Boat

Abstract

A cockpit ( 2 ) at the stern of a boat may be covered in two stages. Firstly, a first canopy system ( 3 ) of the bimini type is deployed. Then a second canopy system ( 4 ) is deployed and has a frame member ( 411 ) which can be pivoted rearwardly over the deployed first canopy system ( 3 ) so as to allow the second canopy system to be deployed after the first canopy system. A canopy ( 42 ) of the second canopy system covers a portion of the cockpit deck behind the portion covered by the bimini canopy ( 32 ).

1 . A boat comprising: 
 a hull having a deck area;    a superstructure above the deck area;    a first canopy system mounted on the superstructure and comprising a first frame pivotable rearwardly from a stowed position to a deployed position and a first canopy supportable by the first frame when the first frame is in its deployed position so that the first canopy covers a forward portion of the deck area; and    a second canopy system mounted on the superstructure and comprising a second frame pivotable rearwardly from a stowed position and arranged to pass externally over the deployed first frame to a deployed position and a second canopy supportable by the second frame when the second frame is in its deployed position so that the second canopy covers a rearward portion of the deck area.    
   
   
       2 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis of the second frame is lower than the pivot axis of the first frame.  
   
   
       3 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis of the second frame is rearward of the pivot axis of the first frame.  
   
   
       4 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the first frame comprises a first arch-like member having first legs at the bottom of which are first pivots, the second frame comprises a second arch-like member having second legs at the bottom of which are second pivots, and the second pivots are outboard of the first pivots.  
   
   
       5 . A boat according to  claim 4 , wherein the second legs are longer than the first legs.  
   
   
       6 . A boat according to  claim 4 , wherein the first frame further comprises a third arch-like member having third legs pivotably connected at their bases to middle portions of the first legs, the third legs are shorter than the first legs, and the first and third arch-like members are linked by a separation-limiting device so that as the first frame deploys the extent of forward pivoting of the third arch-like member relative to the rearwardly-pivoting first arch-like member is limited.  
   
   
       7 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frames when both deployed are linked by a separation-limiting device so that the deployed position of the second frame is set relative to the deployed position of the first frame.  
   
   
       8 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the first frame nests inside the second frame when both frames are in their stowed positions.  
   
   
       9 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the canopy systems are mounted at the rear of an arch-like portion of the superstructure.  
   
   
       10 . A boat according to  claim 9 , wherein the arch-like portion of the superstructure is a freestanding arch.  
   
   
       11 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the superstructure has a forwardly-sloping rear surface against which the first and second frames rest when in their stowed positions.  
   
   
       12 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the first canopy is detachably securable to the second canopy along the junction therebetween.  
   
   
       13 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the first canopy is fixed to the first frame.  
   
   
       14 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the second canopy is detachably securable to the second frame in the deployed position of the second frame.  
   
   
       15 . A boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the second canopy has a roof portion and side curtain portions.  
   
   
       16 . A boat according to  claim 15 , wherein in the deployed position of the second frame with the roof portion of the second canopy supported on the second frame the side curtain portions extend down to and are detachably securable to a wall structure at the perimeter of the deck area.  
   
   
       17 . A boat according to  claim 15 , wherein the side curtain portions of the second canopy extend forwards underneath the side edges of the first canopy.  
   
   
       18 . A boat according to  claim 17 , wherein the tops of the side curtain portions are detachably securable to the first canopy.  
   
   
       19 . A boat according to  claim 17 , wherein the side curtain portions extend forwards at least 50%, 80% or 90% of the distance to the front edge of the first canopy.  
   
   
       20 . A method of operating a boat including a hull having a deck area; a superstructure above the deck area; a first canopy system mounted on the superstructure and comprising a first frame pivotable rearwardly from a stowed position to a deployed position and a first canopy supportable by the first frame when the first frame is in its deployed position so that the first canopy covers a forward portion of the deck area; and a second canopy system mounted on the superstructure and comprising a second frame pivotable rearwardly from a stowed position and arranged to pass externally over the deployed first frame to a deployed position and a second canopy supportable by the second frame when the second frame is in its deployed position so that the second canopy covers a rearward portion of the deck area, the method comprising deploying the first frame with the first canopy fixed thereto, deploying the second frame, and fitting the second canopy onto the second frame.  
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A boat according to  claim 2 , wherein the pivot axis of the second frame is rearward of the pivot axis of the first frame.  
   
   
       24 . A boat according to  claim 5 , wherein the first frame further comprises a third arch-like member having third legs pivotably connected at their bases to middle portions of the first legs, the third legs are shorter than the first legs, and the first and third arch-like members are linked by a separation-limiting device so that as the first frame deploys the extent of forward pivoting of the third arch-like member relative to the rearwardly-pivoting first arch-like member is limited.  
   
   
       25 . A boat according to  claim 16 , wherein the side curtain portions of the second canopy extend forwards underneath the side edges of the first canopy.  
   
   
       26 . A boat according to  claim 25 , wherein the side curtain portions extend forwards at least 50%, 80% or 90% of the distance to the front edge of the first canopy.  
   
   
       27 . A boat according to  claim 18 , wherein the side curtain portions extend forwards at least 50%, 80% or 90% of the distance to the front edge of the first canopy.