WO2008031093A2

WO2008031093A2 - Shallow draft floating vessel with seat and oar

Info

Publication number: WO2008031093A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/078019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roy Sanders
Original assignee: Roy Sanders
Priority date: 2006-09-08
Filing date: 2007-09-10
Publication date: 2008-03-13
Also published as: WO2008031093A3

Abstract

A catamaran-like one piece molded stable watercraft with a seat, sloping sides and a graduated sloping channel for supporting an individual and up to 600 pounds of gear without flipping and wherein the watercraft has a draft of no more than 6 inches fully loaded and less than 3 inches with 170 pounds of weight.

Description

TITLE: SHALLOW DRAFT FLOATING VESSEL WITH SEAT AND OAR

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to co-pending US Patent Application Serial No. 11/518,572 filed on September 08, 2006, US Patent Application Serial No. 11/517,679 filed on September 08, 2006 and US Application Serial No. 11/518,457. These US Patent Applications are incorporated herein.

FIELD

[0002] The present embodiments relate generally to a lightweight floating vessel for fishing and repair of mid hulls, installation of endangered water plants and other uses. The lightweight floating vessel enables a person to stand on the vessel without flipping over during poling, rowing, fishing and other activities.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Fishing boats traditionally are standard monohull designs, such as those used for bass boats, Boston Whalers ™ or standard rowboats. With a monohull designs, fishermen cannot stand up in the boat without flipping over the boat or simply falling out of the boat.

[0004] A need exists for a safer boat with a hull design in which a fisherman can stand up in during fishing, or poling without concern for tipping over that can be molded in a unitary construction that is fast to make, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0005] Metal bass boats, wooden boats and thick hulled fiberglass boats, like Boston Whalers' are heavy, and generally require at least two people to lift the boat onto a car top due to the weight. A need exists for an 11 foot to 18 foot vessel that can be lifted and used by one person without strain.

[0006] Boston Whalers and other heavy fishing boats can only be trailered because they are heavy. A need exists for a lightweight boat that can be car topped as well as stable for multiple uses, including use as a barge for transport in shall water.

[0007] Traditional fishing boats use a draft of between 6 inches and 20 inches, such as Boston Whalers. A need has existed for a fishing vessel, or similar vessel which can float over endangered plant life, such as sea grass in Florida, with a draft of only a few inches, such as 3 inches without harming the plant life, yet enabling a biologist for fish and wildlife ranger to stand up on the craft, safely without flipping over.

[0008] The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

[00010] Figure 1 depicts a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the lightweight molded watercraft.

[00011] Figure 2 depicts a port side view of an embodiment of the lightweight molded watercraft.

[00012] Figure 3 depicts a top view of the lightweight molded watercraft.

[00013] Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of the bow of the watercraft.

[00014] Figure 5 depicts a perspective view of the stern of the watercraft.

[00015] Figure 6 is a front view of the vessel bow.

[00016] Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the vessel with a seat disposed on the deck. [00017] Figure 8 a perspective view of the front of the seat.

[00018] Figure 9 a top view of the seat.

[00019] Figure 10 is cross sectional view of the front of the seat.

[00020] Figure 11 is a rear view of the seat with the lid open.

[00021] Figure 12 is a bottom view of the seat.

[00022] Figure 13 is a side view of the seat.

[00023] Figure 14 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of the oar with grip.

[00024] Figure 15 depicts a detailed view of an embodiment of an oar blade with poling foot.

[00025] Figure 16 depicts a detail of another embodiment a grip usable on the oar.

[00026] Figure 17 depicts a detail of a flounder hook usable in the invention.

[00027] Figure 18 depicts the pin and hole assembly used to connect the shaft to the oar blade.

[00028] Figure 19 depicts the oar blade shaft with a V shaped clip pin inserted within.

[00029] Figure 20 depicts the oar blade shaft with a spring pin inserted within.

[00030] The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[00031] Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular embodiments and that the invention can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[00032] The present embodiments relate to a watercraft that enables a person or two persons weighing up to a collective weight of 500 pounds to paddle or pole the vessel from a standing position for fishing, for biological study of plant life or planting of endangered species or for repair of floating structures. The watercraft has the feature of being highly stable while only requiring a draft in the water of only a few inches, less than six, and generally not more than 3 inches.

[00033] The watercraft is a one piece molded vessel preferably made of molded high density plastic. The vessel has a one piece hull, deck and sides, wherein the hull has a port hull section, and a starboard hull section connected by a mid hull section that forms a graduated water channel from bow to stern between the port and starboard hull section in the bottom of the vessel.

