UNE EMBARCATION DE PECHE TRIMARAN PLATE POUR UNE PERSONNE COMPRENANT DES POSTES DE MANOEUVRE DOUBLES ET UN SYSTEME D'ANCRAGE DOUBLE

A TRIMARAN SINGLE-PERSON FLAT WATER FISHING CRAFT COMPRISING DUAL OPERATING STATIONS AND A DOUBLE ANCHORING SYSTEM

Abrégé anglais

Current unpowered, single person watercraft in use for the purpose of lake
fishing suffer from a number of design characteristics which cause one or more
problems. These problems have been addresses in various ways that ultimately
leave a number of issues unaddressed in previous craft.
Issues include:
1. Many are too heavy to be dealt with easily by many elderly, young, or small
in stature users without expensive accessories.
2. Poor tracking in windy conditions is a persistent issue.
3. Fisher persons value the ability to stand up, both for casting and better
vision below the water's surface. Many previous craft either ignore this or
give up payload capability, lightness of weight, speed, or hydrodynamic
principles to accomplish this.
4. Many previous craft, in particular those which are light and unpowered
compromise comfort to facilitate portability and perceived lower cost. This
may be the result of seat type and position as well as the need to dangle
flippered feet in the water.
5. Stealth (important in fishing), a function of glide, is sacrificed in
previous flat
boats and some inflatable boats to enable greater lateral stability. These
boats often slap the waves and create loud sounds.
6. The ability to stay put, in a non-drifting position in some types of lake
fishing
is highly valued. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is double,
vertical anchoring. The design of many previous single person fishing boats
is too short to accomplish this effectively.
7. A major issue in small, unpowered, slow moving boats is safety. One of the
major safety issues arises when weather conditions change suddenly. Many
operators of previous small, single-person, unpowered fishing craft have
been caught unaware and unable to easily get back to a safe landing site in
non-sea worthy, non-hydrodynamic, slow moving and poorly tracking craft.
The present inventions uses a number of both overall design innovations unique
to the craft here considered, and some unique specific details to address the
above issues as well as improve on some other common boat details in an
elegant and simple manner.
ADDRESSING #1
This present invention is designed to present minimal problems for transport.
All
the rigging which stays on the boat permanently is mounted BELOW the
gunwales so that the boat can be slid onto a roof rack in the same way as a
regular canoe. For example, outriggers on small boats such as canoes and
kayaks are not unknown. However, the booms that secure an outrigger float to
the hull tend to extend above the gunwales of the boat as these booms are

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generally secured across and over the gunwales. Also, non-inflated fishing
boats
that can be put on a roof rack in some fashion are tend to be much heavier
than
the present invention as fabrication with Kevlar is either virtually
impossible
(fishing kayak) or impractical due to expense (Jon boat). Pontoon boats can be
light as well but have major limitations related to performance (speed,
tracking,
anchoring, comfort, safety) compared to the present invention. Furthermore, it
is
easy to carry 2 of these boats on the roof of a regular vehicle ... almost
impossible with other fishing boats. The piercings for the outrigger float
booms
are reinforced to relieve stresses in the composite material of the hull by
applying
a reinforcing plate around the piercings. The reinforcing plate is both
adhered
and secured using screws. The reinforcing plate is preferably of a lightweight
material such as aluminum but may also be a built up pad of resin impregnated
fibre such as kevlar or glass fibre. Similarly, the rigger beam that supports
the
oarlocks on the present invention pass through the hull as described above.
The hull of the present invention is 14' 2" and made from lightweight kevlar
and
resin. The bare hull weighs 30 lb., with semi-permanent rigging attached it
weighs 40 lb. This is below the 50-60 lbs that an adult can generally safely
lift
alone. This means that the hull and the rigging that may remain attached
thereto
can be easily lifted from the water and placed on a roof rack of a car.
Furthermore, the beam of the boat is 34" and 2 of these can be placed side by
side on a typical roof rack system. The boat of the present invention is
intended
to be somewhat modular in that the seat, pontoons, oarlocks, anchor reels, and
rigger booms may be removed from the boat with relative ease. This permits
structures that may extend above or laterally from the gunwales of the boat,
or,
weight that is present unnecessarily during transport, to be readily removed
so
the boat can be more easily transported. This also allows for easy repair or
replacement should a component of the boat be damaged or lost.
ADDRESSING #1, 3, 5, 6, & 7
Using a 14' 2" ultra light canoe hull as the central hull of the present
invention
allows for a number of substantial advantages that are key aspects of the
boat.
1) The canoe shape is inherently hydrodynamic. It cuts and glides. The lighter
it
is the less force is needed to propel it. These characteristics are inherently
desirable, but only by adding features described throughout this document
( which maximize both roll stability and tracking stability) can this be taken
advantage of while at the same time maximizing fishing functionality. This is
primarily accomplished by adding pontoon outriggers and oars incorporating
outriggers, and having them strategically placed. These features are mainly
what
makes the present invention fast, powerful and stable

