Bow thruster module and related methods
AssigneeCorrect Craft IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsAaron M. Marohl, Eric J. Miller, Adam C. Greer, Mark C. McKinney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A watercraft comprises a fiberglass hull and a bow thruster module. The fiberglass hull has a keel and a bow, a recess being formed in the hull extending into the keel proximate to the bow. The bow thruster module is mounted in the recess and includes a housing at least partially defining an athwartships tunnel and a propeller mounted in the tunnel, the housing including a fairing generally continuing a profile of the keel and surrounding hull around the recess.
Claims20
A watercraft comprising:
- a fiberglass hull having a keel and a bow, a recess being formed in the hull extending into the keel proximate to the bow;
- and
- a bow thruster module mounted in the recess and including a housing at least partially defining an athwartships tunnel extending across the keel and a propeller mounted in the tunnel, the housing including
- a fairing generally continuing a profile of the keel and surrounding hull around the recess,
- a housing neck extending upwardly from the fairing, and
- a propeller driveshaft extending through the housing neck and coupled to the propeller.
A method of mounting a bow thruster to a watercraft, the method comprising:
- forming a fiberglass hull with a recess extending into the keel proximate to the bow;
- and
- connecting a bow thruster module to the hull within the recess including a housing at least partially defining an athwartships tunnel and a propeller mounted in the tunnel comprising, the housing including a fairing continuing a profile of the keel and surrounding hull around the recess, a housing neck extending upwardly from the fairing, and a propeller driveshaft extending through the housing neck and coupled to the propeller.
A watercraft comprising:
- a fiberglass hull having a keel and a bow, a recess being formed in the hull extending into the keel proximate to the bow;
- and
- a bow thruster module mounted in the recess and including a housing completely defining an athwartships tunnel extending across the keel and a propeller mounted in the tunnel, the housing including a fairing generally continuing a profile of the keel and surrounding hull around the recess, the bow thruster module operable to impart port or starboard thrust to the bow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.