[00034] The graduated channel provides the vessel with increased stability in order to allow a person or persons to stand on the watercraft without tipping the vessel. The stability enables the vessel to be loaded to over 500 pound of gear without tipping over, while maintaining a draft of only a few inches.

[00035] Embodiments of the watercraft can be vessels between 10 feet to 20 feet in length. Watercrafts of the invention with lengths of 10.5 feet, 14 feet, 16 feet, and 18 feet are well adapted for commercial usage.

[00036] More specifically the vessel has a one piece molded compression hull with a port hull section having a port sloped edge, a port sloped bow, and a flat bottomed port stern. In addition a plurality of support columns extend from the bottom of the hull in the port section to the deck without penetrating the deck, forming holes in the bottom of the hull for trapping air and adding stability to the craft, and adding suction to the hull, enabling the hull to be more stable than a smooth bottomed vessel.

[00037] In addition, a starboard hull section has a starboard sloped edge, a starboard sloped bow, a flat bottomed starboard stern and a plurality of support columns extending to the deck forming holes in the bottom of the starboard hull section for trapping air.

[00038] As part of this one piece molded vessel, a mid hull section connects the port hull section to the starboard hull section keeping the two segments of the unitary hull in a spaced apart parallel relation and forming the graduated channel between the two hull section. In addition this mid hull section has a plurality of support columns extending to the deck forming holes in the bottom of the hull for the mid hull extension that serve to additionally trap air. These three segments from the bottom hull of the vessel.

[00039] The sloped edges of the hull section extend from bow to stern.

[00040] A deck is molded when the hull is molded forming a one piece craft. The deck connects to the sloped edges. The deck, and hull together form the watercraft with a water draft of less than 6 inches when loaded to 600 pounds and barely 3 inches when loaded to 170 pounds.

[00041] A stern handle is formed in the stern of the hull as a hole through the deck and through the hull. This integral stern handle enables the vessel to be lifted by the stern by a single individual. The handle is formed from the same material as the hull of the vessel and is formed at the time the entire vessel is molded. In this embodiment, there are no opening in the handle to permit air or other materials to enter the hull beneath the deck.

[00042] In an embodiment, the stern handle is designed to support 4 mounting screws or similar mounting pins that enable a trolling motor to be installed through the stern handle and secured to the vessel to provide a motorized vessel. The trolling motor can be a 2 hp trolling motor.

[00043] In a preferred embodiment, the material of the vessel is a moldable curable polymer, or polymer composite. The polymer can be homopolymer or a copolymer containing polypropylene, polyethylene, resins, or even some fiberglass.

[00044] The polymer material must be tough, strong, and lightweight. A tough hard plastic resistant to deformation in the presence of ultraviolet light, corrosive salt water, and impact adjustments such as when the user drops the vessel from a car top carrier or when the user drops something heavy, such as a 100 pound dog onto the vessel.

[00045] The material must be easy and quick to mold, low in cost, and able to have thin walls to keep the overall weight of the vessel between about 60 to about 90 pounds.

[00046] A bow handle is formed in the bow of the hull. The bow handle is integral to the hull and has a sealed construction. The bow handle is contemplated to be sturdy enough to support a rope or anchor line or dock line so that the vessel can be tethered safely for short periods if not in use without deforming the entire vessel.

[00047] At least one air release valve is contemplated to be disposed in the deck for emitting air when the watercraft becomes hot, preventing the bursting of the vessel due to air pressure. This air release valve would also be particularly useful when the vessel is taken from the altitude of Denver to the sea level altitude of Houston for releasing a building up of pressure. These pressure release valves also enable the vessel to be safely transported by cargo air carrier which may not have pressurized cargo bays.

[00048] Inside the vessel is inserted an expandable liquid foam to enhance buoyancy of the vessel and to increase strength of the vessel to prevent deformation or collapse of the vessel from selected weights being placed on the vessel.

[00049] A usable lightweight expandable foam filler is a urethane foam, such as polyurethane, polystyrene, styrene, or expandable polystyrene foam made by TAITA Chemical Co. LTD of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. [00050] The deck of the vessel is formed with a dimpled or rough texture so that cargo does not slip off the vessel when the deck is wet. The texture is not sprayed on, it is formed in the mold so that no additional weight is added to the vessel. The dimpling is formed by spraying a release agent into the mold that creates a rough surface while not adding any material to the material of the vessel.