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2) The relative substantial length of the boat along with substantial
freeboard
(unlike a pontoon boat or fishing kayak) allows much greater cargo capacity
than
any other unpowered single person boat that can match the current invention in
lightness, speed, and seaworthiness. This length also enables a number of
other
unique features of the Chironomid:
3) Having the anchors 14' apart maximizes the stability of the 2
anchor/vertical
anchoring approach of many stillwater fly fisher persons. Where used for fly
fishing, one may wish to position the boat relative to a feature where fish
are
likely to congregate. Similarly, where one uses the boat of the present
invention
for shooting, one may wish to remain in place behind a blind or obscuring
foliage.
In this case it is desirable to include both fore and aft anchors that can be
used to
secure the boat in location with a specific angular orientation. And, as it
can be
difficult to access and operate anchors at the bow and stern of a craft, it is
preferable for the lines that secure the anchors to be routed to winches
positioned adjacent the seat of the craft. In this way, the anchors of the
craft can
be deployed without needed to move to the bow or stern. The boat employs a
unique built-in double anchor reel mounting system that "snaps" anchor reels
into
place in 2 seconds with one hand and has a unique flip lock located on the
mount
which engages the reel itself.
4) It enables the simple and unique 4 rod-horizontal-holder system which
allows
casting without having vertical rods in traditional rod holders blocking back
casts.
The unique rod holding system of the present invention can also stay on the
boat
permanently while adding virtually no weight AND with a simple flip, be below
the
gunwales for loading on roof racks.
5) Having this amount of length allows the outboard and inboard rigging to be
entirely located in the stern of the boat. This enables the boat to be set up
with a
swivel seat near the centre of the boat allowing room for the pilot to be able
to
swing around facing the stern while rowing and facing the bow while anchored
for
still fishing, still leaving substantial room for gear and foot room plus
having a
relatively clear space to prevent tangles and encumbrances in the bow
(casting)
end. Because of the light weight, hydrodynamic hull, long spoon oars that
propel
by rowing like a racing scull, and the stability and tracking characteristics
of the
Chironomid this boat dramatically decreases the need for a motor, battery,
battery charger and, with heavier boats, the need for a hydraulic lifter or
trailer as
well.
ADDRESSING #2 & 3

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This pivot point between 2 "work stations" (so to speak) is unique among one
person fishing boats. This unique design contributes to another key feature of
the
current invention.
6) Having the 2 outriggers in the stern end also increases the resistance to
tracking swing (so common and problematic in a standard canoe for example).
Technically this is accomplished by effectively increasing the swing radius
(hence resistance) with respect to the horizontal plane's fulcrum and centre
of
gravity, which, on the horizontal plane, is located at the centre point of the
hull
where the fisherman sits or stands. This allows the 2 outrigger pontoons to
act
like a sailboat keel in some respects, while at the same time affording the
Chironomid high "initial" stability (allowing maximum standing freedom) due to
the wide stance of the pontoons (7.5 feet). This wide stance is possible
BECAUSE the stern mounting of the pontoons allows sufficient clearance for the
7.5' spoon oars.
ADDRESSING #3 & 4
High initial stability (describes above) allows the seat to be high relative
to the
norm in many previous craft, and much higher than any standard canoe, almost
as high as a kitchen chair (the seat of the boat is 16" high), but more
comfortable
as it is padded as well. The lake fishermen demographic comprises an older
cohort than other types of fishing. 50 to 70 year olds who spend up to 10 hrs
at a
stretch on the water need the comfort that this affords. This height
facilitates ease
of standing without additional supports or undue exertion and allows dynamic
motion. Having the seat at this height facilitates a position that puts the
knees at
approximately a 45 degree angle. Technical studies have shown this to be an
optimum ergonomic position when engaged in activity that is active and
occasioned by both sitting and standing. The boat has 40 lb. of added
flotation in
each pontoon. This added stability, though not making the boat capsize proof,
enables an average user to displace their upright centre of gravity within a
range
of movement of approximately 2 feet side to side. This is a good compromise
against size, weight, and drag. [Once a pontoon is submerged the centre of
gravity immediately passes the centre of buoyancy.] Another benefit to the
presence of outrigger pontoons in the present invention is that the increased
stability of the hull prevents water from entering the hull through the
piercings.
Because the boat does not tip to any significant degree, the piercings, placed
high up on the side of the hull near the gunwale, do not ship water. Of
course,
waves might cause water to enter the piercings but these conditions are not
likely
to be experienced under normal conditions.
ADDRESSING #1 & 6

