Abstract:
According to embodiments disclosed herein, there is provided a modular boat that includes a first pontoon, a second pontoon, an arched coupling member, a deck frame, a deck surface and at least one inflatable seat. The first pontoon has a first longitudinal axis and the second pontoon has a second longitudinal axis. The arched coupling member is removably coupleable to the first pontoon and the second pontoon so that the arched coupling member is perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axis. The deck frame is removably coupleable to the arched coupling member. The deck surface is removably coupleable to the deck frame and extends in a first plane that is parallel to a second plane that contains the first and second longitudinal axis. The inflatable seat is removably coupleable to the deck surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/040,900, filed Aug. 22, 2014, entitled “Modular Pontoon Boat,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to pontoon-style boats, and in particular, to a modular pontoon boat that is easily transported and assembled or disassembled. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Boaters use pontoon boats to transport one or more people on a body of water. Pontoon-style boats typically include one or more large pontoons that extend in the principle direction of movement of the boat. Due to the size and shape of typical pontoons, pontoon boats are often difficult to store and transport. For example, boaters usually transport a pontoon boat to and from a body of water on a large trailer coupled to a specialized towing vehicle that has sufficient towing power to pull the trailer and pontoon boat. Once the towing vehicle arrives at the body of water, the boater must find a marina with a suitable unloading area, typically consisting of a large boat ramp that extends into the body of water. Once the boater has located a suitable marina, the driver of the towing vehicle maneuvers the towing vehicle such that a back end of the trailer faces the body of water. The driver then moves the vehicle and trailer in reverse until the boat and the trailer are at least partially submerged in the body of water. The driver then releases the boat from the trailer and a person on the pontoon boat maneuvers the boat away from the trailer. The driver of the towing vehicle must then find a suitable location to store the towing vehicle and the trailer while the pontoon boat is in use. 
         [0004]    When use of the boat is terminated, the drive must retrieve the towing vehicle and the maneuver the towing vehicle and trailer to retrieve the boat from the body of water by repeating the steps outlined above in the reverse order. As such, the driver maneuvers the towing vehicle and trailer until the back end of the trailer faces the body of water. The driver then moves the towing vehicle until the trailer is at least partially submersed and the boat can be loaded onto the partially-submerged trailer. The towing vehicle then removes the trailer and pontoon boat from the water and the driver secures the pontoon boat to the trailer for the journey to a boat storage facility. As such, transporting, loading, unloading and storing a pontoon boat is often expensive and time consuming. 
         [0005]    In some cases, the pontoon boat is stored at a marina where the boat is docked in the water or raised out of the water. However, this method of storing a pontoon boat is also expensive because pontoon boats require large docks with specialized docking equipment due to the size and shape of the pontoons. 
         [0006]    During the off-season, or during other periods of time in which the pontoon boat is not in use, the pontoon boat must be stored. Due to the size and unusual hull shape of typical pontoon boats, boaters often store pontoon boats in outdoor locations, thus exposing the boat to environmental factors which increase the rate at which the boat deteriorates. When indoor storage facilities of sufficient size to hold a pontoon boat are available, those storage facilities tend to be very expensive to lease or own. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a pontoon boat that is easy to load, unload, store and transport, while still providing a pontoon-style watercraft for people to enjoy on a body of water. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In a first aspect, there is provided a modular boat that includes a first pontoon, a second pontoon, an arched coupling member, a deck frame, a deck surface and at least one inflatable seat. The first pontoon has a first longitudinal axis and the second pontoon has a second longitudinal axis. The arched coupling member is removably coupleable to the first pontoon and the second pontoon so that the arched coupling is perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axis. The deck frame is removably coupleable to the arched coupling member. The deck surface is removably coupleable to the deck frame and extends in a first plane that is parallel to a second plane that contains the first and second longitudinal axis. The inflatable seat is removably coupleable to the deck surface. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the arched coupling member has a width between a first end and a second end of the arched coupling, and a height between a mid-point of the coupling and the first and second ends of the coupling. In some embodiments, the height of the arched coupling is about half of the width of the coupling. 
         [0010]    In other embodiments, the arched coupling includes a motor mount at a midpoint of the arched coupling. 
