Patent Publication Number: US-8113136-B2

Title: Convertible seat assembly for a watercraft

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/219,650, filed Jun. 23, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a convertible seat assembly for a watercraft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many sport boats have a deck defining a passenger area, a hull connected to the deck, a reboarding platform at the rear, and a sunpad located between the reboarding platform and the passenger area. The sunpad is a padded element mounted on a pedestal, wide enough to accommodate one or more persons for resting or sunbathing thereon. The sunpad can be located above the engine with the pedestal containing a part of the engine which usually extends above the reboarding platform. 
     The reboarding platform is typically integrally formed with the deck. The reboarding platform allows passengers to reboard the watercraft from the water when the watercraft is not moving. The reboarding platform therefore has to be kept unobstructed. 
     It is common to see boat users seating on the reboarding platform, either for sunbathing, changing sport equipment. However, the reboarding platform is not equipped with furniture or seating facilities, and boat users have to seat or lie uncomfortably on the bare floor of the reboarding platform. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a boat having a seating facility on the reboarding platform which does not obstruct the reboarding platform when the seating facility is not in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences mentioned above. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a convertible seat assembly having first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the convertible seat assembly is stowed, leaving the reboarding platform unobstructed, and in the second configuration, the convertible seat assembly forms a seat for the reboarding platform. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a convertible seat assembly wherein, in the first configuration, the convertible seat assembly forms part of a sunpad, and in the second configuration, the convertible seat assembly forms a lounge chair. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a boat having a convertible seat assembly. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a watercraft having a hull, a deck connected to the hull, the deck having a wall, and a reboarding platform connected to at least one of the hull and the deck. The watercraft has a convertible seat assembly. The convertible seat assembly has a first panel connected to the wall, and a second panel movably connected to at least one of the wall, the reboarding platform and the first panel. The convertible seat assembly has first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the second panel is disposed on a reboarding platform side of the wall. In the second configuration, the first panel forms a generally vertical seat back and the second panel forms a generally horizontal seat bottom. 
     In an additional aspect, the first panel is pivotally connected to the wall. In the first configuration, the second panel supports at least partially the first panel generally horizontally above the reboarding platform to form a sunpad. In the second configuration the first panel rests at least partially along the wall and the second panel rests at least partially on the reboarding platform. 
     In a further aspect, a third panel is hingedly connected to the second panel. In the second configuration, the third panel rests at least partially on the reboarding platform. 
     In an additional aspect, the third panel has a handle. 
     In a further aspect, the third panel has two ends. In the second configuration, the end nearest to the wall is higher than the end furthest from the wall. 
     In an additional aspect, the third panel comprises one of a protrusion and a recess and the second panel comprises an other one of the protrusion and the recess. The protrusion mates with the recess when the convertible seat assembly is in the first configuration. 
     In a further aspect, the first panel has two ends. In the first configuration, the second panel and the third panel are disposed between the two ends of the first panel. 
     In an additional aspect, the second panel and the third panel have a wedge shape. 
     In a further aspect, the hinge between the second panel and the third panel is a live hinge made of one of non-corrosive metal, fabric, and polymer. 
     In an additional aspect, a third panel is slidably connected to the second panel. In the second configuration, the third panel rests at least partially on the reboarding platform. 
     In a further aspect, the second panel has a handle. 
     In an additional aspect, in the first configuration, the first panel rests at least partially on the second panel, and the second panel prevents downward rotation of the first panel. 
     In a further aspect, the second panel has two ends. In the second configuration, the end nearest to the wall is lower than the end furthest from the wall. 
     In an additional aspect, the first panel has two ends. In the first configuration, the second panel is disposed between the two ends of the first panel. 
     In a further aspect, the second panel is hingedly connected to at least one of the wall and the reboarding platform via a spring biasing the convertible seat assembly toward the first configuration. 
     In an additional aspect, at least one of the first panel and the second panel includes a cushion. 
     In a further aspect, the watercraft comprises two convertible seat assemblies. 
