Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02566111 2006-10-30
SAILABLE MULTI-HULL VESSEL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to sailing vessels, and more particularly, to
sailable multi-hull vessels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sailing vessels of various designs have been widely utilized in the context of
pleasure craft, in the
context of the shipping of goods over a distance and as working and fishing
vessels, the particular
design of the vessel being directed toward the vessel's intended usage. By way
of example, in the
context of shipping bulky or heavy goods over a long distance, a single hull
vessel design may be
selected to maximize contiguous onboard storage space within the hull, and
which hull may have
a ballast keel extending below the hull for stability. The designs of this
type of vessel require a
compromise between the maximization of onboard storage space within the hull,
and the
minimization of the friction as the vessel passes through the water.
Furthermore, these vessels may
be susceptible to significant pitch and roll, particularly in strong winds and
stormy seas where wind
and waves combine to significantly impact the vessel's operation and
stability.
In the context of fishing, working and pleasure vessels, it is desirable to
have a stable vessel with a
wide hull for storage, equipment and living/passenger space, and which is
fast, comfortable and fuel-
efficient. Such a vessel could be readily adapted for use by the military,
Coast Guard, oil spill
recovery, police and ferry operators.
Accordingly, there is a need for a safe, stable, multi-hull, shallow draft,
comfortable vessel with a
wide hull for passenger and storage space, with fast, fuel-efficient and
environmentally friendly
characteristics. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills
this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sailable multi-
hull vessel with a
wide hull for storage, equipment and living/passenger space, and which is
fast, comfortable and
fuel-efficient.
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According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-
hull sailing vessel
comprising a main hull having a generally trawler-shaped configuration, at
least two amas
connected to the main hull, and at least one sail mounted to the main hull.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
multi-hull sailing vessel
comprising a main hull having a generally trawler-shaped configuration, at
least two amas hulls
connected to the main hull, at least one engine mounted to one of the at least
two amas hulls, and
at least one sail mounted to the main hull.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
multi-hull sailing
vessel comprising a main hull having a generally trawler-shaped configuration,
at least two amas
hulls connected to the main hull, at least one engine mounted to one of the at
least two amas
hulls, at least one mast mounted to the main hull and at least one sail
mounted to the at least one
mast.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
multi-hull sailing
vessel comprising a main hull having a generally trawler-shaped configuration,
at least two amas
hulls connected to the main hull, at least one engine mounted to one of the at
least amas hulls, at
least one mast mounted to the main hull, wherein, when the vessel is in a
sailing mode, the at
least one mast is mounted to the main hull in a substantially vertical
orientation, a boom is
connected to the at least one mast, the boom being connected in substantially
perpendicular
relationship to the at least one mast; and at least one sail mounted to the at
least one mast,
wherein the at least one mast is selectively rotatable about an axis and
movable from the
substantially vertical orientation, when the vessel is in the sailing mode, to
a substantially
horizontal orientation, when the at least one sail is not in use and is to be
stored.
The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved
sailable multi-hull vessel
with a wide hull for storage, equipment and living/passenger space, and which
is fast,
comfortable and fuel-efficient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with
reference to the
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accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the vessel of the present
invention;
Figure 1 A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the vessel of the
present
invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of the upper deck of one embodiment of the vessel of
the present
invention;
Figure 3 is a top view of the lower deck of one embodiment of the vessel of
the present
invention;
Figure 3A is a cutaway view of the lower deck of one embodiment of the vessel
of the
present invention;
Figure 4 is a three quarters side view, partly in ghost, of one embodiment of
the vessel of
the present invention;
Figure 4A is a three quarters side view, partly in ghost, of an alternative
embodiment of
the vessel of the present invention;
Figure 5 is an enlarged three-quarter angle view of a portion of the vessel of
one
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5A is a three quarters side view, partly in ghost, of an alternative
embodiment of
the vessel of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a view from below the vessel of one embodiment of the vessel of
the present
invention;
Figure 6A is a view from below the vessel of an alternative embodiment of the
vessel of
the present invention;
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Figure 6B is a view from below the vessel of a further alternative embodiment
of the
vessel of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view from below the vessel of one embodiment of the
vessel of
the present invention, illustrating an embodiment of a propeller and rudder
arrangement.
Figure 8 is a perspective view from one side of the vessel of one embodiment
of the
present invention, showing the sails in the unfurled position.
Figure 9 is a perspective view from one side of the vessel of one embodiment
of the
present invention, showing the sails in the unfurled position.
