Water sport towing apparatus and method

A method for towing a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a foredeck aft of the bow, a stern, opposing sides extending from the bow to the stern, and an operator station positioned amidships;
• fitting a first relatively rigid U-shaped support structure across the beam of the vessel, amidships, and extending substantially above the level of the operator station;
• rearwardly angling the first U-shaped structure;
• fitting a second relatively rigid U-shaped support structure to the sides and across the beam of the vessel, amidships, and extending substantially above the level of the operator station, the first U-shaped support structure forward of the second U-shaped structure with the operator station located in an area between fittings of the first and second U-shaped structures at the respective sides;
• attaching a plurality of longitudinally extending bars between the U-shaped support structures so that the first and second support structures form a skeletal frame extending above the operator station;
• attaching a tow rope to an upper portion of the skeletal frame;
• and
• operating the vessel in a body of water while towing the performer.

A towing apparatus for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement, the towing apparatus comprising:

• a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a stern and an operator station positioned amidships between opposing sides;
• a first relatively rigid vertical support structure fitted between the sides of the vessel at a point forward of the operator station;
• a second relatively rigid vertical support structure fitted between the sides of the vessel aft of the first relatively rigid vertical support structure;
• a generally horizontal bridging portion extending between upper portions of the first and second vertically extending support structures, at a height substantially above the level of the operator station;
• and
• a tow rope attached to the horizontally extending bridging portion for towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion while operating the vessel in a body of water.

A towing apparatus for a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the vessel having a bow, a stern, opposing sides extending from the bow to the stern, and an operator station located amidships between the opposing sides, the towing apparatus comprising:

• a first relatively rigid U-shaped support structure for fitting to the sides across the beam of the vessel at a point forward of the operator station and positioned amidships substantially above the level of the operator station;
• a second relatively rigid U-shaped support structure for fitting to the sides across the beam of the vessel and positioned amidships substantially above the level of the operator station;
• a plurality of bars extending between the U-shaped support structures so that the first and second U-shaped support structures in combination with the plurality of bars form a skeletal frame, and wherein the first U-shaped support structure is positioned forward of the second U-shaped support structure;
• and
• tow rope attaching means fitted to the upper portion of the skeletal frame for attaching a tow rope thereto.

A method for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a foredeck aft the bow, a stern, opposing sides extending from the bow to the stern, and an operator station positioned amidships between the bow and the stern, aft of the foredeck;
• attaching a rigid vertical bridging support structure at attachment points on each side of the vessel adjacent and substantially abeam the operator station, with a generally horizontal bridging portion of the vertical bridging support structure positioned substantially directly above the operator station;
• attaching a tow rope to the bridging portion;
• imparting sufficient structural strength to the vessel sides, the vertical bridging support structure, the horizontal bridging portion, and the attachment points so as to maintain structural integrity while transferring those rearward forces generated by towing the performer to the vessel sides;
• and
• operating the vessel in a body of water while towing the performer from the horizontal bridging portion.

A method for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a stern and an operator station between opposing sides;
• fitting a first relatively rigid vertical support structure to a first one of the sides substantially abeam the operator's station, and fitting a second relatively rigid vertical support structure to a second one of the sides substantially abeam the operator's station, and then extending an elevated, generally horizontal bridge portion between the first and second vertically extending support structures, at a height substantially above the operator station;
• attaching a tow rope to the horizontally extending bridging portion;
• and
• operating the vessel in a body of water while towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion.

A vessel and towing tower for permitting a towed performer to achieve improved aerial characteristics while transmitting rearward towing forces amidships to spaced sides of the vessel, comprising:

• a vessel having a bow, a stern, opposing sides extending between the bow and the stern, a vessel operator station located amidships between the bow and the stern and a windshield forward of the operator station, a first portion of the windshield extending laterally across the vessel between the opposing sides;
• a rigid towing tower including at least four spaced, generally vertically-extending legs, two of the legs comprising a forward leg pair, each leg of the forward leg pair removably attached to a corresponding side of the vessel at an attachment point forward of the laterally-extending first windshield portion, the other two legs comprising a rearward leg pair each of which is removably attached to a corresponding side of the vessel at an attachment point aft of the laterally-extending first windshield portion;
• an overhead tow structure fitted with and supported by the forward and rearward leg pairs substantially above the operator station, the overhead tow structure including lateral and longitudinal members forming a rigid overhead frame;
• a tow rope receiver fitted to an aft one of the lateral members of the overhead frame;
• and wherein
• the first and second leg pairs, the respective attachment points and the overhead tow structure are imparted with sufficient structural strength so as to maintain structural integrity while transferring rearward forces generated by towing the performer to the vessel's sides.