Patent Description:
Recreational boating is often a social activity in which more than three or four people are in a boat together. In addition, a number of boats may meet up and, for example, anchor or beach together. When boats meet up, the activity may switch from being focused within the cockpit of the boat to water activities off of the stern of the boat. In such a case, people may want to sit in aft-facing seats in the stern of the boat to watch or engage with persons participating in the water activities. However, existing aft-facing stern seating configurations generally do not have sufficient seating for all of the occupants of the boat. It is thus desired to have a boat with additional aft-facing seats and, in particular, additional aft-facing seats that are configured to provide a view of the water for all of the occupants of these seats.

A boat including a helm seat with a flip seatback and a transom with a backrest is disclosed in a YouTube video from <NPL>). <CIT> discloses a watercraft with a convertible seat assembly having first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the convertible seat assembly is stowed, and in the second configuration, the convertible seat assembly forms a seat. <CIT> discloses a seat for a marine vessel capable of multiple positions while maintaining a hidden or concealed look when closed. The seat has a seat back hingeably attached to a seat bottom and a seat back cap hingeably attached to a leading edge of the seat back. The seat is operable between a plurality of selected positions including an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the seat back is upright and the seat provides at least one traditional seating surface. In the closed position, the seat back rests substantially parallel on the seat bottom and a rear surface of the seat back functions as a sun pad. In the closed position, the seat back cap is deployed over a leading edge of the seat bottom and the leading edge of the seat back to conceal the seat. A positionable leg extension pad extends from the seat bottom. The seat is disposed toward the aft of the vessel but forward of a transom.

The invention relates to a boat including first and second aft-facing seats. The first aft-facing seat has a first seating surface, and the second aft-facing seat has a second seating surface. The second seating surface (i) is forward of the first seating surface and (ii) moveable between a retracted position and at least one raised position. The second seating surface is configured to be a seat bottom in both the retracted position and the at least one raised position.

The boat may include, in addition, a third aft-facing seat. The third aft-facing seat has a third seating surface. The first seating surface is (i) forward of the third seating surface and (i) at a level higher than the third seating surface. The second seating surface is at a level higher than the first seating surface.

The first aft-facing seat may include an aft member having an upper surface and a forward member having an upper surface. The upper surface of the aft member is the first seating surface. The forward member is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the upper surface of the forward member forms a substantially flat surface with the upper surface of the aft member, and, in the second position, the upper surface of the forward member is inclined upward relative to the upper surface of the aft member such that it forms a seatback for the first aft-facing seat. The second seating surface preferably is at a level higher than the first seating surface.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure.

As used herein, directional terms forward (fore), aft, inboard, and outboard have their commonly understood meaning in the art. Relative to the boat, forward is a direction towards the bow, and aft is a direction towards the stem. Likewise, inboard is a direction toward the center of the boat and outboard is a direction away from it.

<FIG> shows a boat <NUM> having an aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The boat <NUM> includes a hull <NUM> with a bow <NUM>, a transom <NUM>, a port side <NUM>, and a starboard side <NUM>. The port and starboard sides <NUM>, <NUM> have port and starboard gunwales <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. The boat <NUM> has a centerline <NUM> running down the middle of the boat <NUM>, halfway between the port and starboard sides <NUM>, <NUM>. Collectively, the bow <NUM>, the transom <NUM>, and the port and starboard sides <NUM>, <NUM> define an interior <NUM> of the boat <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the boat <NUM> is a bowrider having a bow seating area <NUM> positioned in the bow <NUM> of the boat <NUM> and a primary seating area <NUM> (sometimes also referred to as the cockpit) positioned aft of a windshield <NUM>. Although described in reference to a bowrider, this invention may be used with any suitable boat, including cuddies, center consoles, pontoon boats, and cruisers, for example. In addition, the boat <NUM> includes a stern seating area <NUM>, which includes the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM>. The stern seating area <NUM> is in the aft half of the boat <NUM> and, more preferably, in the aft third of the boat <NUM>.

