Dual Steering System and Related Boat

This application claims priority from U.S. Application No. 63/570,466, filed on Mar. 27, 2024, which applications are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference in this application.

The present invention relates to steering systems for watercraft, such as fishing boats; and more particularly, to the field of dual steering systems for fishing boats.

Watercraft of the known art have many different options for arrangement of their steering systems. In fishing boats, for example, it is common to arrange a steering system in a position on the deck to more easily view the surrounding water for an improved fishing experience (e.g., ease in surveying the surrounding water and fish, increased visibility of other vessels and obstacles, etc.) and to aid in navigating/operating the boat. One such steering system arrangement may be a dual helm, vertical steering system, where one steering system is elevated above another, independent steering system. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,446,818 to Dougherty describes a dual steering system of this type, where a lower navigation station is arranged at deck level and an upper navigation station is arranged above to allow a user to navigate the watercraft from an elevated position from a standing, leaning, or sitting position.

However, known dual steering systems may not be practical for simultaneous usage. For example, in some dual steering systems, like Dougherty, there may be visibility problems when operators are standing at both stations due to the upper navigation station being arranged in front of the lower navigation station. In such an arrangement, an operator sitting or standing at the upper navigation station will impede a field of view of an operator sitting or standing at the lower navigation station since the operator at the upper navigation station will be sitting or standing in front of the field of view of the operator at the lower navigation station. This will prevent an operator at the lower navigation station from being able to observe conditions while seated or standing at the lower navigation station.

To overcome the noted issues, some known dual steering systems reconfigure the upper navigation station so that visibility at the lower navigation station is not impacted. Yet, often these reconfigured arrangements have issues of their own. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,570 to Okuyama arranges the upper navigation system directly on top of the lower navigation station, but doing so undesirably increases a center of gravity of the vessel, thus making the vessel less stable. A less stable vessel may be more difficult to control in more treacherous weather conditions, and may result in capsize.

Accordingly, it would be desirable for a dual steering system that overcomes the noted issues, while also providing improved visibility without unduly increasing the center of gravity of the watercraft.

The present subject matter is described herein with reference to one or more embodiments. Embodiments may be described in isolation solely for the purpose of providing a full description of specific features of the hair removal devices, and any such isolated descriptionis not intended to limit the disclosure to individual embodiments that exclude combination with further embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure is intended to encompass any combination of two, three, four, or more of the embodiments that are described herein, as well as combinations of any two, three, four, or more features or elements of specific embodiments that are set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined in a specific embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosed invention, in any of its various aspects and embodiments, should be viewed as intended to be combinable unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following example embodiments. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a dual steering system and related boat. In one example embodiment, a boat comprises a hull at least partially covered by a main deck; a lower steering station located on the main deck, the lower steering station comprising a frame extending from the main deck and a lower control console disposed on and attached to the frame; a support being arranged on the main deck and having at least a first surface elevated above the main deck and behind the lower control console toward an aft side of the hull; a superstructure comprising a bottom surface and an opposing top surface, wherein the bottom surface of the superstructure is attached to the frame above the lower control console and an opening extends through the bottom and top surfaces of the superstructure and aligns with the first surface of the support; and an upper steering station comprising an upper control console disposed on and attached to the top surface of the superstructure, the upper control console arranged above and behind the lower control console toward the aft side of the hull, wherein the first surface of the support is arranged for a person to stand on the first surface in an elevated position above and behind the lower control console while surrounded by the opening and in a position to operate the upper control console.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the boat further comprises a cover arrangeable over the opening in the superstructure.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the support comprises a second surface arranged below and in front of the first surface, the second surface of the support being arranged for the person to sit on the second surface and in a position to operate the lower control console disposed on and attached to the frame.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the boat further comprises pipework including two poles extending in parallel to one another from the main deck or the support and to the superstructure, wherein the pipework comprises at least one step extending between the two poles to allow the person to climb onto the first surface therefrom.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, a perimeter of the top surface of the superstructure is at least partially surrounded by a railing.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, a rocket launcher is attached or coupled to a portion of the railing.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the rocket launcher is attached or coupled to the portion of the railing that is behind the opening toward the aft side of the hull.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the upper control console of the upper steering station comprises one or more peripheral accessories including one or more of a display, an on/off switch, a navigation system, electronic control components, a steering element, engine throttle control, and any combination thereof.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the boat further comprises an engine in communication with the lower control console and the upper control console.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the boat is configured to be controlled by either the lower control console or the upper control console upon receipt of an operational control signal at the engine from one of the lower control console and the upper control console.

