The present disclosure provides an inflatable kayak. The inflatable kayak includes an inflatable floor having two ends defined upward; two inflatable gunwales arranged on the left and right sides of the inflatable floor, the height of the upper edge at both ends of the inflatable gunwale being higher than the height at the middle of the inflatable gunwale, allowing the height of the prow and the stern of the inflatable kayak to be no less than the height at the middle of the inflatable kayak; and a reinforcing assembly including a bottom reinforcing layer, a prow hatchway cover, and a stern hatchway cover, the bottom reinforcing layer at least covering the joints of the inflatable floor and the two inflatable gunwales. The prow hatchway cover connects the two inflatable gunwales at the prow, and the stern hatchway cover connects the two inflatable gunwales at the stern.

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.

A device for collapsibly supporting a cover, comprising a mount and one or more resilient and substantially radial spars arranged to pivot relative to the mount, wherein a first end of the or each spar is associated with the mount and a second opposite end is configured to secure to an outer end of the cover, wherein in use, the device is movable from a collapsed state for stowage of the cover, to an open state, wherein: (a) the or each spar extends outwardly from the mount to spread the cover; and (b) tension is applied to an outer region of the cover, thereby drawing the second end of the or each spar downwardly such that the or each spar deflects and urges the cover upwardly and away from a plane defined by the perimeter of the opened cover.

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.

A collapsible transom for an inflatable raft has a front section including two parallel front struts and a rear section including a floor portion and a collapsible support portion. The floor portion includes two parallel rear struts, and the two parallel front struts and two parallel rear struts are slidably connectable to each other by insertion into tubular end portions. The support portion is pivotally connected to the floor portion and movable between an expanded position with the support portion substantially parallel to and spaced away from the floor to a collapsed position with the support portion adjacent the floor.

A stand-alone modular removable rudder system for watercraft having a rudder comprising a steering handle coupled to a quick release mechanism adapted to releasably secure said steering handle to said watercraft in proximity to the operator, said system further comprising, a rudder mount adapted to be coupled to the rear of the watercraft by a quick release mechanism adapted to releasably secure said rudder mount to said watercraft, said rudder being carried by a rudder support pivotal about said rudder mount and cables operatively connecting said steering handle to said rudder mount whereby the steering handle can be operated to steer the rudder.

The present invention provides inflatable watercraft that arc light weight, easily stowed in relatively small spaces and formed from inflatable drop stitch panels. A preferred watercraft is a boat having a bow. stem, keel and an open transom for self-bailing. A deck can be provided as a separate panel that is cither permanently, or detachably, connected to freeboard sides of the watercraft. When connected, the deck provides a sitting area, and enhances the strength and rigidity of the watercraft by functioning like a deck beam. Optional features include a bucket held in place by, and fitted through, a hole in the deck panel. Preferred inflation pressures are between 2 and 25 p.s.i.. and more preferably between 12 and 18 p.s.i.

An inflatable foilboard or hydrofoil board comprises an inflatable board having a rigid platform on which a user stands. A mast extends from the platform through the board and into the water below. A hydrofoil is fixed to the base of the mast.

An inflatable motor boat with a U-shaped hull in plan view and configured to operate in shallow water. An inflatable bottom is attached to the hull and comprises an inclined longitudinal tunnel having an arc-shaped form in cross section. A portion of the tunnel is wedge-shaped with an angle of inclination from 5° to 45°. The width of the tunnel can be reduced in a rearward direction, and an upper surface of the tunnel can have a sinusoidal shape in a longitudinal section.

The present invention provides inflatable watercraft that are light weight, easily stowed in relatively small spaces and formed from inflatable drop stitch panels. A preferred watercraft is a boat having a bow, stern, keel and an open transom for self-bailing. A deck can be provided as a separate panel that is either permanently, or detachably, connected to freeboard sides of the watercraft. When connected, the deck provides a sitting area, and enhances the strength and rigidity of the watercraft by functioning like a deck beam. Optional features include a bucket held in place by, and fitted through, a hole in the deck panel. Preferred inflation pressures are between 2 and 25 p.s.i., and more preferably between 12 and 18 p.s.i.