Convertible inflatable kayak

Abstract

An inflatable kayak capable of conversion, from a kayak configuration to a backpack configuration utilizing existing kayak components to form the backpack for transport and storage of the kayak.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable boat, comprising:
 an inflatable hull; and   wherein said inflatable boat may be converted between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein said first configuration is usable as a boat and said second configuration is usable for transport or storage of the boat.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable boat of  claim 1 , wherein said reconfiguration between a boat configuration and a transport configuration utilizes components from the boat configuration to define a compartment for the transport configuration. 
     
     
         3 . An inflatable boat, comprising:
 an inflatable hull;   a removable seat, wherein said seat converts to at least a portion of a transport container for the boat.   
     
     
         4 . The inflatable boat of  claim 3 , further comprising a sit-in cockpit. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable boat of  claim 3 , further comprising a removable cover releasably connected to the cockpit, wherein said cover converts to at least a portion of a transport container for the boat. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable boat of  claim 5  wherein the seat defines the main portion of the transport container and the cockpit cover is the container cover, each of the seat and cockpit cover being attachable to each other in the transport configuration defining a compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable boat of  claim 6 , wherein the seat and cockpit cover are attachable to each in the transport configuration by at least one zipper. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable boat of  claim 6 , wherein the hull fits within the compartment formed by the seat and the cockpit cover when in the transport configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable boat of  claim 6  wherein the transport container is a backpack. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable boat of  claim 9 , further comprising carry straps for the backpack. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable boat of  claim 2  or  6 , wherein said boat is a kayak. 
     
     
         12 . A method of storing an inflatable boat, comprising the steps of:
 removing the seat of the boat;   removing the cockpit cover of the boat;   deflating the inflatable hull of the boat;   folding the deflated hull onto itself;   converting the seat into a compartment and placing the folded hull within the compartment; and   securing the cockpit cover to the compartment over the folded hull.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of connecting straps to the compartment to enable a user to carry the compartment containing the hull.