Non-planing boat hull

Description

The present invention generally relates to hull construction for a small boat and is more particularly directed to an improved hull construction for an electric boat, which provides maneuverability and stability along with low wake generation.

Boat hulls may be classified generally as flat bottom, V-bottom, and round bottom.

Boats with flat bottom hulls generally have a shallow draft and while they may plane easily, unless the water surface is perfectly flat, they tend to give a rough ride because of the flat bottom pounding on each wave. They also tend to be less stable and require careful balancing of the load.

V-bottom hulls tend to have a sharper entry into the water, which provides for a smoother ride in rough water, however, they generally require more power to achieve the same speed.

Boats with round bottom hulls generally move easily through the water, especially at low speeds, however they tend to roll.

With regard to the wave generation when a hull is moved forward through the water, the bow generates a bow wave and the stern generates a stern wave and a transverse wave. In addition, pressure waves directed downward may also be produced, which are generally by both a sharp and blunt end sterns.

Generation of these waves does not improve the efficiency or the seaworthiness of the boat and in addition waste a great deal of energy.

Further, such waves may also present a hazard to other vessels and can be a source of damage to embankments or shoreline structures.

The present invention is directed to a non-planing boat hull, which produces little or no wake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A non-planing boat hull in accordance with the present invention generally includes a forward portion having a bow with the forward portion having a width tapering smaller from a beam toward the bow.

An aft portion of the hull includes a stern and the aft portion includes a width tapering smaller from the beam toward the stern.

A keel is provided and disposed along a hull centerline with the keel having a back supporting a propeller and a forward height tapering smaller toward the bow.

Fore topsides extending from the beam to the bow include an arcuate convex transition to the hull forward portion.

The aft topsides extend from the beam to the stern and include an arcuate concave transition to the hull aft portion with the aft topside forming approximately a 90° angle with a transom. The aft topsides further join the hull aft portion with the convex surface near a waterline of the hull.

More particularly, the hull forward and aft portions form a teardrop shaped waterline, as well as providing a teardrop shaped displacement volume.

This waterline and displacement volume results in little or no wake with hull speeds of up to about 6 knots.

More particularly, the hull forward and aft portions form a relatively flat bottom and the waterline and displaced volume are generally unchanged at hull speeds up to about 6 knots.

Further, the hull is smooth and includes no chines or strakes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-planing boat hull in accordance with the present invention generally showing a forward portion having a bow and an aft portion having a stern along with a keel disposed along a hull centerline;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the hull shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view similar to FIG. 2 detailed with index lines and dimensions;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the non-planing hull in accordance with the present invention clearly illustrating a teardrop shaped waterline and a teardrop shaped volume displacement along with index lines corresponding to those shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the boat hull in accordance with the present invention detailed with index lines and dimensions corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of the hull in accordance with the present invention illustrated with index lines and dimensions corresponding to the index lines shown in FIGS. 3-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a non-planing boat hull 10 in accordance with the present invention which generally includes a forward portion 12 having a bow 14 with the forward portion 12 having a width tapering smaller from a beam indicated as index number 7 on FIG. 3 toward the bow as is most clearly shown in FIG. 4.

An aft portion 18 includes a stern 20 and the aft portion includes a width tapering smaller from the beam toward the stern 20.

It should be appreciated that the hull 10 is preferably formed from conventional marine fiberglass materials and, as shown includes no chines or strakes.

A keel 24 is formed along a centerline (see FIG. 4) and includes a back 32 for supporting a propeller shaft 34 and includes a forward portion 38 tapering smaller towards a bow 14, as most clearly shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIGS. 3-6 include index numbers as shown along with dimensions, particularly describing the shape of the non-planning boat hull 10 in accordance with the present invention, the dimensions enabling a hull 10 to have a teardrop shaped waterline, as well as a teardrop shaped displacement volume as represented by the line 50 in FIG. 4.

Importantly, these teardrop shaped waterline replacement volume remain constant independent of hull speed up to about 6 knots. Corresponding volume displacement shapes indicated by the line 52 illustrates that despite loading of the hull, the teardrop shaped displacement remains relatively constant.

Fore topsides 54 extend from the beam to the bow 14 and include an arcuate convex transition to the hull forward portion 12, as most clearly shown in FIG. 6.

Aft topsides 58 extend from the beam to the stern 20 and include an arcuate concave transition 62 to the aft hull portion 18, as most clearly shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, the aft topsides 58 form approximately a 90° angle with a transom 66 and, as further shown in FIG. 5, the aft topsides 58 join the hull aft portion with a convex surface 70 near the waterline 46.

As is also evident from FIGS. 5 and 6, the hull forward and aft portions 12, 18 form a relatively flat bottom 74 with stability provided by the keel 24.

Thus, wile the hull design provides for movement through water with little or no wake, the keel provides for stability and maneuverability, especially at low speeds.

Although there has been hereinabove described a specific non-planing boat hull in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element, which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.