is affixed to four support members which may be aluminum tubing of any cross sectional shape including round, square, rectangular, elliptical or any other cross sectional shape. In a preferred embodiment of the invention four support members which may comprise port and starboard support structure aft tubing  152  and port and starboard support structure forward tubing  153  which may be affixed to structure lower surface  114  and extend in a downward direction towards the deck of the watercraft where they may be affixed to lower primary console  200 , the watercraft deck, or any other structure that is affixed to the watercraft. An exemplary means of attachment of secondary navigation station structure  112  to support structure aft tubing  152  and support structure forward tubing  153  is further depicted in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. In this manner the secondary navigation station of the invention is securely affixed to the watercraft. The particular tubing or other structural member shape, means of attachment to the watercraft or type of materials used in the supporting attaching structure may be any shape or material known in the art of watercraft construction. In this manner, secondary navigation station structure  112  is securely affixed to the watercraft at a height above deck of the watercraft sufficient to allow a user to stand underneath the lower structure lower surface  114  of secondary navigation station structure  112  with enough headroom to comfortably operate and navigate watercraft  300 . A preferred dimension for the distance from the surface upon which a user stands to operate the watercraft utilizing the controls of lower primary console  200  to the structure lower surface  114  of secondary navigation station structure  112  may be, for example, 6.5 feet or greater. However, the dimension for the distance from the surface upon which a user stands to operate the watercraft utilizing the controls of lower primary console  200  to the lower surface  114  of secondary navigation station structure  112  may be any dimension. The surface upon which a user stands to operate the watercraft utilizing controls of lower primary console  200  is depicted in  FIG. 4 a    as item  208 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , watercraft  300  has forward, aft, port and starboard directions as shown in the figure. On a typical water craft, lower primary console  200  typically comprises engine control and navigation equipment which is used to operate and navigate the watercraft. In the particular watercraft shown in  FIG. 1 , a “center console” watercraft configuration is depicted. While center console watercraft are very popular for small fishing watercraft such as the one depicted in  FIG. 1 , which may for example be a watercraft twenty-six feet or less in length, it is to be understood that the secondary navigation station of the invention may be utilized on any type of watercraft or any length of watercraft and is therefore not to be construed as being limited to center console watercraft. However, as watercraft size grows, it may be desirable to use a more traditional structure such as a tuna tower or like structure to provide an elevated siding position and secondary navigation station. The secondary navigation station of the invention may be utilized on any size watercraft. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , secondary navigation station structure  112  is a fixed to support structure aft tubing  152  and support structure forward tubing  153  as discussed below and further depicted in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. Secondary navigation station structure  112  comprises a structure upper surface  113  which forms the upper surface of the secondary navigation station of the invention. Cover  102  attaches to structure upper surface  113  by sliding means comprising port slide rail  111 , starboard slide rail  103 , port slide car  123  and starboard slide car  124  which are not identified in  FIG. 1  but are depicted and identified in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. The sliding means allows cover  102  to be slidingly engaged with structure upper surface  113  by operation of port and starboard slide cars  123  and  124  sliding within port and starboard slide rails  111  and  103 , respectively. The sliding means may have a forward limit of travel and an aft limit of travel. The forward limit of travel may be defined as the point in which cover  102  covers structure opening  109 . The aft limit of travel of the sliding means may be defined as the point at which the forward edge of cover  102  is aft of the aft edge of structure opening  109 . The translation of cover  102  by operation of the sliding means allows a user to utilize structure opening  109  to operate the watercraft by protruding the user&#39;s body through structure opening  109  such that the user may operate the watercraft from a sitting position while sitting on cover  102  or to operate the watercraft from a standing position by leaning against either the forward edge of cover  102  or the aft edge of structure opening  109 . Thus, the watercraft may be operated by a user from an elevated position, providing significant advantages to the user in sighting fish, observing the waterway for other watercraft which may be operating in the vicinity, and increasing visibility by reducing the effect of glare on the water surface. