FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of small watercraft. In particular, the present invention is directed to righting devices for assisting with righting capsized watercraft, and watercraft incorporating such righting devices.

BACKGROUND

Small watercraft can capsize and cause challenges to the occupants of the watercraft in righting the watercraft. For example, sailing dinghies often used for training young sailors are relatively easily upset and capsized during training and routine use. Often young sailors are not fully grown, and their lack of size and strength relative to adult sailors can make righting a capsized dinghy especially challenging.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a kit for assisting a user in righting a watercraft when the watercraft is capsized, the watercraft including a hull bottom. The kit includes a righting device that includes a base designed and configured to confront the hull bottom; a fastening system for securing the righting device to the hull bottom; and at least one foot/hand hold fixedly secured to the base, the at least one foot/hand hold spaced from the hull bottom so as to allow the user to grasp the at least one foot/hand hold when the watercraft is capsized; and installation instructions for instructing an installer on installing the righting device on the hull bottom, the installation instructions including instructions for locating the righting device on the hull bottom so as to allow a user to stand on the at least one foot/hand hold to aid in righting the watercraft; and instructions for deploying the fastening system to secure the righting device to the hull bottom.

In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a righting device for assisting a user with righting a watercraft when the watercraft is capsized, the watercraft having a hull bottom. The righting device includes a base designed and configured to be secured to the hull bottom; a fastening system to secure the righting device to the hull bottom; and at least one foot/hand hold rigidly secured to the base so as to be spaced from the hull bottom when the righting device is secured to the hull bottom, the at least one foot/hand hold including a step region having one or more anti-slip features to inhibit slipping when the user is engaging the step region to right the watercraft when capsized.

In yet another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a watercraft that includes a hull having a bottom and a longitudinal centerline; and a first righting device located on the bottom of the hull in a first location laterally offset relative to the longitudinal centerline.

