Patent Publication Number: US-6988456-B1

Title: Personal watercraft

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/386,904 filed Mar. 12, 2003, now abandoned, which application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/363,899 filed Mar. 12, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to personal watercraft. 
   BACKGROUND 
   A wide variety of portable personal watercraft have been developed ranging from simple miniaturized versions of boats and pontoons, to inflatable boats and pontoons, as well as collapsible and foldable boats and pontoons such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,975,005, 5,964,178, 5,870,966, 4,829,926, and 4,386,441. 
   Miniaturized versions of boats and pontoons tend to be portable but are generally unreliable, unstable in the water and lack fishability. Inflatable boats and inflatable pontoons provide portability, but are susceptible to puncturing, difficult to inflate and deflate, are often unstable and lack fishability. Collapsible and foldable boats avoid the problems inherent with inflatable boats, but are themselves typically difficult to convert back-and-forth between the folded deployable conditions, and are often unstable in the water. 
   Accordingly, a substantial need exists for a sturdy portable personal watercraft which is stable in the water and capable of being quickly and easily transformed back and forth between a compact transportable condition and an expanded deployment condition. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is directed to personal watercraft and combinations of personal watercraft and various accessories. 
   A first aspect of the invention is a personal watercraft comprising a hull and a plurality of pontoons. The hull has a bow, a stern, a starboard side, a port side, a longitudinally extending overall length and a laterally extending beam. A first embodiment of the first aspect of the invention includes at least two pontoons repositionably attached to the hull with at least one pontoon attached proximate the starboard side and at least one pontoon attached proximate the port side. The pontoons are laterally and longitudinally repositionable between a storage position in which the pontoons are generally longitudinally aligned relative to the hull and have a minimized lateral distance between the pontoons, and a flotation position in which the pontoons are shifted aft relative to the longitudinally aligned storage position and have a maximized lateral distance between the pontoons. 
   A second embodiment of the first aspect of the invention includes at least four pontoons repositionably attached to the hull with at least one pontoon positioned off a starboard bow of the hull, at least one pontoon positioned off a starboard quarter of the hull, at least one pontoon positioned off a port bow of the hull, and at least one pontoon positioned off a port quarter of the hull. The pontoons are laterally and longitudinally repositionable as between a storage position having a minimized lateral and longitudinal distance between the pontoons to facilitate transportation and storage, and a flotation position having a maximized lateral and longitudinal distance between the pontoons to provide improved flotation stability relative to the storage position. 
   A second aspect of the invention is a personal watercraft with a hull and a pair of laterally spaced hitch attachments secured to the hull proximate the bow. 
   A third aspect of the invention is a personal watercraft with a hull and a pair of laterally spaced hitch attachments secured to the hull proximate the stern. 
   A fourth aspect of the invention is a combination of a personal watercraft of the second or third aspect of the invention with an accessory selected from a towing attachment, a transom attachment, a wheeled attachment, an interconnect linkage and a supplemental decking attachment. 
   An embodiment of the towing attachment has (i) a pair of elements proximate a proximal longitudinal end of the towing attachment configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging the pair of hitch attachments secured to the bull proximate the bow and (ii) a hitch attachment proximate a distal longitudinal end of the towing attachment. 
   An embodiment of the transom attachment has (i) a pair of elements proximate a proximal longitudinal end of the transom attachment configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging the pair of hitch attachments secured to the hull proximate the stern, and (ii) a laterally extending beam proximate a distal longitudinal end of the transom attachment configured and arranged for supporting a boat motor in an operable position. 
   An embodiment of the wheeled attachment has (i) at least one element configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging a hitch attachment secured to the hull proximate the stern, and (ii) at least one wheel configured and arranged on the wheeled attachment such that the wheel transversely extends below the bottom of the hull when the element on the wheeled attachment is engaged with at least one of the hitch attachments secured to the hull proximate the stern. 
