Service and survival dinghy

Abstract

A dual-function service and survival dinghy ( 10 ) for use, e.g., with a sailboat or powerboat, has flotation capacity comparable to a life raft, and it is designed and constructed to be lightweight, rigid, durable, and easily towed and rowed.

1 . A service and survival dinghy comprises a double hull formed of impact resistant polymeric material and defining a bottom compartment containing closed-cell foam for permanent flotation capability and sidewall compartments accessible for storage.  
   
   
       2 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 1 , wherein the double hull is formed of rotation-molded polyethylene or other suitable plastic.  
   
   
       3 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 1 , further comprising a sailing rig comprising a mast and a sail.  
   
   
       4 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 3 , wherein the mast and sail are stored between uses within said sidewall compartments.  
   
   
       5 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 1 , comprising a center seat mounted to be flipped from a center position to a position toward the bow, thereby to allow a rower more legroom.  
   
   
       6 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 1 , further comprising beckets mounted to gunwale surfaces.  
   
   
       7 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable exposure canopy.  
   
   
       8 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 7 , wherein said exposure canopy is stored between use within said sidewall compartments.  
   
   
       9 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 7 , wherein said exposure canopy comprises multiple separate panels.  
   
   
       10 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 1 , further comprising a transom plate mounted in a recessed space in the stern for mounting an outboard motor.  
   
   
       11 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 1 , wherein the dinghy is self-draining when empty, with a removable plug.  
   
   
       12 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 1 , further comprising a multi-use cylinder secured along a gunwale of said dinghy and comprising a cover within which there is disposed a deployable web ladder for boarding the dinghy.  
   
   
       13 . The service and survival dinghy of  claim 8 , wherein said exposure canopy comprises multiple separate panels.