Patent ID: 7887381

Claim:
An electrically powered kayak having an intended forward direction of travel, the kayak comprising: a seat formed in a cavity defined by a hull of the kayak; a propulsion unit cavity defined by the hull of the kayak, wherein the propulsion unit cavity is separate from the cavity with the seat, and wherein the propulsion unit cavity is formed forward of the seat with respect to the intended direction of travel; a retractable propulsion unit capable of being retracted into the propulsion unit cavity, the retractable propulsion unit comprising an assembly for steering control, a motor providing force to a propeller, and a shaft coupling the motor to the assembly, wherein the retractable propulsion unit can be steered by the assembly; one or more of a pivot point between the assembly and the motor, thereby allowing the motor to substantially retract into the cavity, and a shaft allowing the motor to be slidably extended for operation or retracted into the propulsion unit cavity for stowing; one or more of an electromagnet and a linear motion solenoid configured to selectively lock the motor into extended and fully retracted positions; and wherein the motor and the propeller substantially occupy the cavity in the fully retracted position.