The device includes a sling with four flexible support strands, including a pair of rear strands, each of which is attached by a bottom end to one of two lifting points provided in the lateral end portions of the transom stern, and a top end of which is linked to at least one attachment member, for engaging with a hook suspended beneath a helicopter, and two strands, each forming a loop capable of passing around the outer lower contours of the two lateral floats and beneath the keel of the boat, and of which each of the two ends is attached to the attachment member, one of the two looped strands, referred to as the middle strand, surrounding the boat at the central portion of the latter, and the other looped strand, referred to as the front strand, surrounding the boat at the bow of the boat.

A boat is fitted with retractable wheels which can pivot between an extended land position and a retracted water position. A slot is formed in the hull of the boat. A housing sealing engages about the slot to prevent water entering the boat through the slot. The housing supports a pivot. An arm member is connected to the pivot and a wheel is connected to the arm member. The arm member can pivot through the slot between the wheel retracted and wheel extended positions.

An apparatus and methods according to the present invention provides a human powered catamaran-styled watercraft and methods of configuring and operating the watercraft. The watercraft generally comprises at least one hull in communication with a folding collapsible frame, wherein in the frame comprises a center rack pivotally joining hulls of hull sets to provide for common pivoting of the hulls during articulation of the watercraft, thereby the hulls and frame are in further communication through a at least one pivot pad which provides for slidable pivoting of the hulls during articulation of the watercraft. A method of folding and reversibly extending the watercraft to provide for optimized storage is provided. A method of operation of the watercraft to provide for articulation of the watercraft is provided.

Various examples of transferring a watercraft between land and water are disclosed. When a vehicle receives a transfer signal, the vehicle locates a launch ramp, and the vehicle moves to the launch ramp. A trailer attached to the vehicle moved into the water using the launch ramp, such that a watercraft can be transferred between land and water via the trailer.

Various examples of transferring a watercraft between land and water are disclosed. When a vehicle receives a transfer signal, the vehicle locates a launch ramp, and the vehicle moves to the launch ramp. A trailer attached to the vehicle moved into the water using the launch ramp, such that a watercraft can be transferred between land and water via the trailer.

The invention concerns a boat (10) comprising a hull (11) that is suitable for being towed on a solid surface and comprises a hitching device (30) comprising a straight drawbar (39) and a hitching mechanism (31), characterised in that the hitching device is movable in translation along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hull (11) between a stowed position in which the hitching device is more retracted into the hull and a deployed position in which the hitching device extends further out of the hull than when in the stowed position.

The invention concerns a boat (10) comprising a hull (11) that is suitable for being towed on a solid surface and comprises a hitching device (30) comprising a straight drawbar (39) and a hitching mechanism (31), characterised in that the hitching device is movable in translation along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hull (11) between a stowed position in which the hitching device is more retracted into the hull and a deployed position in which the hitching device extends further out of the hull than when in the stowed position.

A system of brackets and rails for attaching wheels, towing devices, and other accessories to small pontoon watercraft in various locations and combinations to increase the transportability and utility of the watercraft. Among the advantages are the ability to tow the watercraft by hand or bicycle, and to allow other devices such as a human powered pedal drive, trolling motor, bike rack, cargo rack, and other accessories to be attached easily and without the use of tools.

A system of brackets and rails for attaching wheels, towing devices, and other accessories to small pontoon watercraft in various locations and combinations to increase the transportability and utility of the watercraft. Among the advantages are the ability to tow the watercraft by hand or bicycle, and to allow other devices such as a human powered pedal drive, trolling motor, bike rack, cargo rack, and other accessories to be attached easily and without the use of tools.

A water mat for a boat and a boat. The boat may be a pontoon boat. The water mat may include a cut-out. The cut-out may be formed in a forward side of the water mat, with the forward side of the water mat is connected to the stern of the boat such that the outboard motor is positioned in the cut-out of the water mat. A flexible connecting sheet, that is configured to connect the water mat with the boat, may be attached to a connection side of the water mat and extend along the connection side of the water mat.