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , secondary navigation station control console  130 , which may comprise navigation and watercraft operating controls such as, for instance, steering control, engine throttles, engine gauges, navigation displays, chart plotters, and other navigation, engine, and instrumentation, may be mounted in a forward portion of structure upper surface  113  as shown. Secondary navigation station controls console  130  may be fabricated from any of the known materials used for boat construction including fiberglass, foam core fiberglass sandwich, carbon fiber, Kevlar, metal, plastic or any other material known in the art of boat construction. Secondary navigation station controls console  130  may be molded into a single piece with secondary navigation station structure  112 , or may be fabricated separately and mounted to secondary navigation station structure upper surface  113  by using mechanical fasteners such as bolts, screws or rivets; or alternatively may be chemically bonded to secondary navigation station structure upper surface  113 . The electrical and other cabling supporting the navigation, engine and instrumentation of secondary navigation station control console  130  may be routed through openings and channels provided by support structure aft tubing  152 , support structure forward tubing  153  or other structural elements as described herein. A preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention comprises secondary navigation station control console  130  preferably disposed at the forward end of structure upper surface  113 ; however alternate embodiments of the secondary navigation station of the invention may not comprise secondary navigation station controls console  130 . In an alternate embodiment in which the secondary navigation station of the invention does not comprise secondary navigation station controls console  130 , the invention is primarily usable as an elevated platform for improved visibility. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  still further, support structure horizontal tubing  157  is depicted as attaching to support structure aft tubing  152  by welding or any other known attachment means, and extending around the aft end of secondary navigation station structure  112 . One or more support structure vertical members  158  may be disposed along an upper surface of support structure horizontal tubing  157  and may be attached thereto by welding or any other equivalent affixing means. Secondary navigation station structure  112  may be affixed to the upper ends of support structure vertical members  158  as further depicted in  FIG. 6  and in the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b    and  4   c.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 a   , a perspective view of the secondary navigation station of the invention is shown. Secondary navigation station structure  112  may be fabricated from any known materials used in the art of watercraft construction including but not limited to a foam core with fiberglass layup on top and bottom, multiple fiberglass layups, carbon fiber, Kevlar, plastic or any other materials known in the art of watercraft construction. In a preferred embodiment, secondary navigation station structure  112  is comprised of multiple layers of fiberglass forming a unitary structure of sufficient strength to withstand the stresses typically encountered by watercraft. In still further alternate embodiments, secondary navigation station structure  112  may comprise a metal such as, for example, aluminum, or any other rigid structural material. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2 a   , secondary navigation station structure  112  has an outer perimeter  125  and a structure upper surface  113 . Port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  are affixed to secondary navigation station structure  112  as further depicted in  FIG. 7  and described further below. Port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  may be fabricated from any structural material suitable for watercraft construction but are preferably fabricated from aluminum tubing. Alternatively, stainless steel tubing may be used to fabricate Port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108 . Any other structural tubing of any cross-section including round, square, rectangular, elliptical or any other cross-section may be utilized to fabricate port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108 . Back rest support  105 , which also may be fabricated from any structural material known in the art of watercraft construction including but not limited to aluminum tubing, stainless steel tubing, or any other tubing of any cross-sectional shape including circular, square, rectangular, elliptical or any other cross-sectional shape, is affixed to port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  by any attachment means known in the art such as, for example, welding, riveting or use of threaded fasteners. Back rest support  105  provides structural support for back rest  104 . Back rest  104  is attached to backrest support  105  by any means known in the mechanical arts but may typically the threaded fasteners protruding through flanges