[00051] In an embodiment, shallow channels are formed in the deck as part of the molding process enabling water to run off the deck without adding any weight to the vessel.

[00052] Various sizes of the vessel are contemplated but generally the vessel is contemplated to have has an overall length from about 8 feet to about 18 feet, an overall width from about 33 inches to about 45 inches, a hull overall a depth from about 6 inches to about 8 inches resulting in a draft of between about 1.5 inches and about 6 inches when floating, generally less than about 3 inches when loaded with 160 pounds of weight..

[00053] An embodiment of the invention can contemplate a water craft, which can be individually propelled or a barge having a length of about 11 feet, about 35 inches in width and a hull of about 6.5 inches in depth.

[00054] An embodiment of the invention can also contemplate a water craft of a length of about 12 feet, about 36 inches in width and about 6.5 inches in depth.

[00055] Still another embodiment of the invention contemplates a water craft 14 feet in length, 38 inches inn width, and 7 inches deep.

[00056] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the deck of the vessel contains a plurality of grooves into which a seat can be slid for a stable, yet removable seat on the vessel usable by a fisherman or biologist.

[00057] The vessel can be individually propelled with an oar or pole such as with an elongated, adjustable oar or an elongated adjustable dual paddle oar. The oar or pole can be secured to the vessel deck when not in use with bungee cords through the handles. [00058] With reference to the figures, Figure 1 depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of a watercraft . The watercraft is a one-piece molded construction .

[00059] As shown in Figure 1, the bottom side of an embodiment of the watercraft 8 made with a one piece molded compression hull having a vessel bow 9 and a vessel stern 10 an a graduated channel 11 extending from vessel bow to vessel stern wider in the vessel bow than in the vessel stern and shallower in the vessel bow than in the vessel stern..

[00060] The graduated channel 11 is between the port hull section 12 and the starboard hull section 14.

[00061] In this bottom view, the port and starboard hull section and the graduated channel each contain 4 support columns that extend from the bottom of the hull interior to the deck. The port hull section bottom 28 sports port support columns 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e while starboard hull section bottom 30 sports starboard support columns 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and 15e. The vessel can have at least 4 support columns and up to 10 support columns are in each hull section and between 3 and 10 support columns are in the mid hull section.

[00062] The bottom of the hull forming the channel is the mid hull section 16 and has mid hull section support columns 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e and 17f.

[00063] Integral to the bottom of the hull and penetrating to the deck, is a bow hole 20 forming the bow handle 22 and a stern hole 24 forming the stern handle 26.

[00064] The port hull section and starboard hull section each have sloped edges , the port side hull is shown in Figure 2. The sloped edges enable waves to roll down the craft, giving the craft a quieter effect on the water, having less wave noise, making the vessel less likely to scare endangered species like manatee, and to provide fishermen with the ability to not scare fish off. The sloped edges enable the vessel to have a stealth quality, it is designed to be extremely quiet with this design. [00065] The watercraft requires very little draft. For example, the watercraft can use only three inches of draft, thereby making the watercraft usable in the shallowest of bodies of water of just a few inches while supporting a 165 pound man and a 100 pound Labrador retriever.

[00066] Figure 2 depicts is a port side view of an embodiment of the watercraft also termed vessel herein. Figure 2 depicts the port sloped edges 28. The starboard sloped edges 30 are shown in Figure 3, the top view. Figure 2 also shows port bow 34 and a flat bottomed port stern 36. The sloped outside edges are integral with the deck 40. The watercraft allows a person to stand on top of the watercraft, and self propel the watercraft while the watercraft remains steady.

[00067] The one piece molded watercraft is so steady so that the person on the boat can cast a fishing line without worrying about tipping the boat or falling into the water

[00068] Figure 2 also shows grooves 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a, 50a, and 52a in the port side. In the starboard side, shown in Figure 3, the opposing matching grooves 42b, 44b, 46b, 48b, 48b, 50b and 52b and are shown in order from stern to bow.

[00069] The grooves are molded just into the sloping edges for supporting accessories that are placed removably on the deck, such as a seat. However, the grooves are not required on a vessel when no accessory is desired. To support the seat in a secure way, yet permit the seat to be removable, a groove in the port side has a companion groove in the starboard side. Each groove receives a leg of the seat. An adjacent groove on the port side of the deck can have a companion groove in the starboard side for receiving the remaining two legs of the removable seat.

