Patent ID: 6314903
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: B63B,F05B

Abstract:
A watercraft comprising:a first hull having a fore end, an aft end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the fore end and the aft end;a displacement body portion of the first hull that extends between the fore end and the aft end, the displacement body having a static waterline, a port side, and a starboard side;a first channel-defining structure portion of the first hull that is located on an outboard side of the displacement body, including a first wing structure extending laterally from the outboard side of the displacement body above the static waterline and a first outer skirt structure that extends downwardly from the first wing structure to below the static waterline in spaced apart relationship to the displacement body, said first outer skirt structure having an outer surface that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the static waterline and said first channel-defining structure defining a first channel with a cross-sectional surface that is generally arcuate; anda second channel-defining structure portion of the first hull that is located on an inboard side of the displacement body, including a second wing structure extending laterally from the inboard side of the displacement body above the static waterline and a second outer skirt structure extending perpendicularly downwardly from the second wing structure to below the static waterline in spaced apart relationship to the displacement body, said second outer skirt structure having an outer surface that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the static waterline and said second channel-defining structure defining a second channel with a cross-sectional surface that is generally arcuate;the first and second channels extending from the fore end to the aft end of the first hull and the first and second channels being adapted to capture a bow wave and to cause air and water to mix and spiral toward the aft end of the first hull as compressed aerated water, thereby reducing friction drag, increasing lateral stability, and dampening transmission of bow wave energy at the aft end of the first hull; anda second hull that is similar to the first hull, the second hull being connected to the first hull to form a multi-hull watercraft and the second hull defining third and fourth channels similar to the first and second channels, said third and fourth channels being adapted to capture a bow wave and to cause air and water to mix and spiral toward an aft end of the second hull as compressed aerated water in order to thereby reduce friction drag, increasing lateral stability, and dampening, transmission of bow wave energy at the aft end of the second hull.