In the configuration shown in <FIG>, the primary seating area <NUM> includes an L-shaped seat <NUM>. One part of the L-shaped seat <NUM> is along the port side of the boat <NUM>, and another is transverse to the centerline <NUM> of the boat <NUM>. A forward elevated portion <NUM> of a seat support structure <NUM> will be described further below. In this embodiment, the seatback of the portion of the L-shaped seat <NUM> that is transverse to the centerline <NUM> is supported by a forward-facing surface of the forward elevated portion <NUM> of a seat support structure <NUM>. Also within the primary seating area <NUM> is a control console <NUM> for operating the boat <NUM>. Here, the control console <NUM> is positioned on the starboard side of the boat <NUM> proximate to and aft of the windshield <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the boat <NUM> is a inboard/outboard (also referred to as a stemdrive) that includes two (inboard) motors (not shown), each connected to a stemdrive mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>). However, this invention can be utilized with other types of boats and propulsion systems, including but not limited to outboard motors, jet drives, inboards, and the like.

The boat <NUM> also includes a reboarding platform <NUM>, which is sometimes also referred to as a swim platform. The reboarding platform <NUM> includes an upper surface <NUM> and a trailing edge <NUM>. The reboarding platform <NUM>, and in particular the upper surface <NUM>, is generally horizontal. The reboarding platform <NUM> extends aft from the boat <NUM> and may be used to help people get in and out of the water. The reboarding platform <NUM> may include a ladder <NUM> that can be stowed in the reboarding platform <NUM> to assist with this purpose. The reboarding platform <NUM> may be used as a seat while the boat <NUM> is not moving through the water. For example, a person may sit on the upper surface <NUM> of the reboarding platform <NUM> with their legs over the trailing edge <NUM> of the reboarding platform <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Thus, as used herein, the reboarding platform <NUM> may be an aft-facing seat with the upper surface <NUM> being a seating surface, and the reboarding platform <NUM> may be a part of the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM>. A person seated on the upper surface <NUM> of the reboarding platform <NUM> is not limited to the posture shown in <FIG> and described above, and the person may sit in other aft-facing postures including, for example, with their legs also on the upper surface <NUM> instead of over the trailing edge <NUM>.

The reboarding platform <NUM> of this embodiment is formed integrally with the hull <NUM> of the boat <NUM> and positioned above the transom <NUM>. The invention described herein is not limited to integral reboarding platforms. The invention may also be used on boats having, for example, a separate platform attached to the transom <NUM> or even with boats that do not have a reboarding platform <NUM>. <FIG> shows an alternate stern of the boat <NUM> with a horizontal swim platform <NUM> attached to the transom <NUM>. The swim platform <NUM> should be capable of supporting a human, and is preferably capable of supporting at least <NUM> lbs. , and even more preferably <NUM> lbs. The swim platform <NUM> may be constructed from any suitable material that may be used in a marine environment, including, for example, fiberglass and teak. In this embodiment, the swim platform <NUM> is attached to the transom <NUM> of the boat <NUM> using two brackets <NUM>, and fasteners, such as screws, are used to attach the brackets <NUM> to the swim platform <NUM> and the transom <NUM>. Any suitable means of attachment known in the art, however, may be used, including but not limited to bolts, rivets, welding, adhesive, and the like. Alternatively, the brackets <NUM> may be integrally formed into either the swim platform <NUM> or the transom <NUM> of the boat <NUM>. Similarly, the swim platform <NUM> may be attached to the transom <NUM> by any suitable means and is not limited to the use of brackets <NUM>.