[00070] In Figure 2, the registration numbers 54 can be placed on each side of the hull. A logo can also be disposed on the hull near the registration numbers.

[00071] Figure 3 shows a top view of the vessel 8. In this top view, the vessel bow 9 and the vessel stern 10. In this view it can be seen that the deck 40 extends over the integrated one piece molded hull. The deck, sides and hull are all a one piece molded craft.

[00072] Further the deck is formed to have at least one air release valve 56 disposed in the deck. A second air release valve 58 is also shown.

[00073] Figure 4 shows that the deck in an embodiment can be manufactured with skid reducing dimples 60, 62 and 64 creates a texture like a sidewalk which provide a non slip surface but does do not add any material to the craft.

[00074] The deck in an embodiment can also be made with shallow channels 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, 66e, 66f, 66g enabling water to drain off the deck so that the water does not pool up on the deck. The channel also provides additional non-skid feature for a user.

[00075] Additional grooves can be created in the deck to provide the ability to move or reposition the seat as needed by the user.

[00076] Figure 5 shows a detail of the vessel stern 10 of the craft. Stern hole 24 creates handle 26. In this detail four motor mount inserts 68, 70, 72, 74 are shown which are threaded into the deck to provide mounting position for a trolling motor (not shown).

[00077] In an embodiment, such as the one shown in Figure 5, a support bridge 76 opposite the stern handle can be molded into the stern to provide support to the motor mount and prevent deformation due to the weight or action from an attached trolling motor.

[00078] Figure 6 shows a top view of the vessel bow 9. In an embodiment of the vessel the vessel bow 9 can have a bow sloped edge 76, however it is possible to have a vessel without a bow sloped edge and still be usable within the scope of the invention. The bow handle 22 is shown as well as bow hole 20 which enable a line, such as a dock line, anchor line, or tow line to be threadable through the hole and tied to the handle for towing the vessel or securing to a dock, or anchor. [00079] A seat 78 is shown in Figure 6 which can be an insulated container for holding items, such as food, drinks, or caught fish. The seat can be made of a plastic which is light, and hollow yet strong enough to support the weight of an individual while holding a stash of caught fish. The seat can sport an oar holder 80 for holding an oar 82 for use in propelling the vessel. The seat can be filled with a foam for buoyancy.

[00080] The seat can be a molded seat for individually propelled watercraft having a deck with sloped sides extending there from and a plurality of opposing grooves of a defined shape formed in the deck and sloping sides. The seat can have a multi- component raised friction fitting non-sliding removable base expending above a deck comprising a molded foam filled insulated container. The base can have at least 4 legs to integrate into corresponding grooves formed into the deck, where the base can have a bottom integral with the at least 4 legs and 4 integral side walls rising from the bottom, and where two side walls opposing each other can have small extensions to extend over the sloping sides of a watercraft for a secure engagement with the watercraft and where at least one side wall comprises at least one rod holder. The base can also have a pivoting insulated lid secured to the base container in addition to having the ability for the legs of the base container fit snugly into the opposing grooves of substantially the same shape as the legs.

[00081] In one embodiment between 1 fishing rod holder and 4 fishing rod holders can be molded into a wall of the seat or the watercraft.

[00082] In an alternate embodiment, the seat can have a hole molded into the seat for receiving a sliding drawer.

[00083] In yet an alternate embodiment, the molded seat can have a holder molded into the base for supporting a coffee cup or a beer can.

[00084] In one embodiment, the molded seat can have a magnetic latch disposed in the container of the base. [00085] In one embodiment, the molded seat can have at least one depression in the container to hold a battery inside the container and a groove for allowing the battery cable to exit the container disposed in one wall of the seat.

[00086] In an alternate embodiment, the molded seat can have a drain plug to drain water from the container.

[00087] In yet another embodiment, a handle can be disposed on opposing side walls for transporting the seat.

[00088] Figure 7 shows a cutaway view of the vessel, containing filler 84 which can be a foam, closed cell material. The vessel is firm crafted from a molded plastic then liquid expandable foam is inserted into the craft, such as through the air release valves and then allowed to expand forming a virtually unsinkable craft.

[00089] Figure 8 shows seat 78 that an be an insulated container for fish, food, drinks, bait, or perishable materials. The seat can also hold items that the user would prefer not to get wet, such as cell phones, lap tops, GPS or similar devices.

[00090] The seat can be made of a plastic which is light, and hollow yet strong enough to support the weight of an individual while holding a stash of caught fish.

