Means for decreasing wave resistance on marine vessels

A marine vessel comprising:

• a hull in which a full load water line is defined, said hull having a rear portion wherein the full load water line has a rearwardmost point, a rudder for steering said vessel mounted to said hull, and at least one wave forming member separate from said rudder and immovably fixed to the rear portion of the hull and extending rearwardly beyond the rearwardmost point of the full load water line, the width of said wave forming member being substantially smaller than that of a portion of said hull to which said wave forming member is connected, so that a sharp transition occurs in the outer profile of the horizontal sectional configuration of said wave forming member and said hull taken along the full load water line, said transition forming a neck portion between said wave forming member and said hull, and said wave forming member having a first substantial portion exposed above the full water line and located below a top edge of said hull, and a second substantial portion located below the full load water line and located above a lowermost portion of said hull, said wave forming member producing waves which are opposite in phase to and interfere with waves produced at the rear portion of the hull to thereby decrease overall waves at a stern portion of said vessel.