Propulsion system for yachts, trawlers and the like

A propulsion system mounted in a hull of a marine vessel, wherein the marine vessel defines a waterline in relation to the surrounding water, comprising:

• a) at least two water intake openings defined in the hull below the waterline of the vessel;
• b) a collection chamber mounted within the hull;
• c) at least two water intake conduits extending from said water intake openings to said collection chamber;
• d) at least two water discharge openings defined in the stern of the hull;
• e) at least two water discharge conduits extending from said collection chamber to said water discharge openings;
• f) at least one impeller mounted in each of said discharge conduits;
• g) wherein said at least two water intake openings are adjacent the bow on the port and starboard portions of the hull;
• and,
• h) water intake cylinders mounted over said water intake openings, wherein said water intake cylinders define a plurality of smaller openings to allow water into said water intake openings while inhibiting the passage of solid objects.

A propulsion system mounted in a hull of a marine vessel, wherein the marine vessel defines a waterline in relation to the surrounding water, comprising:

• a) at least two water intake openings defined in the hull below the waterline of the vessel;
• b) a collection chamber mounted within the hull;
• c) at least two water intake conduits extending from said water intake openings to said collection chamber;
• d) at least two water discharge openings defined in the stem of the hull;
• e) at least two water discharge conduits extending from said collection chamber to said water discharge openings;
• f) at least one impeller mounted in each of said discharge conduits;
• and,
• g) wherein the cross-sectional area of each of said discharge conduits is reduced adjacent to each said impeller.

A propulsion system mounted in a hull of a marine vessel, wherein the marine vessel defines a waterline in relation to the surrounding water, comprising:

• a) at least two water intake openings defined in the hull below the waterline of the vessel;
• b) a collection chamber mounted within the hull;
• c) at least two water intake conduits extending from said water intake openings to said collection chamber;
• d) at least two water discharge openings defined in the stem of the hull;
• e) at least two water discharge conduits extending from said collection chamber to said water discharge openings;
• f) at least one impeller mounted in each of said discharge conduits;
• and,
• g) a discharge nozzle mounted to each said discharge opening.

A propulsion system mounted in a hull of a marine vessel, wherein the marine vessel defines a waterline in relation to the surrounding water, comprising:

• a) at least two water intake openings defined in the hull below the waterline of the vessel;
• b) a collection chamber mounted within the hull;
• c) at least two water intake conduits extending from said water intake openings to said collection chamber;
• d) at least two water discharge openings defined in the stern of the hull;
• e) at least two water discharge conduits extending from said collection chamber to said water discharge openings;
• f) at least one impeller mounted in each of said discharge conduits;
• and,
• g) side thrusters defined in the hull adjacent a stern of the hull on port and starboard sides of the hull, wherein said side thrusters are coupled to said discharge conduits.

A system for allowing access to an impeller portion of a propulsion system mounted within a marine vessel wherein the vessel defines a waterline surrounding the vessel, comprising:

• a) a conduit system mounted within a hull of the marine vessel below the level of the vessel's waterline and containing the impeller portion of the propulsion system;
• b) a conduit extension section diverging from said conduit system with a first end in open communication with said conduit system adjacent said impeller portion and an opposing end extending above the level of the vessel's waterline;
• and,
• c) a sealable hatch operably mounted to close said opposing end of said conduit extension.

A method of propelling a hull of a marine vessel, comprising the steps of:

• a) drawing water into a propulsion system through at least three intake openings defined in the hull below the waterline of the vessel;
• b) transporting the water to a collection chamber mounted within the hull;
• c) feeding water from said collection chamber into at least two impeller portions;
• and,
• d) discharging the water through openings defined in the stem of the hull.