In another example embodiment of the boat, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the boat further comprises an upper seat with a bottom portion movable relative to a top portion between an open position that allows for sitting thereon and a closed position that allows for standing on the first surface in which the bottom portion is moved adjacent to the top portion.

In another example embodiment a dual steering system for a boat is disclosed and comprises a lower steering station located on a main deck of the boat, the lower steering station comprising: a frame extending from the main deck, and a lower control console disposed on and attached to the frame; and an upper steering station comprising: a support being arranged on the main deck and having at least a first surface elevated above the main deck and behind the lower control console toward an aft side of a hull of the boat, a superstructure comprising a bottom surface and an opposing top surface, wherein the bottom surface of the superstructure is attached to the frame above the lower control console and an opening extends through the bottom and top surfaces of the superstructure and aligns with the first surface of the support, an upper control console disposed on and attached to the top surface of the superstructure, the upper control console arranged above and behind the lower control console toward the aft side of the hull, wherein the first surface of the support is arranged for a person to stand on the first surface in an elevated position above and behind the lower control console while surrounded by the opening and in a position to operate the upper control console.

In another example embodiment of the system, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the system further comprises a cover arrangeable over the opening in the superstructure.

In another example embodiment of the system, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the support comprises a second surface arranged below and in front of the first surface, the second surface of the support being arranged for the person to sit on the second surface and in a position to operate the lower control console disposed on and attached to the frame.

In another example embodiment of the system, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the system further comprises pipework including two poles extending in parallel to one another from the main deck or the support and to the superstructure, wherein the pipework comprises at least one step extending between the two poles to allow the person to climb onto the first surface therefrom.

In another example embodiment of the system, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, a perimeter of the top surface of the superstructure is at least partially surrounded by a railing.

In another example embodiment of the system, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, a rocket launcher is attached or coupled to a portion of the railing.

In another example embodiment of the system, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the rocket launcher is attached or coupled to the portion of the railing that is behind the opening toward the aft side of the hull.

In another example embodiment of the system, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the upper control console of the upper steering station comprises one or more peripheral accessories including one or more of a display, an on/off switch, a navigation system, electronic control components, a steering element, engine throttle control, and any combination thereof.

In another example embodiment of the system, of any preceding example embodiment or combination of preceding example embodiments, the system further comprises an upper seat with a bottom portion movable relative to a top portion between an open position that allows for sitting thereon and a closed position that allows for standing on the first surface in which the bottom portion is moved adjacent to the top portion.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Any elements of these exemplary embodiments may be combined or excluded to form additional embodiments, though those are not discussed in detail herein. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural variations unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the figures, the forward, aft, port, and starboard directions are indicated for reference. “Lengthwise” shall mean a direction that is parallel to the forward and aft direction as indicated in the figures of the drawings.

As described hereinafter, the present disclosure relates to a boat, and specifically, a dual steering system for a boat. As used herein, a “dual steering system” refers to at least two separate steering stations on the boat, where one of the steering stations is elevated relative to the other steering station(s). There may be just two steering stations, though the present disclosure contemplates a multiple steering system where there are three, four, five, six, seven, or more steering stations. One of the steering stations may be considered a “primary” steering station where primary or master controls are arranged. Such a primary steering station may be either a lower steering station or an upper steering station. The other steering station(s) may be considered a “secondary” steering station with secondary controls that do not provide as full control over the boat as the primary controls. The secondary steering station may be the other of the upper steering station or the lower steering station. Regardless, the upper steering station may be elevated above and set back behind the lower steering station to allow for visibility for both operators at each steering station. However, each of the steering stations may also have the same controls, such that the boat may be controlled equally fully at either station.