<FIG> show an aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> includes first aft-facing seats <NUM> and second aft-facing seats <NUM>. There are three first aft-facing seats <NUM> positioned adjacent to each other in this embodiment. Each first aft-facing seat <NUM> has similar features, and thus the description of one first aft-facing seat <NUM> applies equally to all three first aft-facing seats <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first aft-facing seats <NUM> are reclining or lounge style seats, which collectively form a sun pad. Thus, as used herein, the first aft-facing seats <NUM> will be referred to as sun pad seats <NUM>. The sun pad seat <NUM> includes an aft member <NUM>, a forward member <NUM>, and a backrest <NUM>. Each of the aft member <NUM> and the forward member <NUM> is a cushion attached to a structural member, such as a plate or a frame. Preferably, the cushions discussed herein (including those discussed below) are constructed from a soft but supportive material, such as triple-density foam, and are covered with a waterproof material, such as premium grade vinyl. Each of the aft member <NUM> and the forward member <NUM> also includes an upper surface <NUM>, <NUM>. In the configuration shown in <FIG> and <FIG> (also referred to herein as a reclined position of the sun pad seat <NUM>), the upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the forward member <NUM> are at substantially the same the same height, forming a substantially flat surface of the sun pad. With each of the sun pad seats <NUM> in the reclined position, a person can, for example, lie on the sun pad. A person can also lounge on the sun pad seat <NUM> with their buttocks on the upper surface <NUM> of the forward member <NUM>, legs or feet on the upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM>, and back on the backrest <NUM>. A person also can sit on the sun pad seat <NUM> in any posture, including other the aft-facing postures, such as those discussed further below.

The aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> of this embodiment includes a seat support structure <NUM> supporting the sun pad seats <NUM>. The seat support structure <NUM> includes two elevated portions of the deck of the boat <NUM>: an aft elevated portion <NUM> and a forward elevated portion <NUM>. As will be described further below, the aft elevated portion <NUM> is separated from the forward elevated portion <NUM> by a foot surface <NUM>. The backrest <NUM> of the sun pad seats <NUM> is a cushion mounted to an aft-facing surface of the forward elevated portion <NUM>. The backrest <NUM> includes an aft-facing surface <NUM> that is inclined relative to the upper surface <NUM> of the forward member <NUM> when the forward member <NUM> is in the reclined position. The aft-facing surface <NUM> of the backrest <NUM> is inclined at an angle α relative to the upper surface <NUM> of the forward member <NUM>. Preferably, this angle α is <NUM>° or greater, more preferably from <NUM>° to <NUM>°.

In this embodiment, the sun pad seat <NUM> is also configurable into an inclined position. In the inclined position, the forward member <NUM> is used as a backrest instead of a seating surface. The forward member <NUM> is moveable relative to the aft member <NUM> to form an angle β between the upper surface <NUM> of the forward member <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM>. Preferably, this angle β is <NUM>° or greater, more preferably from <NUM>° to <NUM>°. A pivot mechanism <NUM> is used to allow the forward member <NUM> to move between positions, and any suitable pivot mechanism <NUM> may be used, such as the pivot mechanisms shown and described in commonly-assigned <CIT> (the '<NUM> patent). If the pivot mechanisms of the '<NUM> patent were used, for example, the forward member <NUM> could be attached like the headrest as disclosed in the '<NUM> patent and moved between the reclined position and the inclined position manually by a person lifting the forward edge of the forward member <NUM> and moving it upwards and aft.

With the forward member <NUM> in the inclined position, a person can sit on the sun pad seat <NUM> with their buttocks on the upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM>, their back on the upper surface <NUM> of the forward member <NUM>, and their legs over the aft elevated portion <NUM> of the seat support structure <NUM> such that their feet are on the upper surface <NUM> of the reboarding platform <NUM> as shown as shown in <FIG>. In this configuration, the upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM> is a seating surface and the person occupying the sun pad seat <NUM> is facing aft.

As shown in this embodiment, the person faces directly aft when the sun pad seat <NUM> is occupied; that is, the plane of the upper surface <NUM> of the forward member <NUM> and the aft-facing surface <NUM> of the backrest <NUM> are generally orthogonal to the centerline <NUM> of the boat <NUM>. However, the sun pad seats <NUM> do not need to be positioned to face the occupant directly aft. Instead, variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention, including, for example, angling the upper surface <NUM> of the forward member <NUM> or the aft-facing surface <NUM> of the backrest <NUM> up to and including <NUM>° relative to the centerline <NUM> of the boat <NUM>.

