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US 7,513,204 B2Granted
Fin stabilizer to reduce roll for boats in turns method and apparatus
AssigneeAluminum Chambered Boats, Inc.
InventorsWilliam L. Hickok, Mark R. Morgan, Richard M Benson, Michael A. Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a fin stabilization system adapted to minimize roll about the longitudinal axis of the boat during sharp cornering at very high speeds. In one form, equipment such as a machine gun is mounted to the bow of the boat and targets are adapted to be engaged in high-speed maneuvers when cornering and the deck of the boat is not excessively rolled whereby blocking visibility in a turn.
Claims14
A watercraft stabilization system to reduce roll in a turn, comprising:
- a hull having a transom and a substantially V-shaped lower planing surface flanked by substantially vertical sidewalls, a lower edge of the transom being contiguous with the lower planing surface;
- a fin stabilization system comprising a pair of fins each having front and rear edges, the fins being rigidly and non-adjustably attached to the lower planing surface of the hull, wherein the fins are confined within a longitudinally rear one-third portion and transversely outer one-third portions of the hull, the rear edges of the fins being positioned substantially forwardly of the transom to create a gap region between the rear edges of the fins and the lower edge of the transom,
- whereby the fin stabilization system is configured to maintain the roll of the watercraft about the longitudinal axis to within 20 degrees of a horizontal plane when the watercraft is negotiating a sharp turn in excess of speeds of 35 mph.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.