Patent ID: 7950340
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A pontoon boat having an overall length of about 18 to about 32 feet comprising a deck, a central pontoon, two outer pontoons on respective opposite sides of said central pontoon, said deck extending above said central and said two outer pontoons, and a motor, wherein said central pontoon and said outer pontoons are of generally cylindrical configuration at least on their lower halves and further comprise planing elements, said central and outer pontoons supporting the entire weight of the boat and passengers by displacement when the boat is stationary and positioned in substantially fixed relationship with respect to each other such that said central pontoon extends below transversely adjacent portions of said outer pontoons by a distance of from two inches to eight inches for substantially the length of said central pontoon including at least a substantial portion of the central pontoon in the aft section of said boat to provide a V-shape to the overall cross-sectional configuration of said central and outer pontoons and to provide greater buoyancy in the central longitudinal part of said boat than at either of the outer longitudinal parts of said boat, and the displacement and planing characteristics of said central and outer pontoons are such that said central pontoon and at least one of said outer pontoons are always in displacement or planing contact with water during normal operation and said boat heels into turns, the width of said central pontoon is from about 20 to about 32 inches, the width of each of said outer pontoons is from about 23 to about 25 inches, and said motor is capable of causing said center and outer pontoons to plane during said normal operation.