[00091] Figure 8 further shows the molded seat 78 detachably secured to an individually propelled watercraft having a deck with sloped sides extending there from and a plurality of grooves shown on the port side as 42a- 52a and the starboard side as 42b- 52b. The seat is contained in at least two pairs of opposing grooves, that is, in 4 individual grooves but preferably the seat sits in three pairs of opposing grooves, that is, in 6 individual grooves. This enables the seat's location to be moved and relocated between these grooves. Figure 8 shows the seat located in 3 grooves in the port side of the craft, namely grooves 42a, 44a, and 46a because grooves 48a, 50a and 52a are revealed.

[00092] Complimentary opposing grooves are in the starboard side are opposite the port grooves. Both sets of grooves have a defined shape that fit the 6 legs of the seat shown in this figure. The legs are scalloped in shape in this embodiment given the circular shape of the grooves.

[00093] The seat has a base 79 that is a bottom and 4 integral side walls rising from the bottom. Figure 9 shows the four side walls 90, 92, 94 and 96. The side wall 90 integral with the bottom is adapted to hold at least 3 fishing rods in cylindrical forms 98, 100, 102 integral with the side wall 90. Figure 9 also shows a depression 142 in the container to hold a battery inside the container. Figure 11 shows a groove 145 in a side wall for allowing a battery cable connected to the battery to exit the container disposed in at least one wall of the seat .

[00094] Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the seat, having a opening 114 for containing a sliding drawer 115. The sliding drawer 115 is formed of the same material as the seat, and formed in the container having a sliding engagement into the seat for holding small items. A molded holder 117 adjacent the opening can also be formed when the seat is molded as another option on the seat.

[00095] Figure 11 also shows a pivoting insulated lid 118 that secures to the container using a metal pin 119. When the lid is closed, the insulated seat is formed. An optional magnetic latch 120 disposed on the interior of the seat, as shown in Figure 9. Latch 120 can be used for closing the lid and preventing the lid from flying upward and off the vessel. Figure 11 shows a drain plug 144 in side 90 for allowing water contained in the container to exist the seat when ice melts. Additionally a strap 146 can be used secured to the lid 118 and to the base 79 to keep the lid from flopping around. Optional oar holder clips 148 that looks like a cradle with a strap, can be mounted to the seat to hold an oar or flounder gig for an individual to use while using the seat and the watercraft.

[00096] The legs of the container fit snugly into the opposing grooves of the defined shape which are identical to the shape of the legs. Two opposing walls, 92 and 96 of the seat have small extensions 122 and 124, shown in Figure 10,. The small extension extend over and engage the sloped sides of a watercraft providing a secure yet removable attachment of the seat to the watercraft.

[00097] Figure 12 depicts a bottom view of the seat. The seat has legs 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, and 136. Each leg is shown having a scallop shape for engaging the circular grooves of the vessel's sloping sides. Each leg can be solid or hollow, be foam filled to provide buoyancy to the seat. This bottom view shows the two drawer guides 138, 140 that can be used in an embodiment of the invention for facilitating pulling in and pulling out of the sliding drawer 115.

[00098] Returning to Figure 10 there is also depicted a handle 150 which is one of a pair of handles mounted on the outside of two opposing walls. The two handles can be used to lift the seat. The handles can be rubber handles or other strong handle.

[00099] The embodied watercraft can have one or more floundering lights secured to the body and powered by an energy source, such as a fuel cell. A floundering gig can be secured to one or more of the floundering lights.

[000100] The graduated channel is about 2 inches deep at the stern and tapers to the bow for a 14 foot craft.

[000101] The graduated channel is about 1.5 inches deep at the stern and tapers to the bow for an 11 foot craft.

[000102] For longer watercrafts, the channel can be slightly deeper at the stern and taper to the bow. The channel graduated channel compresses water into a more confined space. By compressing the water, the compressed water in the hull acts as a rudder to provide directional stability. The compressed water travels at a different speed from the water on the outside of the hull enabling the hull to move in a straight line without needing a rudder. The directional stability allows the embodied watercraft to be poled or oared in a straight line, in contrast to other watercrafts of a catamaran style that veer off a course by at least 10 degrees. The directional stability is accomplished in the embodied watercraft by hull design. [000103] The bow can provide a slope from deck into the water that is nearly a 20 degree angle and can extend for at least 3 -foot in smaller watercrafts of about 11 feet. In various embodiment the sloping bow from deck to hull bottom can be between about 20% and about 35% of the overall length of the craft. For example, a 14 foot craft the bow can slope for 4 feet and for an 11 foot craft, the bow can slope 3 feet.