having clearance holes disposed in backrest support  105  and whereby threaded fasteners such as bolts or screws protrude through said clearance holes into matching mail threaded in the aft surface of backrest  104 . Backrest  104  may comprise a boat-style cushion with a cover as is known in the art of watercraft construction and may further comprise a rigid structural plate disposed on the aft side of the backrest, within the cover, to provide rigidity and support. The structural plate may be fabricated from any material known in the art for cushion support such as wood, plastic, metal such as, for instance, aluminum, structural composite materials such as foam core with fiberglass outer layers or layered fiberglass. One or more fishing rod holders  106  may be affixed to port handrail  107  or starboard handrail  108  by any means known in the art such as welding, riveting, clamping, threaded fasteners, chemical bonding, or any other attachment means known in the mechanical arts. Fishing rod holders  106  may be fabricated from any material known in the arts for fabricating fishing rod holders such as, for instance, aluminum, stainless steel, any metal, plastic, or any other material known in the mechanical arts. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 a   , two fishing rod holders  106  are depicted as disposed aft of backrest  104  but it is to be understood that fishing rod holders  106  may be placed along port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  at any position. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2 a   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means. In this fully forward position, cover  102  covers structure opening  109  (not shown in  FIG. 2 a   ). In a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention, cover  102  completely covers, or occludes, structure opening  109  and, in a still further preferred embodiment, provides a weathertight covering over structure opening  109 . The sliding means may be any sliding means known in mechanical arts including channels with cars adapted to slide thereon, rails with cars adapted to slide there on, and any equivalent structure which may be interposed between two structures and provides a sliding mechanism. In the preferred embodiment shown, the sliding means comprises starboard slide rail  103  which is slidingly engaged with starboard slide car  124  (not shown in  FIG. 2 a   ) and port slide rail  111  which is slidingly engaged with port slide car  123  (not shown in  FIG. 2 a   ). Port slide car  123  and starboard slide cart  124  are affixed to the underneath surface of cover  102  and are adapted to be slidingly engaged with starboard slide rail  103  and port slide rail  111 , respectively, as is further depicted in  FIG. 5 . It can be seen from  FIGS. 2 a -2 c , 3 a -3 c    and  FIG. 5  that cover  102  may translate in a forward and aft direction to a forward limit of travel and an aft limit of travel and may be disposed at any point along the forward and aft travel of the sliding means. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2 a   , cover  102  may be any planar element but is preferably a seat which may be comprised of a cushion upper element and a structural element affixed to the cushion element and adapted to receive threaded fasteners. Preferably, the structural element is a planar element extending to the limits of the periphery of the cushion and is contained within an outer covering such that the seat appears as one unit with a cushion top and structural bottom. This is typical in watercraft seat construction. The use of a planar element in the bottom of the seat allows for the use of threaded fasteners to mount the seat on to other structures from the underneath side. In the present invention, a preferred embodiment of cover  102  is defined as a seat comprising a cushion top and structural element bottom that is adapted to threadingly engage mail fasteners such as bolts or screws from the underneath side. The attachment of the seat embodiment of cover  102  to port slide car  123  and starboard slide car  124  is further depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 a   , secondary navigation station control console  130  may be disposed at the forward end of secondary navigation station structure  112  as shown. Secondary navigation station control console  130  may comprise secondary navigation station engine throttle controls  120 , secondary navigation station compass  121 , secondary navigation station multifunction display  122  such as a chart plotter, and steering element  100 , which is adapted to the steering mechanism of the watercraft such that an operator may steer the watercraft using steering element  100 . A user may operate and navigate the watercraft using secondary navigation station engine throttle controls  120  and steering element  100  which comprise secondary navigation station controls console  130 . The use of secondary controls in conjunction with primary controls is well known in the engine control, navigation and watercraft construction art. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 b -2 c  and 3 a -3 c   , secondary navigation station structure  112 , which has an outer perimeter  125 , is again depicted. Port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  are affixed to structure upper surface  113  as described above. Backrest support  105  is affixed to port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  as described above, and backrest  104  is affixed to backrest support  105  as described above. Fishing rod holders  106  may be affixed to port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  as described above. Any number of fishing rod holders  106  may comprise the secondary navigation station of the invention. Secondary navigation station controls console  130 , which may comprise steering element  100 , secondary navigation station engine throttle controls  120 , secondary navigation station compass  121  and secondary navigation station multifunction display, such as a chart plotter,  122  are depicted as being disposed at the forward end of secondary navigation station structure  112 . It is not necessary that secondary navigation station controls console  130  be disposed at the forward end of secondary navigation station structure  112 ; this is simply the preferred embodiment and is the embodiment depicted in the figures of the drawings. The secondary navigation station controls console  130  may be disposed at any location on the secondary navigation station structure  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 b   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed along a point of travel of sliding means, which comprises starboard slide rail  103 , port slide rail  111 , port slide car  123  (not shown in  FIG. 2 b   ), and starboard slide cart  124  (not shown in  FIG. 2 b   ). When cover  102  is disposed at a position along the travel of the sliding means between the forward limit of travel of the sliding means and the aft limit of travel of the sliding means, structure opening  109  is revealed in whole or in part, depending upon the location of cover  102 . Structure opening  109  allows a user to protrude up through structure opening  109  from below secondary navigation station structure  112  so as to access the controls of secondary navigation station controls console  130 , to sit on cover  102 , which may be a seat, or to simply lean against the forward edge of cover  102  while standing as depicted further in  FIG. 4 c   . In  FIG. 2 b   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed along a point of travel of the sliding means such that it may be used as a seat upon which a user may sit to operate the watercraft using secondary navigation station controls console  130  and is further depicted in  FIG. 4 b   . A user may also position cover  102  at any point along the travel of the sliding means in order to adjust the position of cover  102  to be comfortable to the user as the user sits upon cover  102 . The translation of cover  102  from its fully forward position as shown in  FIG. 2 a    to its position as shown in  FIG. 2 b    is indicated by arrow  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 c   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed at the aft limit of travel of the sliding means. In this fully aft position, structure opening  109  is completely revealed, allowing a user to protrude up through opening  109  from below secondary navigation structure  112  so as to lean against the forward edge of cover  102  or the aft edge of opening  109  and to operate the watercraft from this position utilizing secondary navigation station control  130 , as is depicted further in  FIG. 4 c   . Cover  102  may also be translated to be disposed at any point of travel along sliding means such that it is comfortable for the user to lean against in the manner shown in  FIG. 4 c   . The translation of cover  102  from its fully forward position as shown in  FIG. 2 a    to its position as shown in  FIG. 2 c    is indicated by arrow  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 a   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means. In this fully forward position, cover  102  covers structure opening  109  (not shown in  FIG. 3 a   ). In a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention, cover  102  completely covers, or occludes, structure opening  109  and, in a still further preferred embodiment, provides a weathertight covering over structure opening  109 . The sliding means may be any sliding means known in mechanical arts including channels with cars adapted to slide thereon, rails with cars adapted to slide there on, and any equivalent structure which may be interposed between two structures and provides a sliding engagement. In the preferred embodiment shown, the sliding means comprises starboard slide rail  103  which is slidingly engaged with starboard slide car  124  (not shown in  FIG. 3 a   ) and port slide rail  111  which is slidingly engaged with port slide car  123  (not shown in  FIG. 3 a   ). Port slide car  123  and starboard slide cart  124  are affixed to the underneath surface of cover  102  and are adapted to be slidingly engaged with starboard slide rail  103  and port slide rail  111 , respectively, as is further depicted in  FIG. 5 . It can be seen from  FIGS. 2 a -2 c , 3 a -3 c    and  FIG. 5  that cover  102  may translate in a forward and aft direction to a forward limit of travel and an aft limit of travel and may be disposed at any point along the forward and aft travel of the sliding means. Cover  102  may be attached to cover mounting plate  102   a , and cover mounting plate  102   a  may be attached to court slide car  123  (not shown in  FIG. 3 a   ) and starboard slide car  124  (not shown in  FIG. 3 a   ) as is further depicted in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. Arrow  110  shows the direction of travel of cover  102  on the sliding means. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 b   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed along a point of travel of sliding means, which comprises starboard slide rail  103 , port slide rail  111 , port slide car  123  (not shown in  FIG. 3 b   ), and starboard slide cart  124  (not shown in  FIG. 3 b   ). When cover  102  is disposed at a position along the travel of the sliding means between the forward limit of travel of the sliding means and the aft limit of travel of the sliding means, structure opening  109  is revealed in whole or in part, depending upon the location of cover  102 . Structure opening  109  allows a user to protrude up through structure opening  109  from below secondary navigation station structure  112  so as to access the controls of secondary navigation station controls console  130 , to sit on cover  102 , which may be a seat, or to simply lean against the forward edge of cover  102  while standing as depicted further in  FIG. 4 c   . In  FIG. 3 b   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed along a point of travel of the sliding means such that it may be used as a seat upon which a user may sit to operate the watercraft using secondary navigation station controls console  130  and is further depicted in  FIG. 4 b   . A user may also position cover  102  at any point along the travel of the sliding means in order to adjust the position of cover  102  to be comfortable to the user as the user sits upon cover  102 . The translation of cover  102  from its fully forward position as shown in  FIG. 3 a    to its position as shown in  FIG. 3 b    is indicated by arrow  110 . Cover  102  may be attached to plate  102   a , and plate  102   a  may be attached to court slide car  123  (not shown in  FIG. 3 b   ) and starboard slide car  124  (not shown in  FIG. 3 b   ) as is further depicted in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 c   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed at the aft limit of travel of the sliding means. In this fully aft position, structure opening  109  is completely revealed, allowing a user to protrude up through structure opening  109  from below secondary navigation station structure  112  so as to lean against the forward edge of cover  102  or the aft edge of structure opening  109  and to operate the watercraft from this position utilizing secondary navigation station controls console  130 , as is depicted further in  FIG. 4 c   . Cover  102  may also be translated to be disposed at any point of travel along sliding means such that it is comfortable for the user to lean against in the manner shown in  FIG. 4 c   . The translation of cover  102  from its fully forward position as shown in  FIG. 3 a    to its position as shown in  FIG. 3 c    is indicated by arrow  110 . Cover  102  may be attached to cover mounting plate  102   a , and cover mounting plate  102   a  may be attached to court slide car  123  (not shown in  FIG. 3 b   ) and starboard slide car  124  (not shown in  FIG. 3 b   ) as is further depicted in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c   , a side view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention is depicted. Also shown are the support structure to which the secondary navigation station structure  112  attaches and lower primary console  200 , which contains lower primary console steering element  204 , lower primary console engine throttle controls  205  and lower primary console compass  206 . Support structure aft tubing  152  and support structure forward tubing  153  extend in the vertical direction and support and attached to secondary navigation structure lower surface  114  in order to provide a secure attachment for the secondary navigation station of the invention. Additional detail regarding the attachment of secondary navigation station structure  112  to the supporting structure is depicted in  FIG. 6 . Support structure horizontal tubing  157  is attached to support structure aft tubing  152  by any means known in the art such as, for example, welding, mechanical fasteners such as bolts or rivets, chemical bonding or any other means. Likewise, support structure vertical members  158  attached to support structure horizontal tubing  157  in the same manner and extend upward to support structure mounting plate  150 , which is attached to support structure vertical members  158 , support structure aft tubing  152 , and support structure forward tubing  153  by any means known in the art such as, for example, welding, mechanical fasteners such as bolts or rivets, chemical bonding or any other means. Bolts  154  may pass through clearance holes in support structure mounting plate  150  to be threateningly engaged with receiving male threaded holes in secondary navigation station structure  112 , as depicted in further detail in  FIG. 6 . Secondary navigation station controls console  130  which may comprise steering element  100  secondary navigation station engine throttle controls  120 , and secondary navigation station compass  121  may be disposed on the forward end of secondary navigation station structure  112 . In  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c    secondary navigation station structure  112  is shown in cross-section. Port handrail  107  is attached to secondary navigation station structure upper surface  113 . Back rest  104 , which may comprise a cushion, is attached to backrest support  105  as herein described. Backrest support  105  is attached to port handrail  107  by any means known in the art for attaching structural tubing including, for example, welding, mechanical fasteners such as bolts or rivets, chemical bonding, or any other means known in the art. Fishing rod holder  106  is attached to port handrail  107  as herein described. 
