Portable solar-electric watercraft

A watercraft, comprising:

• a pair of inner lengthwise frame members positioned horizontally between and substantially parallel to a pair of outer lengthwise frame members;
• a forward beamwise frame member affixed to both of said pair of inner lengthwise frame members and both of said pair of outer lengthwise frame members;
• an aft beamwise frame member affixed to both of said pair of inner lengthwise frame members and both of said pair of outer lengthwise frame members;
• a pair of primary arch members affixed at their ends to said forward beamwise frame member and said aft beamwise frame member, each of said pair of primary arch members being configured to arch upward relative to said inner lengthwise frame member and said outer lengthwise frame member;
• a main fabric panel stretched between said pair of primary arch frame members, said forward beamwise frame member, and said aft beamwise frame member;
• a pair of aft panel side members each rotatably-lockably affixed to said aft beamwise frame member;
• an aft panel top member affixed at its ends to each of said pair of aft panel side members;
• and
• an aft fabric panel stretched between said pair of aft panel side members, said aft beamwise frame member, and said aft panel time member, said aft fabric panel including a gap located against said aft beamwise frame member, said gap being shaped to accommodate said tiller;
• wherein said watercraft is foldable into a first operational configuration and a second transport configuration;
• said first operational configuration comprising removably affixing each of a pair of inflatable pontoons below one of said pair of inner lengthwise frame members and one of said pair of outer lengthwise frame members such that loads applied to said pair of inner lengthwise frame members and said pair of outer lengthwise frame members oppose buoyant forces on said pair of inflatable pontoons such that said pair of inflatable pontoons is urged upward and into said pair of inner lengthwise frame members and said pair of outer lengthwise frame members;
• said first operational configuration further comprising an electric trolling motor removably mounted centrally to said aft beamwise frame member;
• said second transport configuration comprising removing said pair of inflatable pontoons and said electric trolling motor from said watercraft;
• and
• said second transport configuration comprising rotating said aft panel side members, together with said aft panel top member and aft fabric panel, forward such that said aft panel top member is substantially in contact with said pair of primary arch frame members.

A watercraft comprising:

• a frame constructed of rigid tubular members of circular cross section;
• said frame being releasably affixed to and supported by at least two inflatable pontoons;
• said frame being releasably affixed to an electric trolling motor;
• said frame comprising one or more movable joints;
• each of said one or more movable joints comprising a tubular connector having two or more of said rigid tubular members inserted therein, said tubular connector being selected from the group consisting of:
• a tubular T-connector, a tubular right-angle connector, a tubular corner connector, and a tubular angled T-connector;
• each said tubular connector comprising at least one embedded bolt configured to selectively apply friction to one of said rigid tubular members inserted therein;
• a first fabric panel stretched between a first at least two of said rigid tubular members;
• a second fabric panel stretched between a second at least two of said rigid tubular members;
• said second at least two of said rigid tubular members being rotatably-lockably affixed to said frame via said one or more movable joints so as to be rotatable relative to said first at least two of said rigid tubular members;
• wherein said first fabric panel and/or said second fabric panel comprises a plurality of grommet holes along at least one edge adjacent to one of said rigid tubular members, and said first fabric panel and/or said second fabric panel is lashed to said one of said rigid tubular members by a cord;
• and
• wherein said first fabric panel and/or said second fabric panel is rectangular in shape and is surrounded on its four edges by four of said rigid tubular members, said first fabric panel and/or said second fabric panel is prefabricated with four cords, each affixed to a starting corner grommet hole, and each cord of said four cords is tied according to the method steps:
• starting at that corner at which said cord is affixed, looping said cord around a first adjacent tubular member adjacent to said corner and back through said starting corner grommet hole;
• looping said cord around a second adjacent tubular member adjacent to said starting corner and back through said starting corner grommet hole;
• repeating, until completing for an ending corner grommet hole adjacent to said second adjacent tubular member and a third adjacent tubular member:
• (i) passing said cord through a next grommet hole adjacent to said starting corner grommet hole, and (ii) passing said cord around said second adjacent tubular member and back through said next grommet hole;
• looping said cord around said third adjacent tubular member;
• and
• tying off said cord to said ending corner grommet hole.