     In an additional aspect, the watercraft further comprises a passenger area is defined by the deck, the passenger area being separated at least partially from the reboarding platform by the wall. In the second configuration, the seat back faces away from the passenger area. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a convertible seat assembly for a reboarding platform of a watercraft. The convertible seat assembly has a first panel adapted to be pivotally connected to a wall of the watercraft, and a second panel adapted to be movably connected to at least one of the wall, the reboarding platform and the first panel. The convertible seat assembly has first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the second panel supports at least partially the first panel generally horizontally above the second panel. In the second configuration, the first panel forms a generally vertical seat back and the second panel forms a generally horizontal seat bottom. 
     In an additional aspect, a third panel is hingedly connected to the second panel. 
     For the purpose of this application, the expression “platform connected to at least one of the hull and the deck” comprises a platform integrally formed with at least one of the hull and the deck. Also, terms related to spatial orientation such as upwardly, downwardly, front, rear, left, and right, are as they would normally be understood by a driver of the watercraft sitting therein in a normal driving position. 
     Embodiments of the present invention each have at least one of the above-mentioned objects and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present invention that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned objects may not satisfy these objects and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein. 
     Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is a front, left perspective view of a watercraft according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear, left perspective view of the watercraft of  FIG. 1  with a schematic representation of a left convertible seat assembly in a stowed configuration and a right convertible seat assembly in a seating configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear, left perspective view of a watercraft according to another embodiment with a left convertible seat assembly in a seating configuration, and a right convertible seat assembly in a stowed or sunpad configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the two convertible seat assemblies of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two convertible seat assemblies according to yet another embodiment with a left convertible seat assembly in a stowed or sunpad configuration, and a right convertible seat assembly in a seating configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear, left perspective view of a watercraft according to another embodiment with a right convertible seat assembly in a lounge seating configuration, and a left convertible seat assembly being in a stowed or sunpad configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up view of the two convertible seat assemblies of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a close-up view of the two convertible seat assemblies of  FIG. 7  both in the stowed or sunpad configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of second and third panels of a convertible seat assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the convertible seat assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of two convertible seat assemblies according to an alternative embodiment of the convertible seat assembly of  FIG. 6  with the left convertible seat assembly in a stowed or sunpad configuration, and the right convertible seat assembly in a lounge seating configuration; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a convertible seat assembly according to another alternative embodiment of the convertible seat assembly of  FIG. 6 , with a lounge seating configuration shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic side elevation view of a convertible seat assembly according to yet another embodiment shown in a seating configuration, with a lounge seating configuration shown in solid lines; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of two convertible seat assemblies according to yet another embodiment with a left convertible seat assembly in a stowed or sunpad configuration, and a right convertible seat assembly in a lounge seating configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will be described with respect to a sport boat. However, it should be understood that other types of watercraft are contemplated. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a watercraft  1  has a hull  2  and a deck  4  supported by the hull  2 . The deck  4  has a forward passenger area  22  located at a bow of the watercraft  1 , and a rearward passenger area  24  located at an aft of the watercraft  1 . A right console  26  and a left console  28  are disposed on either side of the deck  4  between the two passenger areas  22 ,  24 . A passageway  30  disposed between the two consoles  26 ,  28  allows for communication between the two passenger areas  22 ,  24 . A door  31  is used to selectively open and close the passageway  30 . 
     The forward passenger area  22  has a C-shaped seating area  36  for passengers to sit on. The rearward passenger area  24  also has a C-shaped seating area  38  at the back thereof. A driver seat  40  facing the right console  26  and a passenger seat  42  facing the left console  24  are also disposed in the rearward passenger area  24 . It is contemplated that the driver and passenger seats  40 ,  42  can swivel so that the passengers occupying these seats can socialize with passengers occupying the C-shaped seating area  38 . A windshield  39  is provided at least partially on the left and right consoles  24 ,  26  and forwardly of the rearward passenger area  24  to shield the passengers sitting in that area from the wind when the watercraft  1  is in movement. The right and left consoles  26 ,  28  extend inwardly from their respective side of the boat  20 . At least a portion of each of the right and the left consoles  26 ,  28  is integrally formed with the deck  4 . The right console  26  has a recess  44  formed on the lower portion of the back thereof to accommodate the feet of the driver sitting in the driver seat  40  and an angled portion of the right console  26  acts as a footrest  46 . A foot pedal  47  is provided on the footrest  46  which may be used to control the jet propulsion system  84  as described in greater detail below. The left console  28  has a similar recess (not shown) to accommodate the feet of the passenger sitting in the passenger seat  42 . The right console  26  accommodates all of the elements necessary to the driver to operate the watercraft  1 . These include, but are not limited to: a steering assembly including a steering wheel  48 , a throttle operator  76  in the form of a throttle lever, and an instrument panel  52 . The instrument panel  52  has various dials indicating the watercraft speed, engine speed, fuel and oil level, and engine temperature. It is contemplated that the elements attached to the right console  26  could be different than those mentioned above. The left console  28  incorporates a storage compartment (not shown) which is accessible to the passenger sitting the passenger seat  42 . 