The three sun pad seats <NUM> collectively preferably have a width that spans a majority of the beam of the boat <NUM>, and more preferably at least two-thirds of the beam of the boat <NUM>. In this embodiment, the three sun pad seats <NUM> extend across the entire beam of the boat <NUM> except for the port and starboard gunwales <NUM>, <NUM> and a passageway <NUM> on the starboard side of the boat <NUM> connecting the primary seating area <NUM> with the reboarding platform <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, each of the sun pad seats <NUM> is one third of the collective width of the three sun pad seats <NUM>. Although described herein as three separate sun pad seats <NUM>, the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> is not so limited. Instead, for example, the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> may have one sun pad seat <NUM> that is as wide as the three sun pad seats <NUM> collectively. Put another way, the first aft-facing seat <NUM> may be a bench-style seat when the forward member <NUM> is in the inclined position.

The second aft-facing seat <NUM> of the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> is retractable and moves from a retracted position to a raised position, and the second aft-facing seat <NUM> will also be referred to as a retractable seat <NUM> herein. <FIG> shows the retractable seat <NUM> in the retracted position, and <FIG> show the retractable seat <NUM> in a raised position. There are three retractable seats <NUM> positioned next to each other in this embodiment. Each retractable seat <NUM> has similar features, and thus the description of one retractable seat <NUM> applies equally to all three retractable seats <NUM>.

The retractable seat <NUM> of this embodiment is a pedestal-type seat with a pedestal <NUM> that supports a seat cushion <NUM> having an integrated plate on the underside of the cushion <NUM>. The integrated plate supports the cushion <NUM> and connects the cushion <NUM> to the pedestal <NUM>. Any suitable connection may be used, including bolting or welding, for example. The seat cushion <NUM> has an upper surface <NUM> which is a seating surface on which a person sits. In this embodiment, the retractable seat <NUM> is a stool-type seat and does not have a seatback.

In this embodiment, the retractable seat <NUM> is manually raised and lowered, but any suitable mechanism may be used to raise and lower the retractable seat <NUM> including a hydraulic cylinder or a linear electric actuator, for example. Although the retractable seat <NUM> may be solely manually operated (e.g., where the pedestal <NUM> comprises a cylinder that slides within another cylinder and has a lock to lock the cylinders relative to each other), the retractable seat <NUM> of this embodiment uses a pneumatic spring within the pedestal <NUM>.

A lever <NUM> is located under the seat cushion <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM>. To raise the retractable seat <NUM>, a person grabs the lever <NUM>, which allows the pneumatic spring to raise the retractable seat <NUM> until the person releases the lever <NUM> or the pedestal <NUM> reaches its maximum height. To lower the retractable seat <NUM>, a person applies a downward force to pneumatic spring while grabbing the lever <NUM>. The downward force may be applied on the upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM>, such as by the person sitting on the cushion <NUM>. While the lever <NUM> is grabbed and the downward force is applied, the seat lowers until the person releases the lever <NUM> or the retractable seat <NUM> is in its retracted position. In this embodiment, each of the retractable seats <NUM> has a plurality of raised positions and each of the retractable seats <NUM> is independently adjustable to one of the plurality of raised positions as can be seen in <FIG>.