   An embodiment of the interconnect linkage has (i) a first element proximate a first longitudinal end of the interconnect linkage configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging a hitch attachment secured to the hull proximate the stern, and (ii) a second element attachment proximate a second longitudinal end of the interconnect linkage configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging a hitch attachment secured to the hull proximate the stern, (iii) whereby a first personal watercraft can be interconnected stern-to-stern with a second personal watercraft. 
   An embodiment of the supplemental decking attachment has (i) a pair of hitch attachments proximate a first longitudinal end of the supplemental decking attachment configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging the pair of hitch attachments secured to the hull proximate the stern, and (ii) a deck providing at least 5 ft 2 , preferably at least 9 ft 2 , of a planar upper surface. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view from the starboard bow of one embodiment of the personal watercraft aspect of the invention equipped with a trolling motor placed in a trolling position and a pedestal seat, with the pontoons placed in the flotation position. 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view from the starboard quarter of the invention shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the invention shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the invention shown in  FIG. 3  with the pedestal seat removed, the trolling motor placed in a storage position and the pontoons placed in the storage position. 
       FIG. 5  is a port side view of the invention shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a port side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 5  with the pedestal seat removed, the trolling motor placed in a storage position and the pontoons placed in the storage position. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the invention shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 7  with the pedestal seat removed, the trolling motor placed in a storage position and the pontoons placed in the storage position. 
       FIG. 9  is a lower perspective view from the port quarter of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the trolling motor removed. 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of one of the pivot connection assemblies on the invention shown in FIG.  9 . 
       FIG. 11A  is an upper perspective view from the port bow of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the pedestal seat removed, trolling motor placed in a storage position and the pontoons placed in the flotation position. 
       FIG. 11B  is an upper perspective view from the port bow of the invention shown in  FIG. 11A  with the pontoons placed in a first intermediate position. 
       FIG. 11C  is an upper perspective view from the port bow of the invention shown in  FIG. 11A  with the pontoons placed in a second intermediate position. 
       FIG. 11D  is an upper perspective view from the port bow of the invention shown in  FIG. 11A  with the pontoons placed in the storage position. 
       FIG. 12  is an upper perspective view from the starboard quarter of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the pedestal seat removed, the trolling motor placed in a storage position, the pontoons placed in the storage position, a towing attachment engaged within the hitch attachments proximate the bow of the personal watercraft and a wheeled attachment engaged within the hitch attachments proximate the stern of the personal watercraft. 
       FIG. 13  is an upper perspective view from the starboard bow of the invention shown in FIG.  12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a port side view of the invention shown in FIG.  12 . 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of the invention shown in FIG.  12 . 
       FIG. 16  is an upper perspective view from the starboard bow of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  with a transom attachment engaged within the hitch attachments proximate the stern of the personal watercraft. 
       FIG. 17  is an upper perspective view of two of the inventions shown in FIG. I attached stern-to-stern via a pair of interconnect linkages with one trolling motor placed in a trolling position and the other trolling motor placed in a storage position. 
       FIG. 18  is a top view of the attached inventions shown in FIG.  17 . 
       FIG. 19  is an upper perspective view from the starboard bow of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  with a supplemental decking attachment equipped with a pedestal seat and engaged within the hitch attachments proximate the stern of the personal watercraft. 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of the invention shown in FIG.  19 . 
       FIG. 21  is a top view of another embodiment of the personal watercraft aspect of in the invention equipped with a pedestal seat, with the pontoons placed in the flotation position and the connector links removed. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Definitions 
   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “maximum longitudinal length” means the length at the longest point. 
   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “maximum lateral width” means the width at the widest point. 
   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “maximum transverse height” means the height at the highest point. 
   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “operable position” when used to described the position of a boat motor, means that the propeller is positioned below the waterline. 
   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “releasably retaining” means that release from a retained position or condition can be achieved by hand without the use of a tool. 