Figure l0A is a side view of one embodiment of an amas of the present
invention;
Figure l OB is a partial cross-sectional view of an amas of one embodiment of
the present
invention;
Figure 11 is a view of one embodiment of the vessel of the present invention
with the
amas removed;
Figure 12 is a partial cutaway view of one embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 13 is a partial cutaway view of an amas of one embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of an amas of one embodiment of the
present
invention, the section being taken at the machinery bulkhead.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figures 1, 4, 6, and 12 in a preferred embodiment, the vessel of
the present invention
has a main hull 2 and a pair of amas hulls 4, the main hull 2, in the
preferred embodiment, being
of a generally Cape Island trawler design of a length of approximately 60 feet
and which has been
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widened to a width of approximately 30 feet, it being understood that in
alternative embodiments
of the present invention, a variety of different main hull designs may be
utilized, as would be
understood by a person skilled in the art.
In the preferred embodiment, the amas hulls 4 are closely integrated with the
main hull, as
illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 6A, or
alternatively, may support
the main hull by means of one or more struts 6, such as illustrated in Figure
1A, Figure 3A,
Figure 4A, Figure 5A, Figure 6B, Figure 7, Figure 8, and Figure 9, as more
fully described
herein.
In the preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the main hul12 is made of
fiberglass, it being
understood that other materials such as carbon fiber, wood, or metal or other
construction
materials may alternatively be utilized in the construction of the main hull
2.
In normal operation, the amas hulls 4 are generally partially submerged in
water 14, as seen in
Figures 1 and 1 A, so that the buoyancy of each amas hull 4 provides an upward
force on the main
hull 2. In calm seas, the main hul12 is completely or very nearly completely
suspended out of the
water by the pair of amas hulls 4, while in moderate or heavy seas, the main
hull 2 will contact
the water, particularly as waves come into contact with the vessel.
In the preferred embodiment, the vessel may be powered by one or more engines
80 (preferably
located in the amas hulls as further described below) or by one or more sails
12, or both.
Referring to Figures 1, 1 A, 2, 8 and 9 in the preferred embodiment, two
independent masts 8 are
provided on the deck of the main hull in spaced relationship to one another.
Alternatively, a wide
variety of different sail arrangements may be provided as would be understood
by a person skilled
in the art. When in the sailing mode, the mast is supported in a substantially
vertical orientation by
rigging (generally represented as the line 16, it being understood that
appropriate rigging would be
utilized as needed) in a manner known to a person skilled in the art, a boom
10 being attached to
each mast 8 to secure and orient the sail 12 relative to the vessel. In the
preferred embodiment, the
boom 10 is enlarged and adapted to permit the sails 12 to be furled and stored
within a sail storage
area within the boom 10 structure.
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In one embodiment, when the sails are not in use and have been stored within
the boom storage
area, the masts may be rotated about an axis 17 from a substantially vertical
orientation 8 as
shown in Figures 1 and 1A, to a substantially horizontal orientation 18 as
shown in the outline
view of Figures 1 and 1 A and in the view of Figure 2.
In the preferred embodiment, and as seen in Figure l0A and Figure 12, a
compartment 91 is
provided for a diesel or other marine engine 80 within each of the amas hulls
4 to provide motive
power (by means of a drive shaft 74 and propeller 76) and electrical power (by
means of a
generator or alternator, not shown) to the vessel. In the preferred
embodiment, by means of
hydraulic lines, electric lines or cables, the diesel or other marine engines
80 may be started,
controlled and stopped from the wheelhouse 28 located on the main hull 2.
As illustrated in Figures 1, 4, 5, 6, and 6A, in the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, a
pair of amas hulls 4, such as illustrated in Figure 10A, Figure IOB, Figure
12, Figure 13 and
Figure 14 are securely attached, in spaced relationship to one another, to the
main hull by
fiberglass, epoxy, glue or other chemical adhesive, or by suitable mechanical
fasteners known to a
person skilled in the art. In an alternative embodiment, multiple struts 6
with a hollow passageway
therein are utilized to securely attach the amas hulls 4 to the main hull 2,
as illustrated in Figure
lA, Figure 3A, Figure 4A, Figure 5A, Figure 6B, Figure 7, Figure 8, and Figure
9. In this latter
embodiment, the struts 6 are preferably fabricated from fibreglass or other
suitable material, the
struts 6 providing a structural and watertight connection between each of the
amas hulls 4 and the
main hull 2.
As illustrated in Figure I OA and Figure 13, the amas provides a sleek profile
adapted to move
easily through the water. As illustrated in Figure l OB, Figure 12 and Figure
13, the amas is
preferably divided into separate watertight compartments 90 (Lazarette
compartment) 91 (for
engine 80 and other machinery), 92 (for fuel tanks 92A, water tanks 92B and
other liquid tanks),
93 (supplementary storage), 94 (collision space) with watertight bulkheads 95
(Lazarette
bulkhead), 96 (machinery bulkhead), 97 (main bulkhead) and 98 (collision
bulkhead), it being
understood that various different bulkhead and space/compartment arrangements
may be utilized
in different embodiments of the amas.