     Referring specifically now to  FIG. 4 a   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means. In this fully forward position, cover  102  covers structure opening  109 . In a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention, cover  102  completely covers, or occludes, structure opening  109  and, in a still further preferred embodiment, cover  102  provides a weathertight covering over structure opening  109 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 a    when cover  102  is disposed at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means in a fully forward position, a user typically operates the watercraft by controlling the watercraft from lower primary console  200 . The user typically stands on lower primary console standing surface  208 , which may, for example, be a deck of the watercraft. In this manner, the user or operator of the watercraft is protected from the elements by the closed cover  102  and the secondary navigation station structure  112  acting as a weather shield. 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 4 b   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed along a point of travel of sliding means between the forward limit of travel of the sliding means and the aft limit of travel of the sliding means. When cover  102  is disposed at a position along the travel of the sliding means between the forward limit of travel of the sliding means and the aft limit of travel of the sliding means, structure opening  109  is revealed in whole or in part, depending upon the location of cover  102 . Structure opening  109  allows a user to protrude up through structure opening  109  from below secondary navigation station structure  112  so as to access the controls of secondary navigation station controls console  130 , to sit on cover  102 , which may be a seat. As shown in  FIG. 4 b   , a user may operate the watercraft when sitting upon cover  102 , which may be a seat, and allowing the user&#39;s legs to protrude through opening  109 . The user may easily reach the watercraft controls comprising secondary navigation station controls console  130  and may thereby operate the watercraft. 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 4 c   , cover  102  is depicted as disposed at the aft limit of travel of the sliding means. In this fully aft position, structure opening  109  is completely revealed, allowing a user to protrude up through structure opening  109  from below secondary navigation station structure  112  so as to lean against the forward edge of cover  102  or the aft edge of structure opening  109  and to operate the watercraft from this position utilizing secondary navigation station controls console  130 . Cover  102  may also be translated to be disposed at any point of travel along sliding means such that it is comfortable for the user to lean against in the manner shown in  FIG. 4 c   . As shown in  FIG. 4 c   , a user may operate the watercraft when standing upon a surface of lower primary console  200 , whereby his torso may protrude through structure opening  109  such that the user may easily reach the watercraft controls comprising secondary navigation station operating console  130  and may thereby operate the watercraft. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment for attachment of cover  102 , which may be a seat, to the sliding means is shown. Secondary navigation station structure  112  has a structure upper surface  113  to which port slide rail  111  and starboard slide rail  103  may be attached by means of slide rail mounting bolts  140  which pass through clearance holes in port slide real  111  and starboard slide rail  103  and maybe retained by matching threaded female holes in secondary navigation station structure  112 . Port slide car  123  and starboard slide car  124  may be attached to either cover mounting plate  102   a  or directly to the bottom surface of cover  102  by slide car mounting bolts  141  which may protrude through clearance holes in port slide car  123  and starboard slide car  124  to be threadingly engaged with matching female threaded holes in cover mounting plate  102   a  or in the bottom surface of cover  102  if cover mounting plate  102   a  is not used. The use of cover mounting plate  102  is optional. If cover mounting plate  102   a  is used, cover mounting bolts  102   b  may protrude through clearance holes in cover mounting plate  102   a  to be retained by matching female threaded holes in the bottom surface of cover  102 . Secondary navigation station structure lower surface  114  is shown for reference. It can be seen that port slide cart  123  is slidingly engaged with port slide rail  111  and starboard slide cart  124  is slidingly engaged with starboard slide rail  103 . This sliding engagement provides a sliding means that allows the translation of cover  102  lengthwise as depicted by arrow  110  in  FIGS. 2 b , 2 c , 3 b   , and  3   c.