Patent ID: 7128010
Filing Date: 2006-10-31
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A sailing yacht, comprising: a hull; a fore foil mounted on the hull for rotational movement about a fore axis and axial movement along the fore axis; and means for at least partially retracting the fore foil into the hull along the fore axis while underway, including a fore-foil-retracting assembly; wherein the fore-foil-retracting assembly includes a fore foil bushing assembly on the hull through which the fore foil extends moveably for axial movement of the fore foil along the fore axis relative to the fore foil bushing; wherein said fore foil bushing assembly is mounted rotatably on the hull for rotation with the fore foil about the fore axis so that partial retraction of the fore foil axially does not prevent rotation of the fore foil about the fore axis; wherein the fore foil bushing assembly includes means for allowing axial movement of the fore foil, said means including a tube and a fairing mounted rotatably within the tube such that the fairing bears against the fore foil in order to provide a seal while permitting axial movement of the fore foil; wherein the fore foil bushing assembly includes first and second bearings disposed intermediate the fairing and the tube, said first and second bearings being spaced apart from each other along a direction parallel to the fore axis; and wherein the fairing includes upper and lower bushing surfaces that bear against the fore foil, said upper and lower bushing surfaces being spaced apart from each other along a direction parallel to the fore axis.