Patent ID: 6058872
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A boat capable of sustained, stable travel through water at speeds greater than 50 knots, said boat comprising:(a) a plurality of substantially parallel catamaran hulls, wherein the space between two adjacent said hulls forms a channel on the surface of the water;(b) a superstructure connected to and supported by said hulls, wherein forward motion of said boat produces aerodynamic lift on said superstructure through the wing in ground effect, the aerodynamic lift being at least about thirty percent of the weight of said boat; and(c) a plurality of hydrofoils substantially perpendicular to and underneath said hulls, connecting said hulls to one another; wherein forward motion of said boat produces hydrodynamic lift on said hydrofoils; and wherein said hydrofoils substantially damp out any wave that would be produced in each channel by said hulls in the absence of said hydrofoils; whereby the height of the surface of the water in each channel is substantially constant; whereby the substantially constant height of the water in each channel results in stable aerodynamic lift on said superstructure through the wing in ground effect; and whereby the height of said boat above the water at a particular speed is self-stabilizing, in that a lowering of said boat increases the aerodynamic lift on said superstructure through the wing in ground effect, and a raising of said boat decreases the aerodynamic lift on said superstructure through the wing in ground effect.