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a cross sectional view of the support structure mounting plate attachment to secondary navigation station structure lower surface  114  is shown. Support structure aft tubing  152 , support structure forward tubing  153 , and support structure vertical members  158  attached to support structure mounting plate  150  by any means known in the art such as, for example, welding, the mechanical fasteners including bolts or rivets, chemical bonding or other attachment means known in the art. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , welds  151  are shown as attachment means. Bolts  154  protrude through support structure clearance holes  155  in support structure mounting plate  150  and are threadingly engaged in receiving female threaded holes  156  in structure lower surface  114  of secondary navigation station structure  112 . Secondary navigation station structure upper surface  113  is shown for reference. It can clearly be seen from  FIG. 6  that secondary navigation station structure  112  is securely attached to support structure aft tubing  152  and support structure forward tubing  153 , thereby securely holding the secondary navigation station of the invention in place on the watercraft. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross sectional view of the handrail mounting to the upper surface of the structure showing a preferred embodiment of the attaching hardware is depicted. Port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  may be attached to secondary navigation station structure upper surface  113  as shown in  FIG. 7 . In a preferred embodiment, port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  are comprised of tubing. Handrail threaded end plate  160  may be attached to the lower end of port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  by any means known in the art such as, for example, welding or chemical bonding. Handrail threaded end plate  160  may comprise a female threaded hole  161  adapted to receive handrail mounting bolt  163  which protrudes up through structure lower surface  114  of secondary navigation station structure  112  as depicted in  FIG. 7 . Handrail mounting bolt clearance holes  162  may be provided in secondary navigation station structure  112  to allow handrail mounting bolts  163  two protrude through secondary navigation station structure  112  as depicted in  FIG. 7 . In this manner, port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  may be securely attached to structure upper surface  113  of secondary navigation station structure  112 . The attachment means depicted in  FIG. 7  is exemplary. All equivalent forms of attachment means known in the art are within the scope of the claims. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a top view of a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention is shown in which cover  102 , which may be a seat, is shown separately for clarity. Secondary navigation station controls console  130  is preferably, but not necessarily, disposed at the forward end of secondary navigation station structure  112 . Secondary navigation station structure  112  has a perimeter  125 . Port handrail  107  and starboard handrail  108  are attached to secondary navigation station structure upper surface  113 . Backrest  104  is attached to backrest support  105 . Cover  102  may translate in the direction of arrow  110  by operation of sliding means as hereinbefore described. Starboard slide rail  103  and port slide rail  111  are shown for reference. Structure opening  109 , which is located preferably toward the forward limit of travel of the sliding means, is shown as having a width A, a depth B and an opening perimeter  126 . Likewise, cover  102  is shown as having a width C, a depth D and a cover outer perimeter  127 . In a preferred embodiment of the secondary navigation station of the invention, dimension C of cover  102  is greater than dimension A of structure opening  109 . Likewise, dimension D of cover  102  is greater than dimension B of structure opening  109 . It can thus be seen, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, that cover  102  occludes structure opening  109  when cover  102  is translated lengthwise on the sliding means such that it is disposed at the foreword limit of travel of the sliding means. Cover  102  being disposed at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means is also depicted in  FIGS. 2 a , 3 a   , and  4   a.    
