BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pontoon boats are used for a number of purposes. First, like any boat, they are designed for transport across a body of water. Unlike some other boats, however, pontoon boats are particularly versatile. In addition to mere transport, they can be used for tubing, swimming, and other water activities. They can also be used for relaxing pastimes such as fishing, reading, or sunbathing. Pontoon boats can be used to host a small party or dinner. Pontoon boats are also useful for sight-seeing. Pontoon boats further have the advantage of being easy to board and providing significant storage.

Traditional pontoon boat design requires customers to choose the seating, helm, and other deck modules to be used, and in what configuration they will be installed, at the time of purchase. Deck modules are typically permanently or semi-permanently secured to the deck of the boat using power tools and fasteners that are difficult to remove. This mounting method is not designed to be reconfigured and, if modules are removed, would leave objectionable holes in the floor covering and deck of the boat.

During the course of ownership, or even between boat outings, a boat owner's needs may change as to how they wish to use the cockpit space on the boat, i.e., the deck area inside the perimeter of the boat. Boat decks are typically custom outfitted with the customer's choice of trim packages and amenities. The customer is also able to customize the furniture elements to be installed. For example, the customer could order a pair of captain's chairs or a two-person bench seat.

In addition, some chairs on a boat deck can be removable, foldable, adjustable, or the like. However, once the boat is custom manufactured, the furniture and module elements are not designed to be easily rearranged or removed. The customer must therefore decide, prior to purchase, on a single preferred configuration of seats, loungers, couches, and the like.

Unfortunately, the chosen configuration may not be suitable for each activity in which the boater wishes to engage. For example, a party may be best served by seating facing one another for easy conversation. Yet if that same boat owner were to take a group out sight-seeing, the “party” configuration may require guests to turn in their chair for best viewing outside the boat.

Likewise, a swimming and sunbathing configuration, which may include reclining lounge chairs, a sun deck or sun shade, and/or a changing station, may be different from a fishing configuration, which might include swivel and/or raised high-back stools along the perimeter of the boat facing the water. In a fishing configuration, a boat might also include cooler modules for bait and fresh-caught fish.

To get the maximum out of an investment in a pontoon boat, it is considered beneficial to be able to switch out and re-arrange modules to suit the use at hand and the changing preferences of the owner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a method, apparatus, and system for a modular mounting of pontoon boat components, including but not limited to, seats, loungers, helm, bars, tables, fishing pedestals, sun pads storage bins, privacy curtains, and lighting elements. The invention allows a boater to easily reconfigure a boat as the person's needs or preferences change, without leaving unwanted holes in the boat deck.