[000104] In an embodiment the deck slopes from the vessel bow to the widest portion of the vessel hull at an angle of about 25 degrees.

[000105] The slope of the sloped edge from the deck to the sides of the hull is about 45 degrees.

[000106] The present embodiments also relate to an oar or pair of oars that can be used to row a shallow draft watercraft.

[000107] The embodiments of the invention provide an oar that enables a user of a non- motorized craft to row or pole across a channel, then quickly replace the oar blade with a flounder hook for a tool usable to catch fish.

[000108] An embodiment of the invention is a dual purpose tool for transport, that is, rowing and poling and then for fishing, that is jabbing fish with a flounder hook to get them in a boat.

[000109] The oar is made of a high density polymer, such as high density polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride so that it is lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture, and resistant to degradation in the presence of ultraviolet light, corrosive salt water, and resistant to brittleness having a tensile strength that permits from about 50 psi to about 250 psi to impact the oar without deforming the oar.

[000110] The oar can be quickly broken down and reassembled in only 1-2 minutes, instead of more complicated device due to the described pin and spring fastening methods, which is faster than known threading fasteners by at least 30%. It is contemplated that 2 pin and hole fastening combinations can be used on each end of the oar for a very secure assembly. [000111] The invention is contemplated in an embodiment as a 3 part assembly, but it could also be a 2 part construction only having the replaceable oar blade as the second component.

[000112] Referring to Figure 14, an oar is shown in an exploded manner, having three parts. A shaft 1000 is shown having an oar blade end 1200 with at least a first hole 1400 and a grip end 1600 with at least a second hole 1800. It is contemplated that more than one hole can be in each end of the shaft and still provide a fast assembly, quick disassembly oar.

[000113] A grip 200 can be removeably attached to the grip end 1600 using a depressible grip pin 220 that slidingly engages the second hole 1800. The pin is driven by a spring action pushing up from inside the shaft of the grip end. The user depresses the pin, slides the grip into the shaft, then twists the grip so the pin pops into the hole forming a secure locking fit between the grip end and the shaft. The pin can be made of stainless steel to resist rust or some other metal. The pin can be on the end of an essentially V-shaped metal spring located inside the shaft of the grip wherein the V shape of the metal spring continuously pushes the pin outward except when the pin is depressed by the user. Other types of springs such as conventional springs behind a pin could also be used, wherein the spring can be directly beneath the pin in the shaft of the grip. Figure 18 shows a detail of the pin and hole interlock.

[000114] An oar blade 240 can be removeably attached to the oar blade end 1200 using an oar blade pin 280. The oar blade pin 280 can be partially contained in an oar blade shaft 260 of the oar blade 240. The oar blade pin 280 engages the shaft in the same manner as the grip pin engages the shaft. The oar blade pin 280 removably secures the oar blade shaft to the shaft by interlocking the oar blade pin with the first hole.

[000115] The oar blade is one piece molded structure. The oar blade one piece structure has three parts, an oar blade shaft 260, which can be hollow containing the spring portion of the depressible oar blade pin, the blade 300 and a poling foot 320. All three components can be connected together in a linear fashion in an embodiment. All three components can be non-removably connected together in an embodiment.

[000116] The poling foot 320 in an embodiment can be in the form of a hollow pyramid type structure having only two solid sides and two open sides. The pyramid shape can be a 2 sided pyramid, a 3 sided pyramid, or a 4 sided pyramid.

[000117] Figure 15 depicts a detail of the poling foot having a flat side 340 which is flat for poling against a lake bottom or shallow depth ocean area. The wall thickness of the poling foot can range from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in thickness.

[000118] The shaft can be fiberglass or a graphite composite shaft. The shaft can have customized lengths ranging from 6 feet to 14 feet, but can range up to 21 or 24 feet and can be shorter such as 3 feet for children's use.

[000119] The flat side integrally engages to two sides opposite each other a first side 380 and a second side 400. The sides merge together to engage the blade 300 on the side opposite where the sides 380 and 400 engage the flat side. The flat side can be 3 inches long and 2 inches wide

[000120] The triangular poling foot is integral with the blade. Preferably it is a one piece molded structure from a lightweight plastic polymer like nylon or another polyamide. The polyamide can be homopolymer or copolymer resistant to ultraviolet degradation, saline degradation or impact degradation and deformation..

