GB2282994A

GB2282994A - Sailing craft

Info

Publication number: GB2282994A
Application number: GB9420378A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Farad Azima
Original assignee: Mission Yachts PLC
Current assignee: Mission Yachts PLC
Priority date: 1993-10-20
Filing date: 1994-10-10
Publication date: 1995-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-10
Also published as: GB9321663D0; GB9420378D0; GB2282994B

Abstract

A sail boat hull 2 comprising a keel 4 formed in the area immediately behind its leading edge with a crumple zone 6 constructed and intended for energy absorption due to progressive deformation in the event of a collision. Preferably the crumple zone is constructed to be detachable for replacement in the event of damage. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE SAILING CRAFT DESCRIPTION The invention relates to sailing craft and more particularly, but not exclusively to ocean-going yachts.

The stability of almost any sail boat depends critically on its keel and loss of the keel for any reason, for example, due to collision with an obstruction is usually disastrous since it leads rapidly to loss of stability and capsizing of the craft. Underwater hazards are an increasing risk especially with ocean-going vessels due to flotsam and jetsam e.g. semi-submerged cargo containers lost overboard from large container vessels.

Such floating or submerged obstructions are difficult to detect at any time, but obviously there is an increased risk of collision when visibility is reduced, e.g. during nighttime. Once the keel is lost, there is no possibility of self-righting the vessel and consequently there is considerable risk of loss of life, even if the hull remains intact.

It is known in a small sailing dinghy for the keel to be pivoted so that it swings backwards and upwardly when encountering an obstruction, but such an arrangement is not practicable for an ocean-going yacht which will usually have a displacement of several tonnes. Such a vessel requires a fixed keel. For a sail boat of the larger kind it is known to provide a keel mounted to be slidable on rails, movement of the keel along the rails being resisted by an hydraulic shock absorber intended to absorb the impact of a collision. Such an arrangement is expensive and cumbersome.

It is an object of the invention to provide a relatively simple and thus inexpensive keel arrangement for a sail boat which can withstand a collision without affecting the structural integrity or stability of the vessel.

According to the invention a sail boat comprises a keel formed in the vicinity of its leading edge with a crumple zone intended for progressive deformation and energy absorption in the event of a collision e.g. in the manner of the front section of an automobile.

Preferably the crumple zone will permit progressive deformation of the leading edge of the keel during impact while leaving a rearward portion of the keel intact so that the stability of the boat is retained.

The crumple zone may extend from the root of the keel to its free or distal end and may be made from any suitable material, e.g. steel, aluminium or plastics, provided that it collapses and absorbs energy in a predictable manner known per se in relation to automobiles. Thus the crumple zone may be made from a fibre-reinforced plastics composite material. Thus the main portion of the keel may be considered as the passenger cell of an automobile, the integrity of which is to be maintained whilst the leading portion of the keel may be considered as a portion of the vehicle external to the passenger cell and which is permitted to absorb the energy of the collision by deforming in a controlled fashion. The crumple zone of the keel may be made to be readily detachable from the remainder of the keel to facilitate repair.

It is thought that, by this method, the stability of the vessel can be maintained or that, at the very least, the rate at which the vessel loses stability can be reduced to an extent where sufficient time is gained to permit the crew to launch a life raft, and/or to send a distress signal.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing which is a side view of a yacht.

In the drawing there is shown a generally conventional ocean-going yacht 1 comprising a hull 2 having a bow 9 and stern 10 and having a single mast 6 which supports a fore sail 8 and a main sail 7, the hull being formed at a mid position with a downwardly depending keel 4 having a root 11 and a free or distal end 12 and at its stern with downwardly depending rudder 3.

Referring more particularly to the keel 4, its forward portion 6 is formed as a crumple zone which is shown shaded for identification only. This crumple zone is intended to deform progressively in response to impact with an obstruction and in so doing to absorb the energy of the collision to an extent where the rearward or main portion 5 of the keel can remain intact to an extent necessary for the basic stability of the yacht to be maintained. It will be appreciated that the ballast (not shown) normally provided in the keel will be positioned in the rear or main portion 5 of the keel. The crumple zone 6 may be made from any suitable material e.g. fibre-reinforced plastics, and will be designed in accordance with techniques known ter se in relation to the construction of automobile crumple zones. Preferably the crumple zone will be detachable to allow ready replacement if damaged.

The invention thus provides a simple means for improving the safety of a sailing craft.

Claims

1. A sail boat hull comprising a keel formed in the area immediately behind its leading edge with a crumple zone constructed and intended for energy absorption due to progressive deformation in the event of a collision.

2. A sail boat hull according to claim 1, wherein the crumple zone extends substantially from the root of the keel to its distal end.

3. A sail boat hull according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the keel comprises a rearward portion the integrity of which is to be protected by the crumple zone.

4. A sail boat hull according to claim 3, wherein keel ballast is provided in the rearward portion of the keel.

5. A sail boat hull according to any preceding claim, wherein the crumple zone is constructed to be detachable for replacement in the event of damage.

6. A sail boat hull substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. A sail boat comprising a hull as claimed in any preceding claim.