     A reboarding platform  52  located at the aft of the watercraft  1  is used for passengers to easily reboard the watercraft  1  from the water. It is contemplated that the reboarding platform  52  could instead be located at the bow of the watercraft  1 . The reboarding platform  52  is integrally formed with the deck  4 . Alternatively, the reboarding platform  52  could be separate from the deck  4  and be connected to the deck  4  or the hull  2 . It is contemplated that the reboarding platform  52  could have more than one level, and that the reboarding platform  52  could be higher or lower than a floor of the deck  4 . A retractable ladder (not shown) may be affixed to a transom  54  of the watercraft  1  to facilitate boarding the watercraft  1  from the water onto the reboarding platform  52 . At least one engine (not shown) is located at the aft of the watercraft  1  between the hull  2  and the deck  4 . The engine powers a jet propulsion system  84 . It is contemplated that the watercraft  1  could have two engines and two jet propulsion systems  84 . A sunpad  33  mounted on a pedestal  51  is located between the rearward passenger area  24  and the reboarding platform  52 . The sunpad  33  is used by passengers to sunbathe thereon while the watercraft  1  is not in motion. When located above the engine, the sunpad  33  also acts as an engine cover  32 . It is contemplated that the sunpad  33  could be located at the bow of the watercraft  1  if the reboarding platform  52  were also to be located at the bow of the watercraft  1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a convertible seat assembly  100  for the reboarding platform  52  of the watercraft  1  will be described. The watercraft  1  comprising two identical convertible seat assemblies  100 , for simplicity only one convertible seat assembly  100  will be described. 
     The convertible seat assembly  100  comprises a first panel  110  and a second panel  112 . The first panel  110  is fixed to a side (or wall) of the pedestal  51  facing the reboarding platform  52 . The second panel  112  is hinged to that same side of the pedestal  51 , underneath the first panel  110 . Alternatively, the second panel  112  could be hinged to the first panel  110  or to the reboarding platform  52 . The first panel  110  and the second panel  112  are square shaped cushions mounted on rigid boards. It is contemplated that the first panel  110  and the second panel  112  could be of another shape, such as a rectangle. 
     In a stowed configuration  133  (shown in  FIG. 2 , left side), the second panel  112  is disposed along the first panel  110  in a generally vertical position. In this configuration, the convertible seat assembly  100  is not in use, and the reboarding platform  52  is unobstructed. In a seating configuration  103  (shown in  FIG. 2 , right side), the second panel  112  is generally perpendicular to the first panel  110 , and forms a seat bottom, while the first panel  110  stays in a generally vertical position, and forms a seat back. 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  100  from the stowed configuration  133  to the seating configuration  103 , a user rotates the second panel  112  downwardly, away from the first panel  110 , until the second panel  112  reaches a generally horizontal position. To convert the convertible seat assembly  100  from the seating configuration  103  to the stowed configuration  133 , the user rotates the second panel  112  back toward the pedestal  51  and the first panel  110 , until reaching a generally vertical position. 
     It is contemplated that, the second panel  112  could be hinged to the pedestal  51  via a biased hinge which would bias the convertible seat assembly  100  toward the stowed configuration  133  when a person gets off the second panel  112 . It is also contemplated that, the first panel  110  could be hinged to the pedestal  51 , so as to allow the first panel  110  to form an inclined seat back when the convertible seat assembly  100  is in the seating configuration  103 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a convertible seat assembly  200  for a watercraft  11  will be described. The watercraft  11  comprising two identical convertible seat assemblies  200 , for simplicity only one convertible seat assembly  200  will be described. The watercraft  11  comprises generally the same features as the watercraft  1 . The common features of the watercraft  1  and  11  have been given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. The watercraft  11  differs with the watercraft  1  by the absence of the pedestal  51  and the sunpad  33 . In the watercraft  11 , the rearward passenger area  24  is separated from the reboarding platform  52  by a wall  208 . It is contemplated that the watercraft  11  could not comprise the wall  208  and that the rearward passenger area  24  would be separated from the reboarding platform  52  by the C-shaped seating area  38 , a back of which would serve as the wall  208  for the purposes of mounting the convertible seat assemblies  200 . 