The forward elevated portion <NUM> of the seat support structure <NUM> has an upper surface <NUM>. In the retracted position, the bottom of the cushion <NUM> rests on the upper surface <NUM> of the forward elevated portion <NUM>. The forward elevated portion <NUM> also has a recess to accommodate the lever <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM>. The backrest <NUM> of each of the sun pad seats <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> that allows a person to put their hand through the opening <NUM> and raise the retractable seat <NUM> when it is in the retracted position to grab the lever <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the pedestals <NUM> of the retractable seats <NUM> are aligned in a line that intersects to the centerline <NUM> of the boat <NUM>, and preferably in a line that is orthogonal to the centerline <NUM> of the boat <NUM>. Each of the retractable seats <NUM> is forward of the sun pad seats <NUM>, and in this embodiment, the pedestal <NUM> of one of the retractable seats <NUM> is aligned with the center of a corresponding one of the sun pad seats <NUM>. The pedestals <NUM> of the retractable seats <NUM> are positioned forward of the sun pad seats <NUM> such that an upper edge <NUM> of the backrest <NUM> of a corresponding sun pad seat <NUM> is underneath the cushion <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM>.

When an occupant is seated in an aft-facing position on the retractable seat <NUM>, they are seated on the upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> with their feet aft, over the backrest <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>. When the forward member <NUM> of the sun pad seat <NUM> is in its inclined position, the forward member <NUM> exposes a portion <NUM> of the seat support structure <NUM>. This portion <NUM> is referred to herein as a foot surface <NUM> of the deck and is a place on which a person seated on the retractable seats <NUM> can place their feet.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> of this embodiment provides for comfortable multi-level aft viewing positions. In this embodiment, the upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM> is higher than the upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM> of the sun pad seat <NUM> in all positions. This allows the person seated on the retractable seat <NUM> to be comfortably seated with their view in the aft direction unobstructed by the person in front of them seated on the sun pad seat <NUM>. In this embodiment, the upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM> is preferably adjustable from the retracted position to a height of <NUM> inches above its position in the retracted position. The upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM> is preferably nine inches above the upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM> of the sun pad seat <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM> of the sun pad seat <NUM> is preferably positioned higher than the upper surface <NUM> of the reboarding platform <NUM>, such as <NUM> inches above the upper surface <NUM> of the reboarding platform <NUM>. When the upper surface <NUM> of the reboarding platform <NUM> is used as a seating surface, the occupants of both the sun pad seats <NUM> and the retractable seats <NUM> can be comfortably seated with their view in an aft direction unobstructed by the person in front of them seated on the reboarding platform <NUM>. As discussed herein, the various seating surfaces are higher or lower than one another. In this embodiment, these positions are determined relative to the plane of the upper surface <NUM> of the reboarding platform <NUM> when the boat <NUM> is in its static flotation condition.

In the embodiment discussed above, the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> has three retractable seats <NUM>. The aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> is not so limited, however. <FIG> is the view of <FIG> showing another embodiment of an aft-facing seating configuration <NUM>. The aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> of this embodiment has one retractable seat <NUM>. The retractable seat <NUM> of this embodiment is a bench-style seat that has two pedestals <NUM> supporting either end of an elongated cushion <NUM>. The elongated cushion <NUM> has an upper surface <NUM> which is a seating surface on which multiple people can sit. Preferably, the retractable seat <NUM> has a width that is similar to that of the collective width of the sun pad seats <NUM>, such as a majority of the beam, for example. The retractable seat <NUM> of this embodiment is in other ways similar to the retractable seats <NUM> discussed in the preceding embodiment.

<FIG> show a further embodiment of an aft-facing seating configuration <NUM>. <FIG> is the view of <FIG> showing the retractable seats <NUM> in the retracted position, and <FIG> shows the retractable seats <NUM> in the raised position. The aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> of this embodiment is similar to the previous embodiments, but the upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM> in the retracted position is the same height the upper surface <NUM> of the aft member <NUM> of the sun pad seat <NUM>.

As discussed above, the aft-facing seating configurations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be used with any suitable boat. <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, show a pontoon boat <NUM> equipped with an aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> similar to the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Although the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> is not so limited, the first aft-facing seat <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes an aft member <NUM> and a backrest <NUM> and does not include a moveable forward member <NUM>.