In a preferred embodiment, a passageway 100 between the amas hulls 4 and the
main hu112 is
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provided so that personnel and electrical, hydraulic, fluid, cables, and other
lines may pass
between the main hull 2 and the amas hulls 4, for example, for the purposes of
controlling the
rudder 78 and engines 80 positioned within the amas hulls 4, and providing
electrical power from
generators (not shown) located within the amas, to the main hull and for
transporting fuel, and
other materials between the main hull and the amas hull.
In addition, in the preferred embodiment, as closed circuit camera and fire
and smoke detection
equipment (not shown) is preferably utilized to monitor and control the
engines positioned in the
amas hulls 4, suitable communication lines may pass through the passageway 100
to the main hull
2 to the helm area 26 located in the wheelhouse 28.
In an alternative embodiment, where struts are utilized to connect the amas to
the main hull, the
struts are hollow, and provide a passageway between the main hull and the amas
hull for the
passage of electrical, hydraulic, fluid, cables, and other lines.
In the preferred embodiment, referring to Figures 10, 10A and 14, each of the
amas hulls has an
upper hull 5 and a lower 7 hull, the upper hull 5 and lower hull 7 being
securely fastened to one
another by fibreglass or another suitable material to provide a structurally
solid, secure and water-
tight connection between the upper 5 and lower hulls 7.
In the preferred embodiment, and as seen in Figure 4, the upper hull 5 of each
amas extends
rearwardly to a generally square-back stern 70 at a position near the stern of
the main hull 2 (the
lowered rear deck 40 extends a short distance beyond the generally square-back
stern 70 of the
upper hull 5 of the amas to allow easy access between the lowered rear deck 40
and, for example,
a dock). The lower hull 7 of each amas extends rearwardly beneath the forward
portion of the
upper hull 5, and has a streamlined aft portion 72, through which a propeller
shaft 74 extends to
drive a propeller 76, as seen in Figures 1, 7, 10A, I OB and 12. In a
preferred embodiment, a
rudder 78 is positioned aft of the propeller 76, being pivotably attached to
the underside 80 of the
upper hull 6 of each amas as illustrated in Figure 1, 7, 10A, lOB and 12. In
the preferred
embodiment, the rudders 78 are controlled from the helm area by means of
hydraulic lines,
electric lines or cables. A wide variety of different amas hull configurations
may be utilized in the
context of the present invention.
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Referring to Figure 11, the underside of the main hull of the preferred
embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated, with the amas hulls removed, each side of the main
hull 2 having a recess
103 therein shaped to closely conform with the outer surface of the amas hull
4.
In the preferred embodiment, each amas is approximately 64 feet in length and
5 feet in width (at
its widest point) providing a very narrow and streamlined profile to the water
through which it
passes. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, various
different amas hull
dimensions may be utilized in the context of the present invention.
Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 3A, a wide variety of different interior and
exterior layouts may be
utilized aboard this vessel, those shown in Figures 2, 3 and 3A representing
one possible
arrangement of a six - eight passenger pleasure vessel, it being understood
that this vessel may be
adapted for use in a wide variety of implementations.
Referring specifically to the layout shown in Figures 2, 3, and 3A, Figure 2
provides a top view of
one embodiment of a typical layout of the upper deck of one embodiment of the
vessel of the
present invention, having a lowered foredeck 20, with a short set of stairs 22
to a mid-deck 24, an
enclosed helm area 26 or wheelhouse 28 (also enclosing stairs 32 to the lower
deck 36 and for
example, storage or washroom facilities 34), and an after deck 30, which is
accessible from the
wheelhouse 28 by means of a door or passageway 31.
Figures 3 and 3A provide a top view of one embodiment of a typical layout of
the lower deck of
the vessel of the present invention, having in this embodiment, four bedrooms
42 each having a
pair of beds 46, bathroom facilities 44 and storage areas 47. A dining area
with a dining room
table 48, a furnished lounge area 56, a bar 57 and a galley 50 fitted with a
stove 54, sink 52 and
various galley equipment and storage areas are also provided.
A lowered rear deck 40 which is accessible from the lower deck 36 by way of a
door or
passageway 58 provides easy access to the surface of the water (for example,
as a swimming
platform), or to a dock (for loading and unloading cargo and passengers). It
is understood that a
wide variety of different layouts and equipment may be incorporated into the
vessel of the present
invention.
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While the vessel described herein has been described in the context of a six-
eight passenger
pleasure craft, this vessel may be readily adapted for use as a fishing
vessel, transport vessel or for
use by the military, Coast Guard, police, ferry operators and for other tasks.
The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred
embodiments. However,
it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations
and modifications can be
made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.