     The convertible seat assembly  200  comprises a first panel  210  and a second panel  212 . Both panels are moveable between positions where the convertible seat assembly  200  provides a seating configuration  203 , and positions where the convertible seat assembly  200  forms a rest bench (or stowed configuration  233 ). In the stowed configuration  233 , the first panel  210  forms a generally horizontal pad, and the second panel  212  forms a generally vertical pedestal which supports the first panel  210  generally horizontally. In the seating configuration  203 , the first panel  210  forms a seat back, and the second panel  212  forms a seat bottom. 
     The two convertible seat assemblies  200  form two rest benches in the stowed configuration  233 , and two seats in the seating configuration  203 . It is contemplated that if the two convertible seat assemblies  200  were positioned adjacent to each other in a side-by-side relationship, the two convertible seat assemblies  200  would form, in the stowed configuration  233 , a sunpad instead of two separate rest benches. Alternatively, if the two convertible seat assemblies  200  were mounted on the pedestal  51  of the watercraft  1 , the sunpad or the rest benches formed by the convertible seat assemblies  200  in the stowed configuration  233  would be contiguous to the sunpad  33  of the watercraft  1  and would form a single extended sunpad. 
     The first panel  210  is pivotally connected via a hinge  215  to a corner of a top of the wall  208 . It is contemplated that, the hinge  215  could be positioned at a different location on the wall  208 . The hinge  215  allows to move the first panel  210  between a generally horizontal pad position (shown in  FIG. 3 , right side) when the convertible seat assembly  200  is in the sunpad configuration  233 , and a generally vertical seat back position (shown in  FIG. 3 , left side) when the convertible seat assembly  200  is in a seating configuration  203 . A bottom of the first panel  210  comprises a groove (not shown) which accommodates an end of the second panel  212  such that the groove locks the convertible seat assembly  200  when in the stowed configuration  233 . The groove helps to maintain the convertible seat assembly in the stowed configuration  233  despite vibrations or motion of the watercraft  11  during cruising. It is contemplated that the bottom of the first panel  210  could comprise a protrusion instead of the groove, and that the protrusion would retain by abutment the second panel  212  in the generally vertical pedestal position when the convertible seat assembly  200  is in the stowed configuration  233 . The first panel  210  preferably has a cushioned top (not shown) for added comfort and a rigid board (not shown) for enhanced rigidity. The cushioned top of the first panel  210  is preferably provided with waterproof lining. 
     The second panel  212  is hinged to the wall  208 . It is contemplated that the second panel  212  could be hinged to the reboarding platform  52 . The second panel  212  is preferably hinged near a bottom of the wall  208 , such that the second panel  212  rests on the reboarding platform  52  when the convertible seat assembly  200  is in the seating configuration  203 . The second panel  212  pivots between a substantially vertical position, where the second panel  212  rests along the wall  208  (stowed or sunpad configuration  233 ), and a generally horizontal position where the second panel  212  rests onto the reboarding platform  52  (seating configuration  203 ). The second panel  212  has a shape complementary with an inclined protrusion  217  of the wall  208  so as to provide support to the first panel  210  when the convertible seat assembly  200  is in the stowed configuration  233 . In addition, when the convertible seat assembly  200  is in the seating configuration  203 , the inclined protrusion  217  provides a reclined orientation to the first panel  210 . It is contemplated that the wall  208  could not comprise the inclined protrusion  217  and that the shape of the first panel  210  and the second panel  212  would be modified accordingly. The second panel  212  has a handle  224  to grab the convertible seat assembly  200  during conversion of the convertible seat assembly  200 . The second panel  212  is angled slightly upwardly for comfortably accommodating the back of thighs of the user when the convertible seat assembly  200  is in the seating configuration  203 . The second panel  212  connects to the wall  208  preferably via a biased hinge  226  which slows down the falling of the second panel  212  when the convertible seat assembly  200  is being moved from the stowed configuration  233  to the seating configuration  203 . The biased hinge  226  preferably has a set opening angle in order to provide a desired inclination to accommodate the thighs of the user when the convertible seat assembly  200  is in the seating configuration  203 . The second panel  212  also comprises a cushioned top for added comfort, which is preferably provided with waterproof lining. 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  200  from the stowed position  233  to the seating configuration  203 , and with arrows indicating a direction of motion in  FIG. 4 , the user rotates the first panel  210  upwardly slightly above the generally horizontal pad position in order to separate and unlock the second panel  212  from the groove in the first panel  210 . The user then pivots the second panel  212  downwardly toward the reboarding platform  52  to form the seat bottom, while the first panel  210  pivots by itself or with the help of the user, toward the wall  208  to form the seat back. 