         [0011]    In still other embodiments, the motor mount extends from the midpoint toward a water surface when the boat is on a body of water. 
         [0012]    In yet other embodiments, the boat includes a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member. In some embodiments, the first vertical support member is removably coupleable to the first pontoon and the deck frame, and the second vertical support member is removably coupleable to the second pontoon and the deck frame. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the boat includes an inflatable roof frame that is removably coupleable to one or more of the deck frame and the deck surface. 
         [0014]    In still another embodiment, the boat includes a flexible roof material that is removably coupleable to the inflatable roof frame. In some embodiments, the roof material includes one or more retractable window coverings. 
         [0015]    In yet another embodiment, the first pontoon includes a first protective plate coupled to a bottom surface of the first pontoon and the second pontoon includes a second protective plate coupled to a bottom surface of the second pontoon. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the deck surface includes a plurality of rigid, interlocking deck pieces. 
         [0017]    In other embodiments, the deck surface includes an inflatable surface. 
         [0018]    In a second aspect, there is provided a partially-inflatable, modular pontoon-style boat that includes a first pontoon and a second pontoon; a rigid deck frame that is coupled to the first pontoon and the second pontoon; a deck material that is coupled to the deck frame to provide a deck surface; an inflatable seat that is coupled to the deck surface; an inflatable roof frame that is coupled to the deck surface; and one or more window coverings coupled to the inflatable roof frame. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the boat includes a first steering rudder coupled to a back end of the first pontoon and a second steering rudder coupled to a back end of the second pontoon. 
         [0020]    In other embodiments, a steering cable is operably coupled between a steering device and the first and second steering rudders. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the first and second pontoons are inflatable. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the boat includes an inflatable wall that extends along at least part of a perimeter of the deck surface. 
         [0023]    In yet another embodiment, the rigid deck frame is coupleable to the first and second pontoons by way of a plurality of arched coupling members. 
         [0024]    In still another embodiment, a third pontoon is positioned between the first and second pontoons. In some embodiments, the third pontoon is shorter than the first and second pontoons. 
         [0025]    In a third aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a modular pontoon-style boat. The method includes positioning a first pontoon parallel to a second pontoon and coupling a first end of an arched coupling to the first pontoon and a second end of the arched coupling to the second pontoon. The method also includes coupling a deck frame to the arched coupling and coupling a deck material to the deck frame to create a deck surface. The method also includes inflating a wall and coupling the wall to at least part of a perimeter of the deck surface. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the method includes coupling a motor to a motor mount located at a midpoint of the arched coupling. 
         [0027]    In other embodiments, the method includes inflating a roof frame and coupling the roof frame to the deck surface. 
         [0028]    Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of the inventions disclosed. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0029]    The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments. The drawings are not to scale and show only some embodiments. Other embodiments that are not specifically illustrated are within the scope of this disclosure. Embodiments shown in one figure may be combined with embodiments shown in other figures to create further embodiments. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a back side view of a lower part of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat showing a motor mount in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a back side view of a lower part of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat showing steering cables in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a lower part of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat showing attachment plates of the arched supports in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a lower part of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat showing a deck frame coupled to the arched supports in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat showing side walls coupled to the deck surface in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat showing inflatable seats coupled to the deck surface in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat that includes a window and a window covering in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is an end view of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat with an additional watercraft positioned beneath the deck surface in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10A  is an end view of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat that includes a third pontoon located between the first pontoon and the second pontoon in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0040]      FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the modular pontoon-style boat of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0041]      FIG. 11A  is an end view of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat that includes a central pontoon and at least two arched couplings in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0042]      FIG. 11B  is an end view of an embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat that includes two central pontoons and at least three arched couplings in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0043]      FIGS. 12  A-C illustrate embodiments of a peg and slot for use in coupling the components of a modular pontoon-style boat in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0044]      FIG. 13  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a method of assembling a modular pontoon-style boat in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0045]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular pontoon-style boat that includes a drift net in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0046]      