Patent ID: 7841285
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A vessel for traveling on water, comprising: a hull; and a keel comprising a member depending from the hull, the member comprising two limbs each depending from a respective lateral side of the hull, the two limbs defining at least in part an enclosed flow path extending in a bow-to-stern direction, the enclosed flow path being configured to allow water incident on the vessel to flow over inner and outer surfaces of the two limbs, wherein the two limbs each have a foil surface which is angled to generate in use a component of hydrodynamic force directed outwardly from the enclosed flow path when there is a net flow of water incident in the bow-to-stern direction, each limb having a forward edge and a rearward edge, the inner and outer surfaces extending between the forward and rearward edges, wherein each of the inner and outer surfaces is continuous over its entire length between the forward and rearward edges, and wherein the keel further comprises a ballast bulb disposed at a lowest part of the keel.