Protective hull enclosure

Abstract

A protective hull enclosure for a stationary boat floating in a body of water is disclosed. A floatation collar forms a first closed figure that approximates the shape of the perimeter of the hull at the surface of the water. The interior of this floatation collar forms a continuous open space. A shroud frame is formed of a continuous flexible rod, and forms a second closed figure also approximating the shape of the perimeter of the hull. A protective shroud of a flexible, water impenetrable, opaque material in the approximate shape of the hull of the boat has a hem formed therein into which the shroud frame is inserted and retained. The shroud and shroud frame are attached to the floatation collar. The shroud also includes pockets sewn into the material and support ballast weights. A continuous flap protrudes from the hem of the shroud toward the side of the hull and extends around the perimeter of the boat, thereby providing a means for preventing light from entering the water between the hem of the shroud and the side of the boat. A gas pump is provided that forces water from the floatation collar to be forced through a U-shaped water inlet tube at the low point in the floatation collar, causing the floatation collar to be filled with air and float, thereby causing the hull enclosure to achieve a deployed position. A venturi pump is included that pulls water through the inlet tube into the floatation collar, causing the floatation collar to sink and thereby causing the hull enclosure to achieve an undeployed position, allowing the boat to depart. A guide apparatus is included that has at least one slidable connector fixed to the collar, and at least one guide wire that is held by a wire support in a vertical orientation adjacent to the collar and independent of the boat.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.