FIG. 15A  is a top view of an embodiment of a pontoon with a drift plate in the extended position in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0047]      FIG. 15B  is a top view of an embodiment of a pontoon with a drift plate in the refracted position in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0048]      FIG. 16A  is a top view of an embodiment of a multi-piece drift plate in the retracted position in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0049]      FIG. 16B  is a top view of an embodiment of a multi-piece drift plate in the extended position in accordance with this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0050]      FIGS. 1-11B  illustrate embodiments of a partially-inflatable, modular pontoon-style boat  100  that is easily transported, stored and assembled/disassembled. The modular pontoon boat  100  includes a first pontoon  102  and a second pontoon  104  that are removably coupleable to arched coupling members  106 . The arched coupling members  106  removably link the first and second pontoons  104  to a deck frame  108  that is spaced above the first and second pontoons  104 , thus providing an area underneath the boat  100  that can be used to store objects or to provide a swimming area for users, as will be described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the boat  100  also includes vertical support members  110  that are removably coupleable to the first and second pontoons  102  and  104  and the deck frame  108  to provide additional structural support to the deck frame. The deck frame  108  is removably coupleable to a deck covering  112  which, as described in more detail below, may include a flexible material, a rigid material, or a combination of rigid inflexible materials on which boat occupants can walk. The pontoon boat  100  also includes an inflatable roof frame  114  and inflatable seats that are removably coupleable to one or more of the deck frame  108  and the deck surface. The roof frame  114  extends above the deck surface and supports a flexible roof material  116  in an elevated position over the deck surface. The pontoon boat  100  also includes an inflatable peripheral wall  118  that is coupleable to one or more of the deck surface and the deck frame  108 . In some embodiments, the boat  100  is configured and sized to hold a single person. In other embodiments, the boat  100  is configured and sized to hold more than one person. 
         [0051]    As described in more detail below, the above-described components of the boat  100  are modular and can be disassembled to allow for compact storage and transport of the boat  100 . For example, in some embodiments the boat  100  is transported to a body of water in a disassembled state and then assembled on-site at the body of water. In some embodiments, the modular components of the boat  100  are made of lightweight materials so that a user can easily launched from the shore into the body of water without the need for a boat ramp. In addition, the light weight, modular components can be stored and transported in the disassembled state without the need for a specialized trailer and towing vehicle. In some embodiments, for example, the pontoon boat  100  can be disassembled and/or deflated to fit within a small storage space, such as the bed of a pickup truck, for storage between uses. 
         [0052]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the boat  100  in the fully-assembled state. It is to be understood that the boat  100  can be disassembled and that each of the components described herein is removably coupleable to the mating components, thus allowing for disassembly of the components for convenient transportation and storage of the boat  100 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first and second pontoon  102  and  104  each have an elongated shape with a pointed front end  122  and a pointed back end  124 . In some embodiments, the front and back ends  122  and  124  of the first and second pontoons  102  and  104  include attachment mechanisms, such as anchor loops or boat  100  hooks (not shown), to secure the pontoon boat  100  to an anchor or other object. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, the first and second pontoons  102  and  104  include a rigid outer surface filled with a buoyant material, such as a buoyant foam. In some embodiments, the pontoons  102  and  104  are made of a metal material, such as stainless steel, while in other embodiments the pontoons  102  and  104  are made of other rigid materials, such as reinforced plastic materials. In other embodiments, the first and second pontoons  102  and  104  include a flexible outer surface and are inflatable. 
         [0054]    While the pontoons  102  and  104  illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  are elongated in shape and are slightly longer than the deck frame  108 , the first and second pontoons  102  and  104  may have any suitable shape and size. For example, in some embodiments the pontoons  102  and  104  have a length that is slightly shorter than the length of the deck frame  108 . In some embodiments, the pontoons  102  and  104  have a flat back end  124  to allow space for one or more motors  134  or rudders  140  (see  FIG. 3 ), as will be described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the pontoons  102  and  104  have a size and shape corresponding to the environment in which a boater will most frequently use the boat  100 . For example, if a boater plans to use the boat  100  on smaller lakes and rivers, the user may chose an embodiment of the boat  100  that includes smaller, shorter pontoons  102  and  104 . In some embodiments, the pontoons  102  and  104  are sized to fit within a bed of a pickup truck. In some embodiments, the pontoons  102  and  104  are configured as small as possible (while still supporting the weight of users on the boat) so that they are easily transported and stored. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the pontoons  102  and  104  include one or more reinforcing plates (not shown) located on an interior or exterior surface of the bottom surface  126  of the pontoons  102  and  104 . In some embodiments, the reinforcing plates extend substantially the entire distance from the front end  122  to the back end  124  of the pontoons  102  and  104  and protect the bottom surface  126  of the pontoons  102  and  104  while a user loads or transports the boat  100  by dragging the pontoons  102  and  104  on a ground surface. Thus, a user can assemble the pontoon boat  100  on the ground at or near a shoreline of a body of water and then transport the boat  100  to the body of water by dragging the boat  100  without damaging the pontoons  102  and  104 . 