In this regard,illustrates, for example, a boat or watercraftaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The boatmay include a hullat least partially covered by a main deck, one or more engines, which may be inboard or outboard, a lower steering station, and an upper steering station. As may be understood, the particular configuration of the boatmay vary, e.g., may not be a center console watercraft as depicted in. Thus, it should be understood that the size, shape, arrangement, and configuration of the boat itself and/or the components of the boat may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As noted hereinabove,depicts a center console fishing boat, though the boats or watercraft contemplated by this disclosure may be any type of vessel capable of traversing a body of water. In particular, the boat contemplated by the present disclosure is one where having an elevated, upper steering station may be beneficial, such as, for example, in sport fishing, where it is desirable to be able to steer the boat from an elevated position to observe fishing conditions in the water ahead. However, other reasons for utilizing an elevated, upper steering station, such as, for example, family excursions, are contemplated herein. Other style boats are also contemplated by this disclosure, such that the upper steering station and other components related thereto are not limited in use to a center console boat, such as that described in.

The one or more enginesshown in, may be a standard outboard engine unit including various, commonly known elements such, as for example, an engine, a gearbox, and a propeller, which power and steer the boat. However, the one or more enginesmay also include an inboard engine unit mounted inside the hull, for example. Such an inboard engine may turn a drive shaft that runs through a bottom of the hulland is attached to a propeller at the other end. Regardless of whether the engine is an inboard or outboard engine, the engine may generally include an electronic control unit (ECU) (not shown) that receives operational control signals and controls the operations performed by the enginein response to the received operational control signals. The operations include, for example, operational controls with inputs from the dual steering system. Such operational includes include changing the speed, changing the steering direction, adjusting the power output, adjusting the trim, or the like. Manipulation of one of the sets of operational controls may be converted to an operational control signal, which is transferred over a communication network (not shown in) to the engine. The ECU of the engineconverts the operational control signals to actuation commands within the engine, and the enginechanges operational conditions in response to the actuation commands. One example of operational controls is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,570 to Okuyama, incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

The dual steering system described herein includes the lower steering stationand the upper steering station. The lower steering stationis generally located toward a center of the main deck. As used herein, “toward a center” means substantially centrally located on the main deckbetween forward and aft, and between starboard and port. However, the lower steering stationmay be located in any region of the main deck, below the main deck, or even elevated slightly above the main deck, such that the present invention is not limited to a boat where the lower steering stationis located toward the center of the main deck. The lower steering stationmay comprise a frameextending from the main deckand a lower control console() disposed on and attached to the frame.

In the example embodiment illustrated in, the framemay be attached to the main deckin any number of ways known in the art, such as, for example, by welding. The framemay form an open cockpit, with two vertical side portions and a forward portion arranged therebetween, where the forward portion forms a glass windscreen. In this way, an operator may stand in an open portion of the cockpit created between the vertical side portions and the forward portion, at the lower control consoleof the lower steering stationand view the waters ahead through the glass windscreen. The operator may choose to either stand or sit at the lower control consoleto operate the boat. For example, as shown in, the operator is shown as standing at the lower control consoleto operate the boat. In another example, not shown, the operator may sit at the lower control consoleto operate the boatusing a seat formed by a supportarranged on the main deckbehind the lower control consoleand toward an aft side of the hull. The supportmay be attached to the main deckin any number of ways known in the art, such as, for example, by welding, bolting, and the like. In this way, the supportmay be permanently attached to the main deck, though the supportmay also be removable therefrom, e.g., by unscrewing the support. The seat may be formed by a surface (i.e., a second surface) of the supportextending toward the lower control console, and if the operator chooses to stand instead of sit, the operator may stand in front of the seat and operate the boatfrom the lower control console(as shown in). The second surfaceof the support is in this way arranged for the person to sit on the second surfaceand in a position to operate the lower control consoledisposed on and attached to the frame.