     To stow the convertible seat assembly  200 , the user rotates the first panel  210  upwardly until the generally horizontal pad position is reached, and rotates the second panel  212  upwardly toward the wall  208  until the generally vertical pedestal position is reached. The user then continues to rotate the first panel  210  until slightly above the generally horizontal pad position, and adjusts the second panel  212  between ends of the first panel  210  into the groove of the first panel  210 . When the second panel  212  is adjusted into the groove of the first panel  210 , the convertible seat assembly  200  is locked into the sunpad configuration  233 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , another convertible seat assembly  300  for the watercraft  11  will be described. It is contemplated that the convertible seat assembly  300  could alternatively be mounted to the side of the pedestal  51  of the watercraft  1  facing the reboarding platform  52 . 
     The convertible seat assembly  300  comprises a first panel  310  hinged to the wall  208 , and a second panel  312  pivotally connected via a live hinge (not shown) to the first panel  310 . The live hinge could be made of non-corrosive metal, fabric, or polymer. Similarly to the convertible seat assembly  200 , the first panel  310  is hinged to the wall  208  which faces the reboarding platform  52 . The first panel  310  can be pivoted from a generally horizontal pad position to a generally vertical seat back position. A groove (not shown) in the reboarding platform  52  is used to accommodate an end of the second panel  312  when the convertible seat assembly  300  is in a stowed configuration  333  for locking and maintaining the convertible seat assembly  300  in a stowed configuration  333  despite vibrations or motion of the watercraft  11  during cruising. It is contemplated that the reboarding platform  52  could comprise a protrusion instead of a groove such as to retain by abutment the second panel  312  in a generally vertical pedestal position when the convertible seat assembly  300  is in the stowed configuration  333 . 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  300  to the stowed or sunpad configuration  333 , the user rotates the first panel  310  until a position slightly above the generally vertical pad position. By lifting the first panel  310 , the user lifts the second panel  312 . Once rotated, the user positions the second panel  312  underneath the first panel  310  into the groove in the reboarding platform  52 . In that position, the second panel  312 . forms a generally vertical pedestal which supports the first panel  310  in a generally horizontal pad position. 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  300  into a seating configuration  303 , the user grabs the second panel  312 , and pivots the panels  310  and  312  until the first panel  310  is positioned along the side of the wall  208 , and the second panel  312  is positioned on the reboarding platform  52 . In that configuration, the first panel  310  forms a seat back and the second panel  312  forms a seat bottom. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 6 to 11 , another convertible seat assembly  400  for the watercraft  11  will be described. The watercraft  11  comprising two identical convertible seat assemblies  400 , for simplicity only one convertible seat assembly  400  will be described. The two convertible seat assemblies  400  are adjacent, and together form, in the stowed (or sunpad) configuration  433 , a sunpad which leaves the reboarding platform  52  unobstructed. Alternatively, the two convertible seat assemblies  400  could be connected to the side of the pedestal  51  of the watercraft  1  facing the reboarding platform  52 , and form with the sunpad  33 , in the stowed configuration  433 , an extended sunpad. 