         [0056]    The pontoons  102  and  104  are removably coupled to the deck frame  108  by one or more arched coupling members  106 . The arched coupling members  106  are generally in the form of an arch and include a first end  128  that is removably coupled to the first pontoon  102  and the second end  130  that is removably coupled to the second pontoon  104 . In some embodiments, a midpoint of the arched coupling members  106  is removably coupled to the deck frame  108  to secure the first and second pontoons  104  to the deck frame  108 . In some embodiments, the arched coupling members  106  are made from one-inch diameter aluminum piping. While three arched coupling members  106  are illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , any number of arched coupling members  106  can be included on the boat  100  to couple the pontoons  102  and  104  to the deck frame  108  in other embodiments. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, the arched coupling members  106  have a height that is approximately half the distance of the width of the arched coupling members  106 . In some embodiment, for example, the arched coupling members  106  have a height of about 5 feet and a width of about 10 feet and are coupled to pontoons  102  and  104  that have a length of about 17 feet. In some embodiments, the arched coupling members  106  provide for sufficient space under the deck frame  108  for users to swim, store items, or otherwise use the vacant space. In some embodiments, for example, the arched coupling members are between about 3 and about 8 feet in height and between about 6 and about 18 feet wide so that a typical kayak or canoe can be placed beneath the boat  100  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). In other embodiments, the arched coupling members are between about 5 and about 8 feet in height and between about 10 and about 18 wide so that a watercraft such as a jet ski can be placed beneath the boat  100 . In other embodiments, the arched coupling members  106  have other heights and widths and the pontoons  102  and  104  have other lengths and the foregoing dimensions are not intended to limit this disclosure. In other words, this disclosure and the inventions described herein is not limited to particular dimensions and the dimensions above are given only as example embodiments. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, the arched coupling members  106  are a single, unitary piece while in other embodiments the arched coupling members  106  include multiple arched pieces. In some embodiments, the arched coupling members  106  are semi-circular in shape while in other embodiments the arched coupling members  106  have another suitable shape to provide for extra space below the boat  100 , such as a semi-elliptical shape or other curved shape. 
         [0059]    In some embodiments, the first and second pontoons  104  are also removably secured to the deck frame  108  by vertical support members  110 . In some embodiments, the vertical support members  110  are coupleable to the first and second pontoons  102  and  104  at a location adjacent to the connection between the arched coupling members  106  and the pontoons  102  and  104 . Thus, in some embodiments a first vertical support member  110  is positioned adjacent to a first end  128  of each arched coupling member  106  and a second vertical support member  110  is positioned adjacent to the second end  130  of each arched coupling member  106 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the vertical support members  110  are between about 1 and 3 feet long. In other embodiments, the vertical support members  100  are more than about 3 feet long. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments one or more of the arched coupling members  106  includes a motor mount  132  positioned at or near a midpoint of the arched coupling member  106 . In some embodiments, the rear-most arched coupling member  106  includes a motor mount  132 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the motor mount  132  extends away from the deck frame  108  to lower the position of the motor  134  so that the motor  134  contacts the water surface  187 . In some embodiments, the motor mount  132  includes a surface to which a motor  134  is coupleable. In some embodiments, for example, the motor mount  132  includes a shelf feature (not shown) to which the motor  134  is mounted. 