The lower control consolemay comprise one or more peripheral accessories not explicitly called out in the figures, but present nonetheless, and including one or more of a display, an on/off switch, a navigation system, electronic control components, a steering element, engine throttle control, and any combination thereof for operating the boat. The electronic control components may include at least one of a control unit, a control system selector (i.e., selection between the lower steering stationand the upper steering station). These components are used to operate the boat. For example, operation of the on/off switch sends one or more operational control signals to the ECU of the engineto start and stop the engine. Operation of the engine throttle control, e.g., a throttle/shift lever, sends one or more operational control signals to the ECU of the engineto control whether the boat advances (moves forward) or reverses (moves backward) and to control the speed of the boat. Operation of the steering element sends one or more operational control signals to the ECU of the engineto control the direction of the thrust generated by the propulsion device (e.g., the propeller) to control whether the boatcontinues along a current path or deviates to the left or the right. Operation of the control system selector advantageously enables the foregoing set of controls at whichever, if any, steering station is designated a primary control station. Consequently, when the control system selector is operated, the boatmay be maneuvered or otherwise controlled by an operator at the lower steering station, which may be designated as the primary steering station.

A superstructure or roof structuremay be installed over the frame. The superstructuremay be comprised of a carbon epoxy, or any other suitable material, and may comprise a bottom surfaceand an opposing top surface, wherein the bottom surfaceof the superstructureis attached to the frameabove the lower control console. The superstructuremay be a structural base upon which the upper steering stationis securely affixed by any means known in the art for affixing a cover, or hard top, to a watercraft. Such means for securely affixing a cover or hard top to a watercraft include but are not limited to bolting, integrated fiberglass structural elements that are connected by chemical bonding, or any other known attachment means. In this manner, the superstructuremay be arranged over the framesuch that at least the top surfaceof the superstructureis substantially elevated over and parallel to the water.

The upper steering stationmay, in some example embodiments, be attached to the top surfaceof the superstructureand arranged above and behind the lower control consoletoward the aft side of the hullas shown in. Similar to the superstructure, the upper steering stationmay be attached to the watercraftby, for example, welding, bolting, integrated fiberglass structural elements that are connected by chemical bonding, or any other known attachment means, to the top surfaceof the superstructureor otherwise to the frame. A perimeter of the top surfaceof the superstructuremay be at least partially surrounded by a railing, similarly welded, bolted, integrated, or connected by any other means to the top surfaceof the superstructure. The railingmay at least partially surround an openingextending through the bottom and top surfaces,of the superstructureand aligning with a first surfaceof the supportelevated above the main deck. The support may be arranged for a person to stand on the first surfacein an elevated position above and behind the lower control consoletoward the aft side of the hulland while surrounded by the opening.

The openingmay be arranged such that it is totally or only partially surrounded by the top surfaceof the superstructure. For example, the openingmay be totally surrounded by the top surfaceof the super structureas shown in. Alternatively, the openingmay only be partially surrounded by the top surfaceof the superstructure, such that the openingis formed as a “cut-out” or “notch” formed in the top surfaceof the super structure. Regardless of the arrangement of the openingin the superstructure, the supportmay be aligned with the openingso that a person may stand on the first surfacein the elevated position above and behind the lower control consoletoward the aft side of the hulland while either partially or totally surrounded by the opening.

The supportis thus so configured, in this embodiment, that the second surfaceis arranged below and in front of the first surface, such that when the person stands on the first surfaceof the supportthey are behind the second surfaceand do not interfere with visibility of an operator operating the boatat the lower control console. At least one stepmay be arranged on the supporttoward the aft side to allow the person to climb onto the first surfaceof the support without interfering with any operator at the lower control console. The stepmay enable an easy transition from the main deckto the first surface. As shown in, for example, the at least one stepis arranged as tubing affixed behind the first surfaceof the support and below the second surface. Any number of additional steps may also be included, or a built in ladder may also be used. this manner, the person may step onto the stepand then the first surfaceof the supportwithout interfering with operator visibility at the lower control console, such that a first operator may stand or sit at the lower control consoleand a second operator may stand at the upper control console without interfering with visibility out the windscreen for the first operator. In this manner, the supportprovides the dual function of acting as the seat support for an operator at the lower steering stationand the standing support for an operator at the upper steering station, without impacting visibility for either operator. Such a dual purpose reduces the number of components needed on the boat, which thus aids in reducing overall weight of the boat and fuel useage.