     The convertible seat assembly  400  comprises a first panel  410  similar to the first panel  210 , a second panel  412  similar to the second panel  212 , and a third panel  414 . Features of the first panel  410  and the second panel  412  that are common to the first panel  210  and the second panel  212  will not be repeated. The presence of the third panel  414  allows the convertible seat assembly  400  to have a lounge seating configuration  421  instead of the seating configuration  203 . When the convertible seat assembly  400  is in the lounge seating configuration  421 , the third panel  414  acts as a leg rest, while the second panel  412  acts as a seat bottom, and the first panel  410  as a back rest. In the stowed configuration  433 , the first panel  410  acts as a sunpad, and the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  act as a pedestal to support to the first panel  410  into a generally horizontal position. 
     The third panel  414  is smaller than the second panel  412  and has a shape complementary to the shape of the second panel  412 . Furthermore, an assembly of the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  has a shape complementary with the inclined protrusion  217  of the wall  208 . The inclined protrusion  217  provides support to the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  when the convertible seat assembly  400  is in the stowed configuration  433 , and positions the first panel  410  as a reclined seat back when the convertible seat assembly  400  is in the lounge seating configuration  421 . It is contemplated that the wall  208  could not comprise the inclined protrusion  217  and that the shape of the first panel  410 , the second panel  412 , and the third panel  414  would be modified accordingly. 
     A live hinge  427  of non-corrosive metal, fabric, or polymer connects the third panel  414  to the second panel  412 . The live hinge  427  has a set opening angle so as to keep the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  inclined relative to each other in order to accommodate thighs and calves, respectively, of the user, when the convertible seat assembly  400  is in the lounge seating position  421 . When in the convertible seat assembly  200  the second panel  212  comprises the handle  224 , in the convertible seat assembly  400 , the third panel  414  instead comprises a handle  424  integrally formed therein to ease conversions of the seat assembly  400 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , in the stowed or sunpad configuration  433 , the two convertible seat assemblies  400  form a single sunpad. Alternatively, if the two convertible seat assemblies  400  were apart, they would form, in the stowed configuration  433 , two rest benches. It is contemplated that the two convertible seat assemblies  400  could be separated by a padded section, such that the padded section acts as a bridge between the two convertible seat assemblies  400  in order to form a single extended sunpad in the stowed configuration  433 . 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  400  from the sunpad configuration  433  to the lounge seating configuration  421 , the user rotates the first panel  410  slightly above a generally horizontal pad position in order to unlock the second panel  412  from the groove of the first panel  410 . The user then rotates the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  toward the reboarding platform  52  until they both reach a generally horizontal position. Meanwhile, the first panel  410  is rotated downwardly toward the wall  208  to reach a generally vertical seat back position. The third panel  414  is finally adjusted with respect to the second panel  412  to form an angle with the second panel  412  for accommodating legs of the user 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  400  from the lounge seating configuration  421  to the sunpad configuration  433 , the user folds the third panel  414  below the second panel  412  and forms a second panel-third panel assembly. The first panel  410  is rotated upwardly toward a generally horizontal pad position, while the assembly is rotated upwardly against the inclined protrusion  217  of the wall  208 . The user continues to rotate the first panel  410  until a position slightly above the generally horizontal pad position. The second panel-third panel assembly is then adjusted between ends of the first panel  410  into the groove of the bottom of the first panel  410 . Once adjusted, the first panel  410  rests solidly is a locked position on an end of second panel  412 . The second panel-third panel assembly, when in the generally vertical position, forms a pedestal to the sunpad formed by the first panel  410 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , in an alternative embodiment of the convertible seat assembly  400 , the third panel  414  comprises a protrusion  420  mating with a recess  422  in the second panel  412  when the convertible seat assembly  400  is in the stowed configuration  433 . The mating of the protrusion  420  into the recess  422  prevents lateral movement when the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  are assembled. It is contemplated that the second panel  412  could comprise the protrusion  420  and the third panel  414  could comprise the recess  422 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment of the convertible seat assembly  400  comprises a third panel  414  being a thin panel. The third panel  414  does not provide support to the first panel in the stowed configuration  433 . Although the third panel  414  forms part of the pedestal in the stowed configuration  433 , the structural support to the first panel  410  in that configuration is mainly provided by the second panel  412 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , in another alternative embodiment of the convertible seat assembly  400 , the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  have wedge shapes so as to provide a concave seat bottom and a convex leg rest without the need of the reduced opening angle live hinge  427  between the second panel  412  and the third panel  414 . The bottom of the first panel  410  comprises a protrusion  415  in place of the groove in the previously presented embodiments of the convertible assembly  400 . The protrusion  415  abuts the end of the second panel  412  when the convertible seat assembly  400  is in the sunpad configuration  433 . In the lounge seating configuration  421  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 11 ), the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  lay flat on the reboarding platform  52 , and the inclination of the second panel  412  and the third panel  414  is given by the shape of the wedges themselves. The wedges have complementary shapes such that the third panel  414  is folded on top of the second panel  412  to form a compact pedestal. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , another convertible seat assembly  500  for the watercraft  11  will be described. Alternatively, the convertible seat assembly  500  could be mounted to the pedestal  51  of the watercraft  1 . 
