Patent ID: 8240268

Claim:
A high-performance watercraft comprising: a V-shaped planing hull having a port side, a starboard side, a forward hull portion and a first step defined at an aft end of the forward hull portion, the first step demarcating a first stepped hull portion that is offset from the forward hull portion; a first ram air fin fixed to the hull port side, the first ram air fin having a leading edge disposed forward of the first step, wherein the first ram air fin extends from above the first step at least to the first stepped hull portion; and a second ram air fin fixed to the hull starboard side, the second ram air fin having a leading edge disposed forward of the first step, wherein the second ram air fin extends from above the first step at least to the first stepped hull portion; wherein the first and second ram air fins each define an outboard channel, and further wherein during planing operation of the watercraft the first and second ram air fins are inclined from level such that air entering the outboard channels is aerodynamically pressurized; and wherein each of the first and second ram air fins comprise a first leg extending outwardly from the hull and a second leg extending downwardly froth the first leg.