   Nomenclature 
   
       
         10  Personal Watercraft 
         10   x  Maximum Longitudinal Length of the Personal Watercraft 
         10   y  Maximum Lateral Width of the Personal Watercraft 
         10   z  Maximum Transverse Height of the Personal Watercraft 
         11  Console 
         12  Socket for Pedestal Seat on the Personal Watercraft 
         20  Hull on the Personal Watercraft 
         20   x  Longitudinal Overall Length of the Hull 
         20   y  Lateral Beam of the Hull 
         20   z  Transverse Height of the Hull 
         20  Bow 
         22  Stern 
         23  Starboard Side 
         24  Port Side 
         30  Bottom 
         40  Deck on the Personal Watercraft 
         41  Upper Surface of Deck 
         50   s  Starboard Pontoon 
         50   p  Port Pontoon 
         50   sb  Starboard Bow Pontoon 
         50   sq  Starboard Quarter Pontoon 
         50   pb  Port Bow Pontoon 
         50   pq  Port Quarter Pontoon 
         60  Connector Assembly 
         70  Connector Link 
         70   s  Starboard Side Connector Links 
         70   p  Port Side Connector Links 
         71  Distal End of Connector Link 
         72  Proximal End of Connector Link 
         73  Connector Bolt 
         80  Connector Plate 
         81  Locking Pin 
         88  Arc-Shaped Channel in Connector Plate 
         89  Radial Locking Notches in Connector Plate 
         91  Hitch Attachments Proximate the Bow 
         92  Hitch Attachments Proximate the Stern 
         110  Towing Attachment 
         111  Frame of Towing Attachment 
         111   d  Distal End of Frame 
         111   p  Proximal End of Frame 
         112  Hitch Attachment at Distal End of Frame 
         120  Wheeled Attachment 
         121  Frame of Wheeled Attachment 
         122  Wheels 
         130  Transom Attachment 
         130   d  Distal End of Transom Attachment 
         130   p  Proximal End of Transom Attachment 
         131  Beam 
         140  Interconnect Linkage 
         150  Supplemental Decking Attachment 
         150   a  Front of Supplemental Decking Attachment 
         151  Hull on the Supplemental Decking Attachment 
         152  Deck on the Supplemental Decking Attachment 
         153  Socket for Pedestal Seat on Supplemental Decking Attachment 
       A Seat 
       B Trolling Motor 
       C Foot Pedal for Trolling Motor 
       x Longitudinal Axis 
       y Lateral Axis 
       z Transverse Axis
 
Construction
 
     
  
   The invention is a personal watercraft  10  and combinations of a personal watercraft  10  with various accessories. 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , one embodiment of a first aspect of the invention is a watercraft  10  which includes a hull  20 , a starboard pontoon  50   s  attached to the starboard side  23  of the hull  20  and a port pontoon  50   p  attached to the port side  24  of the hull  20 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 21 , another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention is a watercraft  10  which includes a hull  20 , and four pontoons attached to the hull  20  with one pontoon  50   sb  positioned off a starboard bow (unnumbered) of the hull  20 , one pontoon  50   sq  positioned off a starboard quarter (unnumbered) of the hull  20 , one pontoon  50   pb  positioned off a port bow (unnumbered) of the hull  20 , and one pontoon  50   pq  positioned off a port quarter (unnumbered) of the hull  20 . The balance of the detailed description shall be provided in connection with the dual-pontoon embodiment of the personal watercraft  10 . However, such description applies equally to the quad-pontoon embodiment as well as other embodiments of the personal watercraft  10  having any number of repositionable pontoons. 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the watercraft  10  has a maximum longitudinal length  10   x  of about 6 feet to about 8 feet when the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  are in the storage position, a maximum lateral width  10   y  of about 3 foot to about 4 feet when the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  are in the storage position, and a maximum transverse height  10   z  of about 1 foot to about 3 feet. A maximum longitudinal length  10   x  of less than about 6 feet results in an upper deck surface area  41  which does not comfortably accommodate an individual and significantly reduces flotation stability of the watercraft  10 , while a maximum longitudinal length  10   x  of greater than about 8 feet significantly reduces portability of the watercraft  10  as the watercraft  10  will not fit within the bed (not shown) of a standard full-sized truck (not shown). A maximum lateral width  10   y  of less than about 3 feet results in an upper deck surface area  41  which does not comfortably accommodate an individual and provides insufficient buoyancy, while a lateral width  10   y  of greater than about 4 feet significantly reducing portability of the watercraft  10  as the watercraft  10  will not fit within the bed (not shown) of a standard full-sized truck (not shown). A maximum transverse height  10   z  of less than about 1 foot provides insufficient buoyancy, while a maximum transverse height  10   z  of greater than about 3 feet significantly reduces portability of the watercraft  10  as the watercraft  10  becomes too large and too bulky for one or two persons to handle. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the hull  20  includes at least a bottom  30  and a deck  40 , and defines a bow  21 , a stern  22 , a starboard side  23  and a port side  24 . Referring generally to  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the hull  20  has a longitudinal overall length  20   x  of about 6 feet to about 8 feet, a lateral beam  20   y  of about 1 foot to about 2 feet, and a transverse height  20   z  of about 1 foot to about 3 feet. A longitudinal overall length  20   x  of less than about 6 feet results in an upper deck surface area  41  which does not comfortably accommodate an individual and significantly reduces flotation stability of the watercraft  10 , while a longitudinal overall length  20   x  of greater than about 8 feet significantly reduces portability of the watercraft  10  as the watercraft  10  will not fit within the bed (not shown) of a standard full-sized truck (not shown). A lateral beam  20   y  of less than about 1 foot results in an upper deck surface area  41  which does not comfortably accommodate an individual and provides insufficient buoyancy, while a lateral beam  20   y  of greater than about 2 feet either (i) significantly reduces the width of the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  thereby adversely affecting flotation stability of the watercraft  10 , or (ii) significantly reducing portability of the watercraft  10  as the watercraft  10  will not fit within the bed (not shown) of a standard full-sized truck (not shown). A transverse height  20   z  of less than about 1 foot provides insufficient buoyancy, while a transverse height  20   z  of greater than about 3 feet significantly reduces portability of the watercraft  10  as the watercraft  10  becomes too large and too bulky for one or two persons to handle. 
   The deck  40  provides a substantially planar upper surface  41 . The upper surface  41  is preferably sized to provide at least 16 ft 2  of planar surface area, most preferably at least 20 ft 2  of planar surface area. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the hull  20  preferably also includes (i) a console  11  proximate the bow  21  of the hull  20  for housing power connections and a variety of monitoring devices commonly used on watercraft such as a compass (not shown), depth finder (not shown), time clock (not shown), etc., (ii) a socket  12  in the upper surface of the deck  41  for attachment of a seat A atop the deck  40  such as a standard pedestal seat, and/or (iii) an area for attachment of a trolling motor B and a foot pedal C for the trolling motor. 
   The hull  20  may be a single unitary element or, as shown in  FIG. 1 , multiple compartments. 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  are each repositionably attached to the hull  20  by a pair of connector assemblies  60 . Each connector assembly  60  includes a connector link  70  with a pair of longitudinally spaced starboard connector links  70   s  attaching the starboard pontoon  50   s  to the hull  20  and a pair of longitudinally spaced port connector links  70   p  attaching the port pontoon  50   p  to the hull  20 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 through 8 , the connector links  70  are pivotably attached to the hull  20  and the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  so as to permit lateral and longitudinal repositioning of the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  relative to the hull  20  as between a storage position, such as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , having a generally longitudinally aligned storage position relative to the hull  20  and a minimized lateral distance between the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p,  and a flotation position, such as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , having a longitudinal flotation position shifted aft relative to the longitudinally aligned storage position and a maximized lateral distance between the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p.    