[000121] Other shapes are also contemplated for use as the poling foot. The shapes can be funnel shapes , that is a funnel where the neck portion engages the blade and the mouth portion forms the foot of the poling device. The poling device could be a horizontally oriented cylinder with a flat segment, a rectangular shape that is only 25% the length of the blade, or another polygon shape wherein a flat surface is presented on the end of the poling foot.

[000122] The pins used in the invention can be spring clips, that can be folded flat pieces of metal with a general U or V shape folded inside the shaft so that the V or U shaped metal pushes outward. The pin can be a metal or rubber tip or bump on an outermost potion of the clip for engaging the holes. Alternative the pin can be depressible plunger type pin with a spring directly below a plate of metal with the rubber bump or steel bump projecting upward from the oar blade shaft to engage the hole of the shaft.

[000123] The grip of the invention in an embodiment can have a cylindrical shape that has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the shaft as shown in Figure 14. For example, the shaft might be 2 inches in diameter or a similar size to a conventional oar, but the cylindrical grip might only be 1 inch in diameter. It is possible the diameter could be even less if the oar was made for use by children with small hands.

[000124] Figure 16 shows the grip 200 with a grip shaft 230 as a T shaped grip with a shaft, which can be used in still another embodiment of the invention. This grip would also use a depressible pin 210, such as a depressible clip pin, wherein the metal spring portion can be a f folded flat piece of metal with a U shape, and can be contained with the shaft 23 of the T shaped grip and the depressible pin 21 projects depressably from the shaft pushing the rubber or metal tip of the pin through the hole.

[000125] The grip could also have a soft cushy coating of a closed cell foam could be disposed on the grip to provided a cushioned support for the user's hands while gripping the oar. A different type of coating could be used to provide a rubberized gripping surface to prevent sliding while poling or rowing. A plastic coating could be placed on the grip to prevent wear to the grip surface of the grip.

[000126] In yet another embodiment of the invention, an interchangeable oar and flounder blade assembly are contemplated. This assembly would have a shaft having a first end and a first hole in the first end, and a grip end and a second hole in the grip end. The assembly would include a grip having a grip in removeably securable to the shaft. Finally it would include at least two interchangeable end parts, a first interchangeable end part that is the removable oar blade already described, and the second interchangeable end part being a poling flounder gig comprising a shaft and between 1 and 3 prongs positioned on the end of the shaft.

[000127] Figure 17 shows a detail of a flounder gig usable in the invention with a shaft 500 and a first prong 520 connected on the end of the shaft, a second prong 540 connected on the end of the shaft, and a third prong 550 connected on the end of the shaft in a W shape configuration with pointed ends for each of the prongs opposite where the prongs engage the shaft. A depressible flounder gig pin can 510 be disposed on the end of the shaft.

[000128] The interchangeable oar and flounder assembly can be made of molded lightweight polymer, wherein the flounder gig can have from 1 to 3 prongs connected to the flounder shaft. The prongs can all be equidistantly spaced apart and be of different heights. The prongs can be solid plastic and the shaft be hollow. At the end of each prong barbs may be positioned to grip onto the fish. The flounder gig is a one piece plastic high strength gig for easy assembly.

[000129] Figure 18 shows a detail of an oar blade pin 280 popping from the oar blade shaft for engagement with the shaft 1000 via the hole 1400. This arrangement on the oar blade shaft can occur on the depressible grip pin or the depressible flounder gig pin as well.

[000130] Figure 19 shows the oar blade shaft 260 with a V shaped clip pin 580 inserted within. The V shaped clip pin pushes the depressible oar blade pin 280 to the surface of the oar blade shaft. This arrangement on the oar blade shaft can occur on the depressible grip pin or the depressible flounder gig pin as well.

