Watercraft with reconfigurable panels and methods of use

Abstract

A watercraft comprising a deck and a wall, the wall comprising a first reconfigurable panel, is provided. The deck has a front end, a back end, and a perimeter. The wall extends proximate a portion of the perimeter, thereby defining a use portion of the deck. The first reconfigurable panel is movable between a fixed first position and a fixed second position. When the first reconfigurable panel is in the second position, an area of the use portion of the deck is open. The area may be a front area of the deck, a rear area of the deck, or a side area of the deck

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A watercraft comprising:
 a deck, the deck having a front end, a back end, and a perimeter; and   a wall extending proximate a portion of the perimeter and defining a use portion of the deck, the wall comprising a first reconfigurable panel;   wherein the first reconfigurable panel has a first end and a second end and is movable between a fixed first position and a fixed second position; and   wherein, when the first reconfigurable panel is in the second position, an area of the use portion of the deck is open.   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the first position is a closed position and the second position is an open position. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the reconfigurable panel is pivotable along the first end. 
     
     
         4 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is coupled to a stationary panel. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is coupled to an end of the stationary panel and, in the second position, the second end is fixed to the stationary panel. 
     
     
         7 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the wall further comprises a second reconfigurable panel, wherein the second reconfigurable panel has a first end and a second end and is movable between a fixed first position and a fixed second position. 
     
     
         8 . The watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein the first reconfigurable panel runs parallel to the back end of the watercraft and the second reconfigurable panel runs parallel to a side of the watercraft. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein the wall further comprises a stationary panel, and wherein, in the second position, the first reconfigurable panel folds against the second reconfigurable panel and the second reconfigurable panel folds against the stationary panel. 
     
     
         10 . The watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein the first reconfigurable panel and the second reconfigurable panel are detachably coupled. 
     
     
         11 . The watercraft of  claim 9 , wherein the first reconfigurable panel is coupled to a compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein the wall further comprises a stationary side panel, wherein the first reconfigurable panel folds against the compartment in the second position and the second reconfigurable panel folds against the stationary side panel in the second position. 
     
     
         13 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein the compartment is a fishing compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the area is a rear area of the deck. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , further comprising a bar in the rear area. 
     
     
         16 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the wall extends proximate all of the perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the wall further comprises a stationary panel. 
     
     
         18 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the area is a front area of the deck. 
     
     
         19 . A watercraft comprising:
 a deck, the deck having a front end, a back end, and a perimeter; and   a wall extending proximate a portion of the perimeter and defining a use portion of the deck, the wall comprising a first reconfigurable panel, a second reconfigurable panel, and a stationary panel;   wherein the first reconfigurable panel has a first end and a second end and is movable between a fixed first position and a fixed second position;   wherein the second reconfigurable panel has a first end and a second end and is movable between a fixed first position and a fixed second position;   wherein the first end of the first reconfigurable panel is coupled to the second end of the second reconfigurable panel and the second end of the first reconfigurable panel is coupled to the stationary panel;   wherein, in the second position, the first panel folds against the second panel and the second panel folds against the stationary panel;   wherein, when at least one of the first reconfigurable panel and the second reconfigurable panel is in the second position, an area of the use portion of the deck is open.   
     
     
         20 . A watercraft comprising:
 a deck, the deck having a front end, a back end, and a perimeter; and   a wall extending proximate a portion of the perimeter and defining a use portion of the deck, the wall comprising a first reconfigurable panel, a second reconfigurable panel, and a stationary panel;   wherein the first reconfigurable panel has a first end and a second end and is movable between a fixed first position and a fixed second position;   wherein the second reconfigurable panel has a first end and a second end and is movable between a fixed first position and a fixed second position;   wherein the first end of the first reconfigurable panel is detachably coupled to the second end of the second reconfigurable panel and the second end of the first reconfigurable panel is coupled to the stationary panel;   wherein, in the second position, the first panel is detached from the second panel, and the second panel folds against the stationary panel;   wherein, when at least one of the first reconfigurable panel and the second reconfigurable panel is in the second position, an area of the use portion of the deck is open.