Watercraft with steerable planing surface
US6491554B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H2025/387
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A watercraft having a turnable (i.e., pivotable) planing surface, preferably with at least one skeg projecting generally vertically downward from the planing surface. This structure is designed to provide improved steering performance of watercraft, particularly jet-powered boats, while minimizing drag. The turnable planing surface is formed by a bottom surface of a steering pad mounted beneath a jet propulsion unit. In one embodiment, the water jet propulsion unit is fixed (i.e., not turnable) and the skeg-bearing planing surface is turnable relative to the water jet propulsion unit. In another embodiment, the water jet propulsion unit is turnable relative to the hull centerline (e.g., in the manner of an outboard engine) and the skeg-bearing planing surface is fixed relative to the water jet propulsion unit (i.e., the skeg-bearing planing surface turns in unison with the jet propulsion unit). The planing surface may optionally have strake-like sides.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.