         [0061]    Any suitable motor  134  can be coupled to the motor mount  132 . In some embodiments, the motor  134  is an electric motor  134 . In other embodiments, the motor  134  is a gasoline-powered motor  134 . In some embodiments, a gas tank (not shown) is also coupled to the motor mount  132 . In other embodiments, a gas tank is located in another location on the boat  100 , such as a designated area on the deck surface  112 . 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments one or more steering cables  138  connect the motor mount  132 , a steering device (not shown) located on the deck surface  112  and one or more rudders  140 . In some embodiments, the steering cables  138  extend from the motor mount  132  to rudders  140  located at a back end  124  of the pontoons  102  and  104  to enable a user to steer the boat  100 . A user can steer the boat  100  in any other suitable manner in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments one or more steering cables  138  couple a steering device on the deck frame  108  to the motor  134  or the motor mount  132  to adjust the angle of the motor  134  in the water, thereby steering the boat  100 . 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments the arched coupling members  106  include coupling plates  142  attached to the first end  128  and the second end  130  (the second end  130  of the arched coupling members  106  is obscured from view in  FIG. 4 ) of each arched coupling member  106 . In some embodiments, the pontoons  102  and  104  also include corresponding coupling plates (not shown) to allow a user to couple the coupling plates  142  of the arched coupling members  106  to the coupling plates (not shown) of the pontoons  102  and  104 . In some embodiments, the coupling plates  142  of the arched coupling members  106  are coupleable to the coupling plates (not shown) of the pontoons  102  and  104  through the use of one or more fastening mechanisms  146 , such as, for example, one or more bolts. In some embodiments, the coupling plates  142  are made of 0.25-inch thick metal material. 
         [0064]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the deck frame  108  is shown removably coupled to the arched coupling members  106  and the vertical support members  110 . In some embodiments, the deck frame  108  includes a plurality of interlocking members. For example, in some embodiments, the deck frame  108  includes a front member  148  and a rear member  150  that extend the full distance between the first pontoon  102  to the second pontoon  104 . In addition, the deck frame  108  includes a first lateral member  152  and a second lateral member  154  that extend from the front member  148  to the rear member  150 . In some embodiments, the front member  148 , the rear member  150 , the first lateral member  152  and the second lateral member  154  are coupled together to form a square or rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the deck frame  108  can be any suitable shape, such as, for example, a round shape or a triangular shape. 
         [0065]    The deck frame  108  may also include one or more central lateral members  156  that extend from the front member  148  to the rear member  150 . In some embodiments, the deck frame  108  also includes additional support members  180  located above each arched coupling member  106 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , for example, the deck frame  108  includes one additional support member  180  positioned above a central arched support member  106 . In some embodiments, the additional support member  180 , the front member  148  and the rear member  150  are removably coupled to the arched coupling members  106 , for example, by way of a plate-to-plate connection such as that disclosed above. 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments a deck surface  112  is coupleable to the deck frame  108 . In some embodiments, the deck surface  112  is a flexible material that is secured to the deck frame  108 . In some embodiments, the deck surface  112  is a single piece of material while in other embodiments the deck surface  112  is made of a plurality of pieces of material. In some embodiments, the deck surface  112  is a flexible trampoline material which, in some embodiments, also includes a cable material that is woven across the width of the trampoline material. In other embodiments, the deck surface  112  is rigid and includes a plurality of rigid members that are interlockable to cover the deck frame  108 . In some embodiments, the rigid members are made of a hard plastic material that couples to adjacent pieces of material with a tongue and groove feature. 