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In previous craft anchor deployment systems are treated as after market
accessories. Often involving a cam cleat and pulley wheel they are mounted
above the gunwale. In the present invention anchor line slides of stainless
steel
and aluminum guide posts are permanently installed on the bow and stern deck
plates. The slide and guides actually double as bow and stern point protection
from rocks and gravel while loading and unloading. No additional accessory is
need, and this system does not impede the the boat from being easily slid
along
the rails of a roof rack while loading.

Revendications

1
CLAIMS
l claim:
A) The watercraft as shown and described.
B) A single person watercraft for fishing, hunting or similar sporting
activities on flat water comprising:
1. a 7.5' wide trimaran stance with a central streamlined main hull which
is pierced below the gunwales allowing horizontal beams to protrude
through the hull to affix rigging of oar and pontoon outriggers; and of
34" beam with a fore and aft built in anchor system including anchor
line through a slide on the deck plate.
2. 3 hulls, oars, oar outriggers, anchor line reels, horizontal sculpted
foam rod mounts, booms and pontoons that can to assembled and
disassembled in 5 minutes leaving a central portion weighing 40 lb. that
can slide back and forth easily on almost any standard roof rack.
3. a configuration that has all the operational rigging which is attached
to
the main hull (except the bow anchor line) located in the stern half of the
craft.
4. 2 distinct operating positions: a) rowing and operating anchor reels,
facing the stern; and b) fishing from a standing or sitting position facing
the bow, the 2 operating positions separated by a swivel-mounted raised
seat in the approximate middle of the main hull.
5. a central, main hull containing 2 side-mounted anchor line reels held
in place by a quick-release toggle.
6. all mounting components, which are permanently attached to the
main hull, being affixed below the gunwale line.
7. an anchor line guide system on the bow and stern hull points that
employs no moving parts at the juncture where the line must change
direction from horizontal to vertical.
8. mounting components, which are permanently attached to the main
hull, being affixed below the gunwale line; and a configuration that has all
the operational rigging which is attached to the main hull (except the bow
anchor line) located in the stern half of the craft.
9. mounting components, which are permanently attached to the main
hull, being affixed below the gunwale line; and a configuration that has all
the operational rigging which is attached to the main hull (except the bow
anchor line) located in the stern half of the craft; and having 2 distinct

2
operating positions: a) rowing and operating anchor reels, facing the stern;
and b) fishing from a standing or sitting position facing the bow, the 2
operating positions separated by a swivel-mounted raised seat in the
approximate middle of the main hull.
10.
mounting components, which are permanently attached to the main
hull, being affixed below the gunwale line; and a configuration that has all
the operational rigging which is attached to the main hull (except the bow
anchor line) located in the stern half of the craft; and having 2 distinct
operating positions: a) rowing and operating anchor reels, facing the stern;
and b) fishing from a standing or sitting position facing the bow, the 2
operating positions separated by a swivel-mounted raised seat in the
approximate middle of the main hull; and having 3 hulls, oars, oar
outriggers, anchor line reels, horizontal sculpted foam rod mounts, booms
and pontoons that can to assembled and disassembled in 5 minutes
leaving a central portion weighing 40 lb. that can slide back on forth easily
on almost any standard roof rack.
11. mounting components, which are permanently attached to the main
hull, being affixed below the gunwale line; and a configuration that has all
the operational rigging which is attached to the main hull (except the bow
anchor line) located in the stern half of the craft; and having 2 distinct
operating positions: a) rowing and operating anchor reels, facing the stern;
and b) fishing from a standing or sitting position facing the bow, the 2
operating positions separated by a swivel-mounted raised seat in the
approximate middle of the main hull; and having 3 hulls, oars, oar
outriggers, anchor line reels, horizontal sculpted foam rod mounts, booms
and pontoons that can to assembled and disassembled in 5 minutes
leaving a central portion weighing 40 lb. that can slide back and forth
easily on almost any standard roof rack; and having a 7.5' wide trimaran
stance while having a streamlined main hull of Kevlar which is pierced
below the gunwales allowing horizontal beams to protrude through the hull
to affix rigging of oar and pontoon outriggers, and of 34" beam.
12. a 7.5' wide trimaran stance with a central streamlined main hull which
is pierced below the gunwales allowing horizontal beams to protrude
through the hull to affix rigging of oar and pontoon outriggers; and of 34"
beam with fore and aft built in anchor system including anchor line through
a slide on the deck plate; a configuration that has all the operational
rigging which is attached to the main hull (except the bow anchor line)
located in the stern half of the craft; and having 2 distinct operating
positions: a) rowing and operating anchor reels, facing the stern; and b)
fishing from a standing or sitting position facing the bow, the 2 operating