     The convertible seat assembly  500  comprises a first panel  510 , a second panel  512 , and a third panel  514 . The panels  510  and  512  are similar to, and operate in the same manner as panels  410  and  412 , respectively. Therefore, features of the first panel  510  and the second panel  512 , common to the first panel  410  and the second panel  412  respectively will not be repeated. The third panel  514 , however, is slidably connected to the second panel  512 . The third panel  514  is an optional leg rest. Hence the convertible seat assembly  500  forms a seat when the third panel  514  is slid inside the second panel  512 , and a lounge chair when the third panel  514  is slid out the second panel  512 . 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  500  from a stowed position to a seating position  503 , the first panel  510  and the second panel  512  are operated similarly to the first panel  410  and the second panel  412 . To obtain the leg rest, converting the convertible seat assembly  500  from a seating configuration  503  to a lounge seating configuration  521 , the user slides the third panel  514  out of the second panel  512  until a knob  551  abuts a ledge in the second panel  512 , and rotates the third panel  514  downwardly to position an end of the third panel  514  onto the reboarding platform  52 . The position of the third panel  514  achieves an ergonomic inclination with respect to the second panel  512 . If the user does not wish to use the leg rest and wants to convert the convertible seat assembly  500  from the lounge seating configuration  521  back to the seating configuration  503 , the user slides the third panel  514  back inside the second panel  512  (shown in phantom). It is contemplated that the second panel  512  and the third panel  514  could be slidably connected in a different manner. For example, the third panel  514  could be slid over the second panel  512 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 13 , another convertible seat assembly  600  for the watercraft  11  will be described. Alternatively, the convertible seat assembly  600  could be mounted to the pedestal  51  of the watercraft  1 . A first panel  610  is pivotally connected to the wall  208 . A second panel  612  is pivotally connected to the first panel  610 , and a third panel  614  is pivotally connected to the second panel  612 . The panels  610 ,  612 , and  614  are connected together, and conversion of the seat assembly  600  is achieved by folding and unfolding the panels with respect to each other. It is contemplated that the wall  208  could comprise the inclined protrusion  217  and that the shapes of the panels  610 ,  612  and  614  would be modified accordingly. The reboarding platform  52  comprises a groove (not shown) to accommodate an end of the second panel  612  when the convertible seat assembly  600  is in a stowed or sunpad configuration  633 . Alternatively, the reboarding platform  52  could comprise a protrusion on which the second panel  612  could abut. 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  600  from a lounge seating configuration  621  to the sunpad configuration  633 , and with arrows indicating direction of motion, the third panel  614  is pivoted downwardly to fit under the second panel  612  to form a second panel-third panel assembly. The second panel-third panel assembly is then pivoted toward the wall  208  until a generally vertical position is reached, while the first panel  610  is pivoted away from the wall  208  into a generally horizontal position to allow the second panel-third panel assembly to be positioned underneath the first panel  610 . The second panel-third panel assembly is then adjusted into the groove of the reboarding platform  52  in order to give the first panel  610  support. 
     To convert the convertible seat assembly  600  from the sunpad configuration  633  to the lounge seating configuration  621 , the user rotates the first panel  610  slightly above a generally horizontal position in order to free the end of the second panel  612  from the groove of the reboarding platform  52 . The first panel  610  is then pivoted toward the wall  208  until reaching a generally vertical seat back position, while the second panel  612  and the third panel  614  are pivoted away from the wall  208  toward the reboarding platform  52  until reaching a generally horizontal seat bottom and leg rest position. 
     Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.