The pontoon boat <NUM> of this embodiment includes at least a port-side pontoon <NUM> and a starboard-side pontoon <NUM> and is propelled by an outboard motor <NUM>. The port-side pontoon <NUM> and the starboard-side pontoon <NUM> are oriented in a longitudinal direction of the boat <NUM>, which extends in a fore and aft direction of the boat <NUM>. A plurality of cross beams (not shown) are connected to an upper side of each of the port-side pontoon <NUM> and the starboard-side pontoon <NUM> in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the boat <NUM>, which transverse direction in this embodiment is a port and starboard direction of the boat <NUM>. The cross beams support a deck <NUM> of the boat <NUM>, which also includes a stern deck <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first aft-facing seat <NUM> is an aft-facing seat located on the stern deck <NUM> of the boat <NUM>. The stern deck <NUM> may be used similarly to the reboarding platform <NUM>, discussed above. For example, an upper surface <NUM> of the stern deck <NUM> may be used as a seating surface as part of the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM>.

Although described above as aft-facing seating configurations, the various features of the seating configurations described herein may be used in other portions of the boat to form, for example, other multi-level seating configurations. For example, <FIG> and <FIG> show a multi-level seating configuration <NUM> in a forward seating area <NUM> of the boat <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The forward seating area <NUM> of this embodiment includes a port-side bench seat <NUM> and a starboard-side bench seat <NUM> located, respectively, on the port side and the starboard side of the centerline <NUM> of the boat <NUM>. In this embedment, the forward seating area <NUM> is located forward of the control console <NUM> for operating the boat <NUM>.

Although it may be also used with the starboard-side bench seat <NUM>, the multi-level seating configuration <NUM> is described with respect to the port-side bench seat <NUM>. The port-side bench seat <NUM> is an elongated seat that extends from just forward of the control console <NUM> to the front of the boat <NUM>. The port-side bench seat <NUM> of this embodiment includes a main seat bottom <NUM> and a moveable seat bottom <NUM>. Each of the main seat bottom <NUM> and the moveable seat bottom <NUM> is a cushion attached to a structural member, such as a plate or a frame. Multiple cushions may be used to form the main seat bottom <NUM>. In this embodiment, the main seat bottom <NUM> is constructed and operates similarly to the aft member <NUM> of the sun pad seat <NUM>, discussed above. The moveable seat bottom <NUM> operates similarly to the forward member <NUM> of the sun pad seat <NUM>, discussed above, and is moveable between a reclined position (shown in <FIG>) and an inclined position (shown in <FIG>). Each of the main seat bottom <NUM> and the moveable seat bottom <NUM> also includes an upper surface <NUM>, <NUM>. In the reclined position, the upper surface <NUM> of the main seat bottom <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the moveable seat bottom <NUM> are at substantially the same height, forming a substantially flat surface and a continuous bench seat.

With the moveable seat bottom <NUM> in the reclined position, an occupant of the port-side bench seat <NUM> may suitably sit in a center-facing position and also in a forward-facing position. In the center-facing position, the occupant may sit with their feet on the deck <NUM>, their buttocks on the main seat bottom <NUM> or the moveable seat bottom <NUM>, and their back on a center-facing backrest <NUM>. In this embodiment, the center-facing backrest <NUM> is formed on an inboard side of the fence panels on the port side of the boat <NUM>. The port-side bench seat <NUM> also includes a forward-facing backrest <NUM>, which is constructed similarly to the backrest <NUM> of the sun pad <NUM>, discussed above. In the forward-facing positing, the occupant may sit with their buttocks on the moveable seat bottom <NUM>, their back on the forward-facing backrest <NUM>, and their legs stretched in a forward direction on the main seat bottom <NUM>.

