Patent ID: 7051826

Claim:
A surface effects skimmer comprising: a main hull suitable for carrying at least one human occupant and having: a bow of the main hull; a stern of the main hull; a port side of the main hull; a starboard side of the main hull; a centerline running between the bow and the stern; and a hull bottom defining a tunnel open to the stern; at least one rearward thrust for providing propulsion for the surface effects skimmer, and a downward air flow; wherein the downward air flow is directed into the tunnel to reduce drag between the hull bottom and an adjacent surface, and wherein the tunnel includes a bow end, and wherein a Deflector Air Gate (DAG) is pivotally attached to the hull bottom near the bow end of said tunnel, wherein the DAG pivots about a DAG axis orthogonal to the hull centerline and substantially on the hull bottom, and wherein the DAG axis is proximal to a bow most portion of the DAG.