         [0067]    In some embodiments, the boat  100  includes one or more inflatable walls  118  positioned along a peripheral edge of the deck surface  112 . In some embodiments, the walls  118  are coupled to one or more of the deck surface  112  and the deck frame  108 . In some embodiments, the walls  118  are inflatable such that the walls  118  can be deflated and stored in a compact configuration when the boat  100  is not in use. The inflatable walls  118  can be made of any suitable material that is substantially air-impermeable and can be formed into an inflatable shape, such as, for example, PVC-coated vinyl. In some embodiments, the walls  118  extend around the entire peripheral edge of the deck surface  112  while in other embodiments the walls  118  extend around only part of the peripheral edge of the deck surface  112 , as shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, the walls  118  include one or more doors and/or doorways  160  to allow entry and exit from the deck surface  112  through the wall  118 . 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in some embodiments the boat  100  also includes one or more inflatable seats  120 . The inflatable seats  120  are coupleable to the deck surface  112  by way of a removable coupling, such as, for example, a Velcro®-type coupling. The seats  120  may be made of any suitable, inflatable material and are deflateable to allow for storage in a compact configuration. While U-shaped seats  120  is shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the seats  120  can have any suitable shape in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments the seats  120  include one or more captain seats, forward facing seats, backward facing seats, and reclined, bed-type seats. In some embodiments, a user can remove one or more of the seats  120  from the deck surface  112  for use as a floatation device in the water. 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , in some embodiments the boat  100  includes an inflatable roof frame  114  that is removably coupleable to one or more of the deck surface  112  and the deck frame  108 . The roof frame  114  extends vertically above the deck surface  112  and, in some embodiments, includes a front opening  162  ( FIG. 1 ) and a back opening  164  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the front and back openings  162  and  164  allow a person to stand within the roof frame  114  and view in front of and behind the boat  100 . In some embodiments, the roof frame  114  is inflatable and is made of a flexible material. Thus, in some embodiments, the roof frame  114  can be deflated for compact storage. In other embodiments, the roof frame  114  is rigid. While a rectangular roof frame  114  is shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 8 , the roof frame  114  can be any suitable shape in other embodiments. In addition, other types of roofs can be removably coupled to the deck surface  112 , such as, for example, an awning type roof. 
         [0070]    In some embodiments, the roof frame  114  includes a roof material  116  that covers at least a portion of the roof frame  114 . In some embodiments, for example, the roof material  116  covers an upper portion of the roof frame  114 , as well as a portion of the sides of the roof frame  114 . In some embodiments, the roof material  116  includes one or more window openings  166  and window coverings  168  adjacent to the window openings  116 . In some embodiments, the window coverings  168  are made of a flexible material that can be retracted or rolled so that the window openings  116  are uncovered. For example, in some embodiments, the window coverings  168  are rollable and a user can tie the rolled window coverings with a suitable tying mechanism  170  to retain the window coverings  168  in the rolled position. 
         [0071]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , in some embodiments the boat  100  also includes coverings  172  positioned between the deck surface  112  and the pontoons  102  and  104 . In some embodiments, the coverings  172  are flexible and can be stored by rolling and then securing the coverings  172  with securing mechanisms  170 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments the arched coupling members  106  are of a sufficient height to allow for storage of an additional watercraft  174 , or multiple watercraft  174 , such as one or more kayaks, canoes, or an engine-powered watercraft, beneath the deck frame  108 . In some embodiments, the arched support members  106 , an underside of the deck surface  112  and/or the deck frame  108  include one or more hooks  189  or other securing devices to allow a user to hang objects underneath the deck surface. For example, in some embodiments, a user hangs a net from the hooks  189  to allow for storage of items on the net below the deck surface  112  and deck frame  108 . 
         [0073]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , in some embodiments the boat  100  includes a third pontoon  176  position between the first pontoon  102  the second pontoon  104 . In some embodiments, the third pontoon  176  is coupled to the arched coupling member  106  by a vertical coupling member  178 . In some embodiments, the third pontoon  176  is shorter than the first pontoon  102  in the second pontoon  104  and is positioned toward a front end of the boat  100  to counter balance the weight of a motor  134  positioned at a rear end of the boat  100 . In some embodiments, the third pontoon  176  can be partially, or entirely, filed with water to counterbalance the weight of the motor  134 . 
         [0074]    In other embodiments, the boat  100  can include any number of full-sized pontoons  102 ,  104 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11A  the boat  100  includes three pontoons  102 ,  103  and  104  and at least two arched coupling members  106  coupling the first outside pontoon  102  to the central pontoon  103  and the second outside pontoon  104  to the central pontoon  103 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11B , the boat  100  includes four pontoons  102 ,  103 ,  104  and  105  and at least three arched coupling members  106  that couple adjacent pontoons  102 ,  103 ,  104  and  105 . In other embodiments, the boat  100  can include any number of pontoons and a corresponding number of arched coupling members  106 . 