   As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , a proximal end  72  of each connector link  70  is pivotably attached to the hull  20  by a connector bolt  73  for pivoting about a transverse pivot axis (unnumbered), and a distal end  71  of each connector link  70  is pivotably attached to a pontoon  50   s  or  50   p  by another connector bolt  73  for pivoting about another transverse pivot axis (unnumbered). 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  may be locked into position as between the storage position, the flotation position and any number of intermediate positions by a connector plate  80  positioned between the hull  20  and the proximal end  72  of each connector link  70 . The connector plate  80  has an arc-shaped channel  88  centered about the transverse pivot axis (unnumbered) created by the connector bolt  73  attaching the proximal end  72  of the connector link  70  to the hull  20 . A locking pin  81  transversely extends from each connector link  70  into the arc-shaped channel  88  of the corresponding connector plate  80  and travels along the length of the arc-shaped channel  88  as the pontoon  50   s  or  50   p  to which the connector link  70  is attached, is repositioned. A series of locking notches  89  spaced along the length of the arc-shaped channel  88  extend radially inward from the arc-shaped channel  88 . The locking pin  81  is radially biased by a biasing means, such as a spring (not shown), towards the locking notches  89 , thereby causing the locking pin  81  to move into a locking notch  89  and thereby resist further repositioning of the pontoon  50   s  or  50   p  to which the connector link  70  is attached by resisting further pivoting of the connector link  70 , when the locking pin  81  is radially aligned with a locking notch  89 . 
   An alternative system for rendering the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  longitudinally and laterally repositionable is a railing system (not shown) including (i) a longitudinally extending track (not shown) attached to the underside (unnumbered) of the deck  40  proximate each of the starboard  23  and port  24  sides of the watercraft  10 , (ii) a pair of longitudinally spaced laterally extending supports (not shown) fixedly attached to the top (unnumbered) of each pontoon  50   s  and  50   p  with a laterally extending track (not shown) attached to the topside (not shown) of each lateral support (not shown), and (iii) a longitudinally extending support (not shown) with (A) a first traveler member (not shown) for slidably engaging the longitudinal track (not shown) attached to the deck  40  and thereby permitting longitudinal movement of the longitudinal support (not shown) along the longitudinal track (not shown), and (B) a second traveler member (not shown) for slidably engaging the lateral track (not shown) attached to the lateral support (not shown) and thereby permitting lateral movement of the lateral support (not shown) relative to the longitudinal support (not shown). 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the pontoons  50   s  and  50   p  are each repositionably attached to the hull  20  by a pair of connector assemblies  60 . 
   Other means for controlling repositioning of the pontoons  50   s  or  50   p  are known to those skilled in the art and include hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, electrical systems, and mechanical systems such as a pawl and ratchet system, a worm gear system, etc. 
   The starboard pontoon  50   s  and port pontoon  50   p  are preferably independently repositionable, but may be interconnected for coincidental repositioning so that repositioning of one pontoon  50   s  or  50   p  effects a corresponding repositioning of the other pontoon  50   s  or  50   p.    
   Referring generally to  FIG. 21 , in a similar fashion each of the starboard bow  50   sb,  starboard quarter  50   sq,  port bow  50   pb  and port quarter  50   pq  pontoons are preferably each independently repositionable, but may be interconnected so as to provide for (i) coincidental repositioning of the starboard bow  50   sb  and starboard quarter  50   sq  pontoons, (ii) coincidental repositioning of the port bow  50   pb  and port quarter  50   pq  pontoons, (iii) coincidental repositioning of the starboard bow  50   sb  and port bow  50   pb  pontoons, (iv) coincidental repositioning of the starboard quarter  50   sq  and port quarter  50   pq  pontoons, or (v) coincidental repositioning of the starboard bow  50   sb,  starboard quarter  50   sq,  port bow  50   pb,  and port quarter  50   pq  pontoons. 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , one embodiment of a second aspect of the invention is a watercraft  10  which includes a hull  20 , and one or both of (i) a pair of laterally spaced hitch attachments  91  secured to the hull  20  proximate the bow  21  of the bull  20 , and/or (ii) a pair of laterally spaced hitch attachments  92  secured to the hull  20  proximate the stern  22  of the hull  20 . 