3
positions separated by a swivel-mounted raised seat in the approximate
middle of the main hull; and a horizontal sculpted foam rod holding
system.
13. a 7.5' wide trimaran stance with a central streamlined main hull which
is pierced below the gunwales allowing horizontal beams to protrude
through the hull to affix rigging of oar and pontoon outriggers; and of 34"
beam with fore and aft built in anchor system including anchor line through
a slide on the deck plate; a configuration that has all the operational
rigging which is attached to the main hull (except the bow anchor line)
located in the stern half of the craft; and having 2 distinct operating
positions: a) rowing and operating anchor reels, facing the stern; and b)
fishing from a standing or sitting position, facing the bow, the 2 operating
positions separated by a swivel-mounted raised seat in the approximate
middle of the main hull; and the main hull containing 2 side-mounted
anchor line reels held in place by a quick-release toggle adjacent a seat in
the amidships portion of the watercraft such that a user of the watercraft
may raise, lower, or adjust the respective anchors without having to leave
the amidships portion of the craft.
14. a 7.5' wide trimaran stance with a central streamlined main hull which
is pierced below the gunwales allowing horizontal beams to protrude
through the hull to affix rigging of oar and pontoon outriggers; and of 34"
beam with fore and aft built in anchor system including anchor line through
a slide on the deck plate; a configuration that has all the operational
rigging which is attached to the main hull (except the bow anchor line)
located in the stern half of the craft; and having 2 distinct operating
positions: a) rowing and operating anchor reels, facing the stern; and b)
fishing from a standing or sitting position, facing the bow, the 2 operating
positions separated by a swivel-mounted raised seat in the approximate
middle of the main hull; and the main hull containing 2 side-mounted
anchor line reels held in place by a quick-release toggle adjacent a seat in
the amidships portion of the watercraft such that a user of the watercraft
may raise, lower, or adjust the respective anchors without having to leave
the amidships portion of the craft; and having an anchor line guide system
on the bow and stern hull points that employs no moving parts at the
juncture where the line must change direction from horizontal to vertical;
and a horizontal sculpted foam rod holding system.