         [0075]    In some embodiments, at least some of the modular components of the boat  100  are coupled together using a peg system  200 . For example,  FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate a peg  182  that can be part of or coupled to a component of the boat  100  system, such as an inflatable seat  120 , and a slot  184  that can be coupled to or part of another component of the boat  100 , such as the deck surface, to allow a user to quickly and easily assemble and disassemble the components. The peg  182  is rotatable between a first position, as shown in  FIG. 12A , and a second position that is perpendicular to the first position, as shown in  FIG. 12B . In some embodiments, the open slot  184  ( FIG. 12C ) is sized and shaped to correspond to the peg  182  so that the peg  182  can be placed within the slot  184  and then turned ninety degrees so that the peg  182  is perpendicular to the slot  184 , thereby locking the peg  182  in the slot  184  and locking the components coupled to the peg  182  and the slot  184  together. To disassemble to components, the user turns the peg  182  from the perpendicular position with respect to the slot  184  to the aligned position with respect to the slot  184  and the user moves the components away from each other. In some embodiments, the deck frame  108 , the deck material  112  and the roof frame  114  include equally spaced slots  184  so that the other components can be easily coupled to the deck frame  108 , the deck surface  112  and the roof frame  114 , in a modular, customizable fashion. In some embodiments, the slots  184  are placed at various locations on the deck frame  108 , the deck surface  112  and the roof frame  114  to allow for customized location of corresponding components. 
         [0076]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , an embodiment of a method  1300  of assembling a modular, partially-inflatable boat  100  is shown. In some embodiments, the method  1300  begins and the first pontoon  102  is positioned so that it is parallel to the second pontoon  104 , as shown at block  1302 . A user then couples a first end  128  of an arched coupling member  106  to the first pontoon  102  and a second end  130  of the arched coupling member  106  to the second pontoon  104 , as shown at block  1304 . The user then couples a deck frame  108  to the arched coupling member  106 , as shown at block  1306 , and couples a deck material to the deck frame  108  to create a deck surface  112 , as shown at block  1308 . The user then inflates a wall  118  and couples the wall  118  to at least part of a perimeter of the deck surface, as shown at block  1310 . In some embodiments, the user also couples a motor  134  to a motor  134  mount  132  located at a midpoint of the arched coupling, as shown at block  1312 . In other embodiments, the user also couples a roof frame  114  to the deck surface  112 , as shown at block  1314 . In some embodiments, the user also inflates one or more seats  120  and couples the seats  120  to the deck surface  112 , as shown at block  1316 . 
         [0077]    In use, a user transports the boat  100  in the disassembled state to a body of water. The user then assembles the boat  100  at or near the body of water and then pushes the boat  100  into the water. In some embodiments, the assembled boat  100  is sufficiently light to be pushed/pulled by one or more people. In other embodiments, the assembled boat  100  is moved into and out of the water with the assistance of a pulling mechanisms, such as a mechanical winch. 
         [0078]    When the user has finished using the boat  100 , the boat  100  can be removed from the body of water by pulling the boat  100  onto the shoreline. Once the boat  100  has been removed from the body of water, the user can completely or partially disassemble the boat  100  for compact storage. For example, in some embodiments the inflatable components of the boat  100 , such as the seats  120  and the roof frame  114  in some embodiments, are deflated and the boat  100  is stored. In other embodiments, the inflatable components of the boat  100  are deflated and the other components of the boat  100 , such as the deck frame  108  in some embodiments, are disassembled so that the components of the boat  100  can be stored more compactly. 
         [0079]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , in some embodiments the boat  100  includes a drift net  188  that is coupleable to one or more of the pontoons  102  and  104 . In some embodiments, the drift net  188  includes a net  190  and a line  192  that couples the net  190  to the pontoon  102  or  104 . In use, the net  190  is at least partially submerged under the water level  187  to help maintain the boat  100  in a desired location. In some embodiments, the drift net  186  helps to counteract boat movement that may be caused by water current and/or wind. In some embodiments, the drift net  188  also provides a stabilizing force to the boat  100  to help prevent the boat from tipping over due to high winds. 