[000131] Figure 20 shows the oar blade shaft 260 with a spring pin 600 inserted within. The V shaped clip pin pushes the depressible oar blade pin 280 to the surface of the oar blade shaft. This arrangement on the oar blade shaft can occur on the depressible grip pin or the depressible flounder gig pin as well. The embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments, thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the embodiments, especially to those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is Claimed is:

1. An one piece molded vessel comprising:

a. A one piece molded compression hull having a vessel bow and vessel stern and a graduated channel shallower in the vessel bow than in the vessel stern comprising:

a deck integral with a hull, wherein the hull comprises:

a port hull section comprising a port hull bottom integrally connected to a port sloped outside edge, forming a port sloped bow and a flat bottomed port stern and wherein the port hull bottom further comprises a plurality of port support columns extending from the port hull bottom to the deck and the columns form holes in the port hull bottom;

a starboard hull comprising a starboard hull bottom integrally connected to a starboard sloped outside edge forming a starboard sloped bow and a flat bottomed starboard stern, and wherein the starboard hull bottom further comprises a plurality of starboard support columns extending from the starboard hull bottom to the deck and the columns form holes in the starboard hull bottom;

a mid hull section between the port hull section and the starboard hull section maintaining the port and starboard hull sections in a spaced apart parallel relation and wherein the mid hull section has a mid hull section sloping bottom side forming a graduated channel, and wherein the mid hull section further comprises a plurality of mid hull section support columns extending from the mid hull section sloping bottom to the deck and the columns form holes in the mid hull section sloping bottom; a stern handle integral with the hull and the deck and formed in the vessel stern;

a bow handle integral with the hull and the deck and formed in the vessel bow;

at least one air release valve for emergency release of air from the interior of the hull disposed in the deck; and

a filler disposed between the one piece hull and the deck forming a one piece vessel.

2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the deck further comprises skid reducing dimples.

3. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the deck further comprises shallow channels enabling water to run off of the deck.

4. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the vessel has an overall length from 8 to 18 feet, an overall width from 33 to 45 inches, and overall hull thickness from 6 to 8 inches resulting in a draft of less than 6 inches.

5. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the filler is a liquid expanding two part urethane foam.

6. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the deck further comprises a plurality of opposing grooves for receiving and supporting a removable seat.

7. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the vessel is individually propelled.

8. The vessel of claim 1, wherein at least 4 support columns and up to 10 support columns are in each hull section and from 3 to 10 support columns are in the mid hull section.

9. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the one piece vessel has a draft from 3 to 6 inches when fully loaded.

10. The vessel of claim 1, further comprising motor mounts disposed in the deck, and wherein the motor mounts are adapted to support a trolling motor placed through the stern hole.

11. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the vessel is propelled using an ore comprising:

a shaft having an oar blade end with a first hole, and a grip end with a second hole;

a grip having a grip shaft with a depressible grip pin for sliding inside a grip end and wherein the depressible grip pin removably engages the second hole; and

an oar blade removeably securable to a oar blade shaft, wherein the oar blade comprises:

an oar blade shaft with a depressible oar blade pin for sliding inside an oar blade end, and wherein the depressible oar blade pin removeably engages the first hole;

an oar blade integral with the oar blade shaft; and

a poling foot with a flat side, wherein the poling foot is integral with the oar blade.

12. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the pooling foot comprises a hollow at least two sided pyramid-type shape having a flat side integral with a first side opposite a second side, wherein each side engages the blade and the flat side is adapted for engaging a bed of a body.

13. A molded seat for individually propelled watercraft having a deck with sloped sides extending there from and a plurality of opposing grooves of a defined shape formed in the deck and sloping sides, wherein the seat comprises:

a multi-component raised friction fitting non -sliding removable base expending above a deck comprising a molded foam filled insulated container having at least 4 legs to integrate into corresponding grooves formed into the deck , wherein the base has a bottom integral with the at least 4 legs and 4 integral side walls rising from the bottom, and wherein two side walls opposing each other further comprise small extensions to extend over the sloping sides of a watercraft for a secure engagement with the watercraft and wherein at least one side wall comprises at least one rod holder;

a pivoting insulated lid secured to the base container; and

wherein the legs of the base container fit snugly into the opposing grooves of substantially the same shape as the legs.

14. The molded seat of claim 13, wherein from 1 fishing rod holder to 4 fishing rod holders are molded into a wall of the seat.

15. The molded seat of claim 13, wherein the seat further comprises a hole molded into the seat for receiving a sliding drawer.

16. The molded seat of claim 13, further comprising a holder molded into the base for supporting a cup, can, or bottle.

17. The molded seat of claim 13, further comprising a magnetic latch disposed in the container of the base.

18. The molded seat of claim 13, at least one depression in the container to hold a battery inside the container and a groove for allowing the battery cable to exit the container disposed in at least one wall of the seat.

19. The molded seat of claim 13, further comprising a drain plug to drain water from the container.

20. The molded seat of claim 13 further comprising a handle disposed on opposing side walls for transporting the seat.