   The hitch attachments  91  and  92  are preferably attached as a permanent component of the hull  20  and may be selected from any of the numerous types of vehicle-mounted hitches known to those skilled in the art, but is preferably the widely-available universal squarechannel receiver hitch. 
   A wide variety of accessories may be beneficially attached to the watercraft  10  equipped with the hitch attachments  91  and/or  92 , including a towing attachment  110 , a wheeled attachment  120 , a transom attachment  130 , an interconnect linkage  140  and a supplemental decking attachment  150 . 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 12 through 15 , one embodiment of a towing attachment  110  includes a longitudinally extending frame  111 , such as a Y-shaped yoke, with (i) a pair of laterally spaced elements (not shown) proximate the proximal longitudinal end  111   p  of the towing attachment  110  configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging the pair of hitch attachments  91  secured to the hull  20  proximate the bow  21 , and (ii) a hitch attachment  112  proximate the distal longitudinal end  111   d  of the towing attachment  110 . The towing attachment  110 , when used in combination with the wheeled attachment  120 , permits towing of the watercraft  10  by a motorized vehicle such as an ATV, lawn tractor, automobile, etc. 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 12 through 15 , one embodiment of a wheeled attachment  120  includes a frame  121 , such as a generally U-shaped yoke, with (i) at least one element (not shown), preferably two elements (not shown), configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging a hitch attachment  92  secured to the hull  20  proximate the stern  22 , and (ii) at least one wheel  122 , preferably two laterally spaced wheels  122 , configured and arranged on the frame  121  such that the wheel(s)  122  transversely extend below the bottom  30  of the hull  20  when the element(s) (not shown) on the wheeled attachment  120  is engaged with the hitch attachment(s)  92  secured to the hull  20  proximate the stern  22 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 16 , one embodiment of a transom attachment  130  has (i) a pair of elements (not shown) proximate a proximal longitudinal end  130   p  of the transom attachment  130  configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging the pair of hitch attachments  92  secured to the hull  20  proximate the stern  22 , and (ii) a laterally extending beam  131  proximate a distal longitudinal end  130   d  of the transom attachment  130  configured and arranged for supporting a boat motor (not shown) in an operable position. 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , one embodiment of an interconnect linkage  140  has (i) at least one and preferably two first elements (not shown) proximate a first longitudinal end  141  of the interconnect linkage  140  configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging a hitch attachment(s)  92  secured to the hull  20  proximate the stern  22 , and (ii) at least one and preferably two second elements (not shown) proximate a second longitudinal end  142  of the interconnect linkage  140  configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging a hitch attachment(s)  92  secured to the hull  20  proximate the stern  22 . The interconnect linkage  140  thereby functions to stably interconnect two of the personal watercraft  10  in a stern-to-stern fashion. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , multiple interconnect linkages  140  can also be interconnected when desired by use of an adapter (not shown) permitting the connection of the second element (not shown) on two different interconnect linkages  140 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the interconnect linkage  140  preferably provides an upper planar surface (not numbered) for facilitating movement between two interconnected watercraft  10  and/or facilitating storage of items on the interconnect linkage  140 . 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , one embodiment of a supplemental decking attachment  150  has (i) a pair of elements (not shown) proximate the front  150   a  of the supplemental decking attachment  150  configured and arranged for cooperatively releasably engaging the pair of hitch attachments  92  secured to the hull  20  proximate the stern  22 , and (ii) a deck  152  providing at least 5 ft 2  of a planar upper surface (unnumbered). The supplemental decking attachment  150  preferably includes at least one of (i) a hull  151 , such as shown in  FIG. 19 , having a bottom (unnumbered) and topsides (unnumbered), and (ii) a laterally centralized bouyancy tank (not shown). The hull  151  and/or bouyancy tank (not shown) should be sized to flotatably support an individual (not shown) on the deck  152  of the supplemental decking attachment  150  when the supplemental decking attachment  150  is attached to a watercraft  10 . The supplemental decking attachment  150  also preferably includes a socket  153  for a pedestal seat A.