         [0080]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , in some embodiments one or more of the pontoons  102  and  104  (only pontoon  102  is shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B  for clarity) includes a retractable drift plate  194  that is movably coupleable to the pontoon  102  or  104 . In some embodiments, the drift plate  194  is coupled to the pontoon  102  or  104  at a hinge  196  to allow a user to move the drift plate  194  between an extended position ( FIG. 15A ) and a retracted position ( FIG. 15B ). One or more lines  198  maintain the position of the drift plate  194  when the drift plate  194  is in the extended position. In some embodiments, both the first pontoon  102  and the second pontoon  104  include one or more drift plates  194 . In some embodiments, the drift plates  194  of the pontoons  102  and  104  are submerged in the water when in the extended position to helps to steady the boat  100  in high wind situations. In some embodiments, the drift plates  194  conform to the outer shape of the pontoons  102  and  104  so that the drift plates  194  can be storage against the pontoons  102  and  104  when in the retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 15B . 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , in some embodiments the drift plate  194  includes a first plate  202  that is movably coupled to a second plate  204 . The first and second plates  202  and  204  include openings  206  and  208 , respectively, that are mis-aligned when the first and second plates  202  and  204  are placed side-by-side in the retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 16A . In the retracted position, the drift plate  194  can be placed in the water so that the water cannot easily move through the openings  206  and  208 . When a user desires to remove the drift plate  194  from the water, the user moves the first plate  202  (or the second plate  204 ) so that the openings  206  and  208  of the plates  202  and  204  are uncovered and so that the plates  202  and  204  are aligned one above the other, as shown in  FIG. 16B . As such, water moves easily through the uncovered openings  206  and  208  and the drift plates  194  are more easily removed from the water. In some embodiments, the user pulls upward on one of the plates  202  or  204  to transition the plates  202  and  204  between the side-by-side position (i.e., the retracted position shown in  FIG. 16A ) and the aligned position (i.e., the extended position shown in  FIG. 16B ). 
         [0082]    The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention(s), and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive. For example, in other embodiments, other types of coupling mechanisms are used to removably couple the components of the boat  100 . For example, in some embodiments, the components are coupled using bolts and nuts rather than, or in addition to, the peg  182  and slot  184  configuration described above. In addition, while certain components have been described as being inflatable, such as the seats  120 , the wall  118  and the roof frame  114 , in other embodiments those parts are made of rigid materials such as aluminum or hard plastic materials. Similarly, components that have been described as being rigid, such as the deck frame  108 , are inflatable in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the components of the boat  100 , such as the pontoons  102  and  104 , the arched coupling members  106 , the vertical support members  110 , the deck frame  108 , the deck surface  112 , the roof frame  114  and the roof material  116 , are made of lightweight materials so that the boat  100  weighs between about 875 lbs. and about 1250 lbs. pounds when fully assembled. In other embodiments, the boat  100  weighs between about 675 lbs. and about 2500 lbs. In other embodiments, the boat  100  weights less than about 675 lbs. while in other embodiments the boat  100  weights more than about 2500 lbs. In some embodiments, the components of the boat  100 , when disassembled, fit within a bed of a pickup truck. For example, in some embodiments, the components of the boat  100  fit within a four foot by eight foot bed of a pickup truck. In some embodiments, the deck material  112  is made of a trampoline material and the deck is spring loaded. In some embodiments, the inflatable components are inflated using a hand pump or an electronic air pump. In some embodiments, the shape of the roof frame  114  is customized to resemble the shape of an object, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a pirate ship, a car, a tractor, a train, or a castle. In some embodiments, additional features, such as inflatable slides, can be coupled to the roof frame  114  or other parts of the boat  100 . In some embodiments, the inflatable seats  120  have a hollow cavity to house items. In some embodiments, for example, the hollow cavities in the seats  120  act as coolers for holding drinks and food. In some embodiments, inflatable bumpers are coupleable to the components that are made of hard materials, such as the deck frame  108  in some embodiments, to protect users of the boat  100 . 
         [0083]    In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “left” and right”, “front” and “rear”, “above” and “below” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 
         [0084]    In this specification, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear. 
         [0085]    Furthermore, invention(s) have been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments and it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s). Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.