Description

1
ELEMENTS
The boat of the present invention is divided into 11 components displayed in
Fig.
1 - Top View and Fig.2 - Side View.
1. Seat - A padded swivel seat affixed to a horizontal aluminum extrusion
comprised of 3 channels and affixed to aluminum angles which are, in turn,
affixed to the aluminum gunwales approximately 2" astern of the beam of
the main hull. The horizontal aluminum support extrusion is adjustable in as
much as it can be moved 2 inches towards the bow or stern to
accommodate the reach of individual rowers. The seat surface is level and
approximately 16" above the floor of the hull.
2. Pontoons - The pontoons are of roto-molded high density polyethylene, 40"
in length, providing 40Ib. of buoyancy each, attached by means of a clevis
pin to a 3/4" aluminum tube, which, in turn, pierces a aluminum clamping
bracket inserted into a rectangular aluminum arm which, in turn, slides out
from a larger aluminum tube, telescoping style, which comprises the boom
across the main hull. No claim is made for the pontoons which are in the
public domain. What is unique to the present design is the method by which
the cross boom, or receiving tube is attached below the gunwales and
through the hull, the distance they are affixed from the stern, and the
distance between the pontoons. These details are key to the overall design
of the boat as described above.
3. The pontoon receiver tube is located 34" from the stern. The boom puts the
pontoons 7.5' apart. These dimensions maximize the boats initial horizontal
stability (minimal initial sway) by giving the boat a wide stance. This is
possible because the pontoon's distance from the our locks is maximized for
clearance of 7.5 foot oars. These dimensions maximize angular stability
(tracking) by maximizing the pivot point (pilot) radius of the outriggers, in
effect creating more drag on the hulls ability to rotate about it's fulcrum.
These dimension are key and unique to the present invention.
4. The oars are 7.5 foot spoon bladed oars with a fulcrum (close to grip
point)
designed to minimize torque and maximize the speed and distance travelled
of the oar blades. This is desirable as the boat is very light and requires
little
torque. In this fashion speed is maximized. This is an integral part of the
design. The oars, oar collars and oar pins are in the public domain.
5. The oar rests, unique to the present invention, consist of 2 identical
formed
aluminum bars (9" high) bolted in mirror image fashion to form a V. These
rests are riveted or screwed to the outrigger boom arm 3" from the pontoon
shaft clamp.
6. The oar outriggers (b) are located 16" from the pontoon boom. They are
constructed of formed square tubular aluminum (available in the public
domain) piercing the hull 1" below the gunwales in 2 places, 16" apart,
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secured on one end with a pop button lock just outside the hull and on the
other end with a C bolt just inside the hull. Affixed to the bend of this
structure is a unique aspect of the present invention - the bushing towers (a)
constructed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The towers are one
inch thick and 7 inches in height. This height is critical to the overall
design
of the boat. The tower receives the oar bushing pin through a bushing hole in
the top of the tower. This allows the oars to clear the top of the gunwales by
6 inches allowing for sufficient clearance of the oar handles with respect to
the pilot in the seat as the seat platform plus seat edges rise 4.5 inches
above the gunwales.
7. The anchor reel system is a unique aspect of the present invention. It is
comprised of 2 parts: the unique mount system, and the plastic reel itself
which
is a modified version of a proprietary product manufactured by Ruslyn Holdings
in Australia - USA Patent 9038936. The 2 reel mounts are permanently affixed
underneath the lip of the gunwales on the inside of the hull between the 2
points
where the oar outriggers pierce the hull. They are comprised of a 14" 3
channel
aluminum extrusion machined in a T shape with a middle section extending 2.5
inches inward from the gunwale and shaped to fit the rectangular opening in
the
centre of the reel. A small bolt extends vertically through the mount and
attaches
an aluminum flipper (b) with a rubber button attached with a small bolt
through
the flat face of the flipper. This button can be pushed back or pulled forward
to
release or engage the backside series of 8 holes on the outer edge of the
plastic
reel. This locks the reel in place so the anchor line will be secure in either
the
raised or lowered (anchored) position. To the middle of the main body of the
reel
mount is affixed a mechanism which locks the reel to the mount, or allows
quick
installation or uninstallation of the plastic reel. Having the reel removable
maintains the objective of having all components that are permanently or semi-
permanently attached to the boat BELOW the gunwales. This mechanism
consists of a spring-loaded thumb screw under which is placed an aluminum
toggle (a). The thumb screw permits adjustable tensioning of the quick release
toggle.
8. The rod mount system is a unique aspect of the present invention. The
holders consist of 2 blocks of high density polyethylene foam containing cut
grooves (4) to receive rod handles and rod shafts. They are approximately a
foot
long and 1 inch thick.The foam blocks are mounted on the receiver booms of
the outriggers by means of shock chords (c) through the grooves and around the
receiver tubes. The block for the shafts (b) are higher than the blocks for
the
handles (a) to allow the rods to lie close to the horizontal plane, but clear
the
deck plates and anchor line guides of the stern. The blocks will hold up to 4
rods securely in this almost horizontal position. This allows, for example,
fly
casting without the encumbrance of any objects of significant height
interfering
with the angler's back cast.
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9. The deck plates and incorporated line guides are a unique aspect of the
present invention. The deck plate is constructed from high density
polyethylene
(a) ,3/8" thick, and attached to the gunwales by bolts. It is 11' long, 7'
wide, and
tapers to 3" wide at the bow and stern points where it extends 1/2" beyond the
hull point and is capped with a rounded stainless steel slide with 2 lateral
guide
posts on bolts extending through the entire plate (b). The bolts through the
slide
are stainless steel allowing the slide and guides to double as both an anchor
line
guide a as well as point protection for the boat when loading and unloading.
10. The receiver boom mounts are an integral part of this boats design and a
unique aspect of the present invention. The mounts frame the piercings through
the hull with a flat 3'x 2.5" aluminum plate on the exterior of the hull,
overlapping
the gunwale trim and a similar, but angled, aluminum plate sandwiching the
hull
on the interior. (a) The horizontal portion of the interior plate contains 2
oblong
holes which receive a U bolt which arches over the top of the particular
aluminum square tube (b) it is holding tight (by means of thumb bolts (c) to
the
receiver mount fixture. These fixtures enable the boom rigging to be below the
surface of the boats gunwales allowing the boat to be easily slid on a roof
rack,
as well as giving the boat smooth lines while throwing fly line about.
11. Hull.
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