Retractable lift-propulsion system for a watercraft and watercraft having same

A watercraft, comprising:

• a buoyant body having upper and lower surfaces on respective upper and lower sides thereof;
• a retractable lift-propulsion system comprising:
• a mast connected to the buoyant body, the mast having a proximal end and a distal end, the mast being movable between a retracted position and a deployed position,
• the mast extending from the lower side of the buoyant body in the deployed position,
• a distance between the distal end of the mast and the lower surface of the buoyant body being greater in the deployed position than in the retracted position;
• and
• a lift-propulsion assembly comprising:
• a hydrofoil for providing lift to the watercraft at least in the deployed position of the mast;
• and
• a propulsion unit for providing thrust to the watercraft in the retracted and deployed positions of the mast,
• the lift-propulsion assembly being connected to the distal end of the mast such that, in the deployed position of the mast, the lift-propulsion assembly is distanced from the buoyant body of the watercraft and, in the retracted position of the mast, the lift-propulsion assembly is proximate the buoyant body of the watercraft,
• the lift-propulsion assembly further comprising a frame pivotably connected to the distal end of the mast, the hydrofoil and the propulsion unit being connected to the frame;
• and
• the retractable lift-propulsion system further comprising:
• an inner housing at least partially enclosed by and connected to the buoyant body of the watercraft, the mast being pivotably connected to the inner housing;
• and
• a mast assembly comprising:
• the mast;
• the inner housing;
• the frame of the lift-propulsion assembly;
• and
• a link pivotably connected to the frame of the lift-propulsion assembly and to the inner housing,
• the mast, the inner housing, the frame and the link collaborating to guide movement of the mast between the retracted and deployed positions.