Patent attributes
A round boat has a one-piece, open-topped hull having a substantially flat bottom and outwardly concave but substantially vertical sides surmounted by flared gunnels. The concave sides mate with the inner walls of a toroidal-shaped flotation device, such as an inflated bladder, or tube, which fills the concavity and supports the hull. The tube and the hull are substantially coplanar such that cargo and passengers are supported within the toroidal opening of the tube. The tube and hull may be provided with a covering, or sheath, to help protect the tube from unnecessary wear or damage, and to provide means for replaceable decoration or identification. At least one seat is mounted to and projects radially inward from the gunnels to center the weight of a passenger above the hull, thereby increasing stability of the boat with the added weight of each additional passenger. The seat may include a swivel for convenience of movement. Also mounted to the gunnels and projecting radially outward over the tube, motor mount means supports a lateral transom for mounting an outboard motor to serve as both propulsion and steering. A tray projecting inward from the motor mount means includes cavities for small articles such as fishing lures, drinks or navigation equipment. A battery compartment mounted on the hull floor provides propulsion energy. A two-person boat as described is light weight and can be lifted by one person and rolled on its side for loading and unloading. The tube may be deflated for storage.
