Flexible bow air ride boat hull

Abstract

An improved performance marine surface vessel with at least one recess that intersects the hull substantially beneath the static waterline thereof, the recess bounded by stabilizing, load-carrying, catamaran-like side hulls, flexible seal member at its forward portion, with downwardly extending generally bow shaped members located at its aft portion and optionally therebetween, with the recess being supplied with pressurized gas to maintain a lift-augmenting, restrained pressurized gas layer under the hull that improves load carrying capability, efficiency and ride quality. The flexible or soft seal member at the front of the vessel absorbs much of the initial wave impact thereby contributing substantially to the exceptional ride quality which, along with efficiency and speed, is a major object of the invention. The aft bow members, and optional intermediate bow sections in some cases, may ride in the water like small bow sections thereby improving hull ride and handling characteristics and reducing gas leakage. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the catamaran sidehull keels diverge thereby allowing a smaller width seal between the sidehulls forward with resultant smoother ride and less gas leakage forward. The bow shaped members along with the catamaran-like side hulls provide gas restraining means, sure tracking and turning characteristics when underway in any type of sea, and proper hull attitude and trim without wallowing at low speeds or yaw, roll or pitch instabilities at high speeds even if the pressurized gas supply is wholely or partially inoperative.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.