Patent ID: 6666159
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A method for towing a wakeboard performer across a body of water, the method comprising the steps of:providing a towing vessel having a forward bow, and aft stern, opposing starboard and port gunwales and an operator's station between the gunwales; fitting a skeletal towing frame to the vessel for supporting an elevated tow rope attachment point substantially above the vessel, the skeletal towing frame fitting step including: (a) attaching a first, generally vertical support to the starboard gunwale; (b) attaching a second, generally vertical support to the port gunwale; (c) providing the first and second supports with sufficient length so that the vertical extremities thereof extend substantially above the vessel; (d) attaching a third support with the vessel forward of the first and second supports, with the third support extending upwardly and aft; (e) spacing the third support from the first and second supports a sufficient distance to impart stability to the skeletal towing structure; (f) providing means for coupling the upper portions of the first, second and third supports with a generally horizontal bridging portion; fitting the tow rope attachment point with the bridging portion extending aft toward the stern and at a location generally positioned vertically above a level of the operator's station in an area of the vessel centrally located between the bow and the stern; and towing the wakeboard performer with the towing vessel by a tow rope attached to the tow rope attachment point.