Alternatively, instead of the step, an automated lift, not shown, may lift an operator from the main deckto the upper steering stationso that operators of differing abilities may be able to operate the boatfrom the upper steering station.

Similar to the lower steering station, the upper steering stationmay comprise an upper control consolethat enables an operator to operate the boatfrom the upper control console, as the first surfaceof the support is in this way arranged for the person to stand on the first surfacein a position in an elevated position to operate the upper control consoledisposed on and attached to the top surfaceof the superstructure. The upper control consolemay comprise one or more peripheral accessories not explicitly called out in the figures, but present nonetheless. These peripheral accessories may duplicate those peripheral accessories of the lower control console, and including one or more of a display, an on/off switch, a navigation system, electronic control components, a steering element, engine throttle control, and any combination thereof for operating the boat. The electronic control components may include at least one of a control unit, a control system selector (i.e., selection between the lower steering stationand the upper steering station). These components are used to operate the boat. For example, operation of the on/off switch sends one or more operational control signals to the ECU of the engine to start and stop the engine. Operation of the engine throttle control, e.g., a throttle/shift lever, sends one or more operational control signals to the ECU of the engineto control whether the boat advances (moves forward) or reverses (moves backward) and to control the speed of the boat. Operation of the steering element sends one or more operational control signals to the ECU of the engineto control the direction of the thrust generated by the propulsion device (e.g., the propeller) to control whether the boatcontinues along a current path or deviates to the left or the right. Operation of the control system selector advantageously enables the foregoing set of controls at whichever, if any, steering station is designated the primary control station. Consequently, when the control system selector is operated, the boat may be maneuvered or otherwise controlled by an operator at the designated lower steering station.

The control system selector may thus allow for authorization to operate the boatby switching between the lower and upper steering stations,, and in a preferred embodiment, communication from unauthorized steering systems stations is disabled. Each of the lower steering stationand the upper steering stationincludes an associated set of operational controls that send operational control signals to other devices (e.g., the engine) to control the operation of the boat. One example of such type of control is described in U.S.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,570 to Okuyama, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In this manner, the engineis in communication with the lower control consoleand the upper control console, such that the boatis configured to be controlled by either the lower control consoleor the upper control consoleupon receipt of the operational control signal at the enginefrom one of the lower control consoleand the upper control console.

The boatmay also comprise other optional elements like a coverarrangeable over the opening in the superstructure, as shown, for example, in. The covermay be slideable on tracks in order to adjust a size or shape of the opening, or may be simply removable and replaceable as needed (e.g., the coveris hingedly attached to a side of the opening). In some other embodiments, as shown in more detail in, for example, a rocket launcheris attached to or coupled to a portion of the railingand/or the top surfaceof the superstructure, and in some examples, the rocket launcheris attached or coupled to the portion of the railingthat is behind the openingtoward the aft side of the hullor arranged on one or both sides of the openingaround a perimeter of the top surfaceof the superstructure. As used herein, a “rocket launcher” is so named due to the shape and configuration thereof, and may be used to hold one or more fishing rods. More particularly, a circumferential surface of a rod receiver of the rocket launchermay be affixed to the railing, which acts as a crossbar, while a bottom end of the rod receiver is affixed to the top surfaceof the superstructure. For example, the rod receivers may be welded to the railingor otherwise be affixed such that the rod receivers are not moveable with respect to the railing. Otherwise, the rod receivers may be movably attached to the railingto allow for control over the angle at which the fishing rods are arranged.

