Surf wake system and method for a watercraft
AssigneeMalibu Boats, LLC
InventorDaniel Lee Gasper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wake modifying system for modifying a wake produced by a watercraft traveling through water may include a rudder pivotally mounted to the watercraft for steering the watercraft, a fin pivotally mounted to the watercraft substantially along a centerline of the watercraft and forward the rudder, wherein the fin pivots about an upright axis to modify the wake produced by the watercraft traveling through the water, an actuator mounted within the watercraft and operably coupled to the fin for pivoting the fin relative to the centerline, and a controller mounted on the watercraft allowing an operator to control the actuator and selectively pivot the fin to a desired angle θd relative to the centerline.
Claims16
An inboard water-sports boat configured to produce a wake suitable for wake surfing, the inboard water-sports boat comprising:
- a hull configured to produce a wake when the hull moves through water, said hull housing an engine and a ballast system;
- at least one pivotable fin disposed on an underside centerline of the hull, wherein the fin pivots about a substantially vertical axis between a neutral position, a first engaged position configured to produce a first wake modification, and a second engaged position configured to produce a second wake modification;
- a user interface configured to receive user input;
- at least one actuator responsive to the user input received by the user interface to pivot the at least one fin between the neutral position, the first engaged position, and the second engaged position;
- and
- a rudder configured to, when desired, counter course alterations caused by the at least one fin in the first engaged position or in the second engaged position to track the inboard water-sports boat in a straight line through the water.
An inboard water-sports boat for wake surfing, the inboard water-sports boat comprising:
- a hull housing an engine and a ballast system;
- a propeller positioned under the hull and responsive to the engine to move the hull forward through water to produce a wake having a right wave and a left wave;
- at least one fin movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the inboard water-sports boat is configured to enhance the right wave for wake surfing on a right side of the inboard water-sports boat when the inboard water-sports boat moves through water with the at least one fin in the first position, and wherein the inboard water-sports boat is configured to enhance the left wave for wake surfing on a left side of the inboard water-sports boat when the inboard water-sports boat moves through water with the at least one fin in the second position;
- and
- a rudder for, when desired, tracking the inboard water-sports boat in a substantially straight path as the inboard water-sports boat moves through water with the at least one fin in the first position or the second position to enhance the right wave or left wave without significant leaning of the inboard water-sports boat to a side;
- wherein the at least one fin is disposed on a centerline of the inboard water-sports boat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.