     It can easily be seen in the various figures that cover  102 , which may further be defined as a seat, may be positioned in an open position which is defined as cover  102  translated to the aft limit of travel of the sliding means so as to be fully aft, a closed position which is defined as cover  102  being translated to the forward limit of travel of the sliding means so as to be fully forward, or any position between an open position and a closed position to suit the ergonomic desires of the user or operator as the user or operator sits on the cover or leans against it as depicted in  FIGS. 4 b  and 4 c   , or operates the watercraft from lower primary console  200  and may be protected from the weather by the cover being in a closed position as depicted in  FIG. 4   a.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b   , a rear view of an alternate embodiment of the secondary navigation station is shown. In this embodiment, spring loaded pin assemblies  401  are attached to seat base frame  400 . Spring loaded pin assemblies  401  may comprise spring loaded pins  403  which may be captured in holes in starboard slide rail  103  and port slide rail  111 , and which may be connected together via an attachment means which may be, for instance, a cable such as a steel stranded or other cable which may have crimped ends  404  such that a user of the invention standing underneath the secondary navigation station is able to reach up and grasp cable  402 . When spring loaded pins  403  are captured in holes in starboard slide rail  103  and port slide rail  111 , cover  102 , which may comprise a seat and cover mounting plate  102   a , is prohibited from translating on the sliding means and is in a “locked” status. When a user grasps cable  402  and pulls downward, spring loaded pins  403  are caused to retract into spring loaded pin assemblies  401 , thus disengaging spring loaded pins from holes in starboard slide rail  103  and port slide rail  111 , allowing cover  102  to translate along the sliding means to any position desired by the user and placing cover  102  in a “free” status, meaning it is free to translate along the sliding means as motivated by the user. Any number of holes in starboard slide rail  103  and in port slide rail  102  may be utilized to define discrete points of capture of cover  102  at any point of travel along the sliding means as may be desired by the user. In one alternate embodiment of the invention, three holes in starboard slide rail  103  and three holes in port slide rail  111  are utilized to define three discrete points of capture of cover  102  along the sliding means. In this embodiment of the invention, one hole in each slide rail is located so as to capture cover  102  at the forward limit of travel of the sliding means; one hole in each slide rail is located so as to capture cover  102  at an intermediate position between the forward limit of travel of the sliding means and the aft limit of travel of the sliding means such that cover  102  is located at a position comfortable for a user to sit on cover  102  and operate the watercraft using the controls located on the secondary navigation station controls console mounted on secondary navigation station upper surface  113 ; and one hole in each slide rail is located so as to capture cover  102  at the aft limit of travel of the sliding means. This use of the secondary navigation station of the invention is depicted further in  FIG. 4 b   . A seat base frame  400  may be attached to the bottom surface of each side of cover mounting plate  102   a  as depicted in  FIG. 9 , one seat base frame  400  on the port side and one seat base frame  400  on the starboard side of the bottom surface of either cover  102  if no cover mounting plate is used, or on the bottom surface of cover mounting plate  102   a  as shown. Still referring to  FIG. 9 , support structure horizontal tubing  157 , support structure aft tubing  152 , support structure forward tubing  153 , back rest support  105  and secondary navigation station structure  112  are depicted for reference. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 9 a   , cover  102  is shown in a locked status wherein spring loaded pins  403  are captured in holes in starboard slide rail  103  and port slide rail  111 .  FIG. 9 b    depicts cover  102  in a free status wherein spring loaded pins  403  are caused to retract into spring loaded pin assemblies  401  by the pulling of cable  402  in the direction of arrow E, thus causing spring loaded pins to translate in the direction indicated by arrow F and disengaging spring loaded pins from holes in starboard slide rail  103  and port slide rail  111 . 
     Further, the secondary navigation station of the invention may comprise a latch of any type known in the art, which may be a locking latch, to securely close cover  102  to prevent theft of items for those instances in which the underneath structure upon which the improved secondary navigation station of the invention is also enclosed. 
     Attaching hardware, such as mounting bolts, which are depicted in the various figures of the drawings, are shown as exemplary methods of attachment. It is to be understood that well-known alternate means of attachment such as, for example, rivets and chemical bonding using adhesives or multipart epoxies and the like, are well-known alternative means for attaching structural and other elements together. Therefore, it is to be understood that were ever attaching hardware such as mounting bolts are depicted in the figures of the drawings, such well-known alternate means of attachment are included within the scope of the claims as equivalents thereof. 
     Although a detailed description as provided in the attachments contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not merely by the preferred examples or embodiments given.