illustrate, for example, a boat or watercraftaccording to another example embodiment of the present disclosure. The boatmay comprise and/or exclude one or more of the elements described in relation to the boat. For example, the boatmay include a hullat least partially covered by a main deck, one or more engines, which may be inboard or outboard, a lower steering station, and an upper steering station. The lower steering stationmay comprise a frameextending from the main deckand a lower control consoledisposed on and attached to the frame. The framemay form an open cockpit, with two vertical side portions and a forward portion arranged therebetween, where the forward portion forms a glass windscreen. A seat formed by a supportmay be arranged on the main deckbehind the lower control consoleand toward an aft side of the hull. Accordingly, each of these elements of the boatmay have a structure, shape, function, material, etc., similar to or different than that described with regard to the boat.

In some implementations, the boatmay differ from the boatin that the supportcomprises tubing or pipeworkthat extends from the main deckor, as shown, from the supportto a superstructureinstalled over the frame. The superstructuremay comprise a bottom surfaceand an opposing top surface, wherein the bottom surfaceof the superstructureis attached to the frameabove the lower control console. A railingmay at least partially surround an openingextending through the bottom and top surfaces,of the superstructureand aligning with a first surfaceof the supportelevated above the main deck. The first surfacemay be attached to the supportvia pipework, which is separate from or formed integrally with the pipeworkextending from the main deckand/or the support. In other words, pipework may be arranged relative to the first surfaceto extend therefrom and onto the support. The pipework may be attached to the first surfaceand/or the supportin any known manner such as welding, bolting, integrated fiberglass structural elements that are connected by chemical bonding, etc.

Optionally, and not shown, the pipework of the seat and/or the pipeworkextending from the main deckand/or supportmay extend to form one or more stationary rocket launchers arranged toward the aft edge of the superstructure. The pipeworkmay be fixedly attached at the support, the main deck, and/or any portion of the superstructureby welding, bolting, integrated fiberglass structural elements that are connected by chemical bonding, or any other known attachment means. Otherwise, one or more portions of the pipework may be removable at one or more attachment points on the support, the main deck, the first surface, and/or any portion of the superstructure. The pipework may be comprised of stainless steel, aluminum, teak and/or nylon. Other materials are also contemplated that are strong enough to support a user, but also corrosion-resistant in marine environments.

More particularly, in the example embodiment shown in, the pipeworkis designed so that there are supports to be gripped by hand for safer and easier ascent to and descent from the upper steering station. To that end, the structure of the pipeworkmay be described as having separate “sections” that together form the complete framework of the pipework. However, referring to the pipeworkas having “sections” is merely for the purpose of describing the structure and function of the pipework in this example embodiment, as the framework of the pipeworkitself may be considered as one integral unit. To that end, each of the described sections may be fixedly or removably attached to one another in one or more different manners or locations along the pipework.

In this example, the pipeworkis described as comprising three “sections”: a first sectionA, a second sectionB, and a third sectionC. However, the pipeworkmay also be described as being an integral unit, having two separate sections, four separate sections, etc. Accordingly, in this example embodiment, the first sectionA comprises two polesA,B extending in parallel to one another from the attachment point at the main deckand/or supportto the first surfaceof the support. In some examples, such as the one shown in, the two poles are vertically arranged so that they are substantially perpendicular to the main deck. In some embodiments, the two vertical poles may have other shapes defined along a length thereof, such as, for example, including hand grips that extend outward therefrom. The pipework of the first sectionA comprises at least one step which may extend between the two poles of the first sectionA at a location between the first surfaceand the attachment point at the main deckand/or supportto allow a person to climb onto the first surfacetherefrom. As shown in, there are two stepsA andB extending between the two vertical poles, though there may be one step, three steps, four steps, etc. The number of steps may depend on the distance between the lower steering stationand the upper steering station. The stepsA and/orB may be formed of the same material as the poles of the first sectionA or may be a separate material, such as, for example, teak. The stepsA and/orB may bow outwardly from in between the two vertical polesA,B of the first sectionA or may lie within the same plane thereof.