With the moveable seat bottom <NUM> in the inclined position, the moveable seat bottom <NUM> may be used as a backrest with the back of the occupant on the moveable seat bottom <NUM>, the buttocks of the occupant on the main seat bottom <NUM>, and their legs stretched in a forward direction on the main seat bottom <NUM>. Similar to the sun pad seat <NUM> discussed above, in this embodiment, the occupant faces directly forward when the port-side bench seat <NUM> is occupied in a forward-facing orientation; that is, the plane of the upper surface <NUM> of the moveable seat bottom <NUM> and a forward-facing surface <NUM> of the forward-facing backrest <NUM> are generally orthogonal to the centerline <NUM> of the boat <NUM>. However, the port-side bench seat <NUM> does not need to be positioned to face the occupant directly forward. Instead, variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention, including, for example, angling the upper surface <NUM> of the moveable seat bottom <NUM> or the forward-facing surface <NUM> of the forward-facing backrest <NUM> up to and including <NUM>° relative to the centerline <NUM> of the boat <NUM>.

The port-side bench seat <NUM> of this embodiment also includes a seat support structure <NUM>. The seat support structure <NUM> includes two portions that are elevated with respect to the deck <NUM> of the boat <NUM>: a forward elevated portion <NUM> and an aft elevated portion <NUM>. As with the seat support structure <NUM> of the sun pad seat <NUM>, the forward elevated portion <NUM> is separated from the aft elevated portion <NUM> by a foot surface <NUM>. The moveable seat bottom <NUM> spans the foot surface <NUM> in the reclined position. The forward-facing backrest <NUM> is a cushion mounted to a forward-facing surface of the aft elevated portion <NUM>.

The multi-level seating configuration <NUM> of this embodiment also includes a retractable seat <NUM>. <FIG> shows the retractable seat <NUM> in the retracted position, and <FIG> shows the retractable seat <NUM> in a raised position. The retractable seat <NUM> is positioned such that, in the retracted position, the bottom of the cushion <NUM> rests on an upper surface of the aft elevated portion <NUM>. When an occupant is seated in a forward-facing position on the retractable seat <NUM>, they are seated on the upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> with their feet forward, over the forward-facing backrest <NUM>. When the moveable seat bottom <NUM> of the port-side bench seat <NUM> is in its inclined position, the moveable seat bottom <NUM> exposes the foot surface <NUM> of the deck and is a place on which a person seated on the retractable seats <NUM> can place their feet.

Similarly to the sun pad seat <NUM>, the multi-level seating configuration <NUM> of this embodiment provides for comfortable multi-level forward viewing positions. In this embodiment, the upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM> is higher than the upper surface <NUM> of the main seat bottom <NUM> of the port-side bench seat <NUM> in all positions. This allows the person seated on the retractable seat <NUM> to be comfortably seated with their view in the forward direction unobstructed by the person in front of them seated on the port-side bench seat <NUM>. Other configurations of the retractable seat in the multi-level seating configuration <NUM>, however, are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. For example, in the retracted position, the upper surface <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> of the retractable seat <NUM> of this embodiment may be at substantially the same height as the upper surface <NUM> of the main seat bottom <NUM> of the port-side bench seat <NUM>, similar to the aft-facing seating configuration <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

While the foregoing discussion references certain materials, those skilled in the art will recognize that any material suitable for use in a marine environment and having other suitable characteristics for performing the functions discussed above (for example, strength and wear resistance) may be used in this invention.

Claim 1:
A boat (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a deck;
a first aft-facing seat (<NUM>) located on the deck and having a first seating surface (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a second aft-facing seat (<NUM>) located on the deck and having a second seating surface (<NUM>), the second seating surface (<NUM>) (i) being forward of the first seating surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) and (ii) moveable between a retracted position and at least one raised position, the second seating surface (<NUM>) being configured to be a seat bottom in both the retracted position and the at least one raised position, and
a generally horizontal reboarding platform (<NUM>) extending aft from the boat (<NUM>, <NUM>) and having an upper surface (<NUM>), the upper surface (<NUM>) of the generally horizontal reboarding platform (<NUM>) being at a level lower than the first seating surface (<NUM>, <NUM>).