# US 5,704,308 A · Pivotal afterplane having a motor positioned thereon > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,308 A - Document ID: US5704308A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/698,567 - Filed: 1996-08-15 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1996-08-15 - Inventors: Carl Anderson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704308A ## CPC - B63H 5/08: of more than one propeller - B63B 39/061: {by using trimflaps, i.e. flaps mounted on the rear of a boat, e.g. speed boat} - B63H 20/007: {Trolling propulsion units (trolling plates for slowing down B63H25/50; dynamo-electric machines of trolling units H02K)} - B63H 5/125: movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction {, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters}({outboard units or Z-drives B63H20/00; } movably mounted for steering purposes only, {rudders carrying propellers} B63H25/42) - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract A propulsion apparatus for coupling to the stern of a boat is provided having at least one afterplane attached to the stern. At least one motor is positioned onto each corresponding afterplane, where each motor has a propeller positioned above the top surface of the afterplane, such that the propeller does not extend substantially beyond the peripheral boundaries of the afterplane to protect the propeller. Each afterplane may be pivotally raised or lowered so that during operation of the motor, the axis of the propellers are parallel with the plane of the water for propelling the boat. The afterplanes may also be pivotally raised or lowered for planing the boat. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A secondary propulsion apparatus for use with a boat having a primary motor means, said apparatus comprising: at least one afterplane; means for coupling each said afterplane to the stern of said boat; at least one trolling motor, said at least one trolling motor being engaged independently of said main motor; means for mounting each said trolling motor to a top surface of each said afterplane so that each said trolling motor is positioned above the top surface of each said afterplane and such that each said trolling motor does not extend substantially beyond the peripheral boundaries of each said afterplane; and means for pivotally raising and lowering each said afterplane from an upper position whereby each said afterplane is substantially parallel to the surface of the water to a downward angled position for maintaining the boat in a plane position and whereby when each said afterplane is in the downward position either said at least one trolling motor of said secondary propulsion apparatus or said primary motor means may be engaged to pilot said boat. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said afterplane comprises a leading edge adapted to be coupled to said stern, a front end section having each said trolling motor positioned thereon, and a back end section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein each said afterplane has an elongated shape to provide greater protection of each said propeller and said back end section comprises a cut-out portion for permitting water flow therethrough to prevent cavitation of said water around each said afterplane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for pivotally raising and lowering the position of each said afterplane includes at least one hydraulic piston having a first end fixedly attached to the top surface of each said afterplane and a second end adapted to be fixedly attached to the stern of said boat. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for coupling includes a rotatable hinge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one afterplane comprises a first and second afterplane, said first and said second afterplanes adapted to be coupled at opposite ends of said stern. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The propulsion apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one trolling motor comprises a first and second trolling motor said first trolling motor positioned on said first afterplane and said second trolling motor positioned on said second afterplane and wherein said main motor means comprises a single screw motor positioned at the center of said stern. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The propulsion apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first and said second trolling motors may be independently operated for steering said boat. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one afterplane comprises first and second pairs of afterplanes, each pair adapted to be coupled at opposite ends of said stern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The propulsion apparatus of claim 9, wherein said at least one motor comprises a first and second pair of trolling motors each of said first pair of trolling motors positioned on each of said first pair of afterplanes and each of said second pair of trolling motors positioned on each of said second pair of afterplanes and wherein the main motor means comprises a main single screw motor positioned at the center of said stern. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The propulsion apparatus of claim 10, wherein each pair of trolling motors may be independently operated for steering said boat. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one afterplane comprises a single afterplane adapted to be coupled at the center of said stern. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for pivotally raising and lowering independently pivotally raises or lowers each said afterplane for planing and balancing said boat. ### Claim 14 A boat having a main motor means and having trolling capabilities, comprising: at least one afterplane; means for coupling each said afterplane to said stern; at least one trolling motor, each said trolling motor having a propeller means for mounting each said trolling motor to a top surface of each said afterplane such that each said propeller is positioned substantially above a top surface of each said afterplane and such that each said propeller does not extend substantially beyond the peripheral boundaries of each said afterplane; and means for pivotally raising and lowering each said afterplane whereby when each said afterplane is in a downward angled position for planing the boat the axis of each said propeller is substantially parallel with the surface of the water allowing for the engagement of either said main motor or each said trolling motor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The boat of claim 14, wherein each said afterplane comprises a leading edge coupled to said stern, a front end section having said trolling motor positioned thereon, and a back end section having a cut-out portion for permitting water flow therethrough to prevent cavitation of said water around each of said afterplane. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The boat of claim 14, wherein each said afterplane has an elongated shape to provide greater protection of said propeller. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The boat of claim 14, wherein said means for pivotally raising and lowering includes at least one hydraulic piston having one end fixedly attached to the top surface of each said afterplane and the other end fixedly attached to the stern of said boat. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The boat of claim 14, wherein said means for pivotally raising and lowering selectively lowers and raises each said afterplane between an upper position whereby each said afterplane is substantially parallel to the surface of the water during non-operation of each said trolling motor to the downward angled position for planing and balancing said boat or for the operation of each said trolling motor.