DESCRIPTION
BOAT
The present invention is concerned with boats and more specifically with
boats of the type having a rigid hull provided with a buoyant collar.
A well known example of this type of boat is the R.I.B. (Rigid/Inflatable
Boat). These have a hull of rigid construction plus an inflatable buoyant collar which
is attached around the rigid hull's upper periphery. The inflatable collar is of
generally circular section and sits atop the periphery of the hull, being secured
thereto by some form of mechanical engagement.
The inflatable collar is a high maintenance item requiring periodic inspection,
pressure checking and repair of any leaks.
To overcome such difficulties it is known to use instead a collar formed of
closed cell foam with a polyethylene outer skin. The foam, rather than air pressure,
maintains collar volume and shape. Maintenance requirements are reduced. The term
R.I.B. is used to refer also to boats using such foam collars.
Unfortunately R.I.Bs using inflatable and foam collars both suffer from
disadvantages in performance, particularly because of the shape resulting from the
rigid hull/collar combination. Both inflatable and foam collars are conventionally of
generally circular section. Typically the outer surface (lying toward the water) of the
collar meets the outer surface of the rigid hull at an angle, often an internal angle.
Under way, the transition between collar and rigid hull can thus effectively form a
channel along which water can flow. Pressure in this region can be reduced (in a
manner somewhat analogous to reduction of pressure in a venturi), the effect being
to tend to pull the boat downwardly and to make it more difficult for the hull to
plane.
Furthermore the hull shape resulting from the generally circular collar atop
the rigid hull is undesirably prone to slamming - bouncing up over a wave rather
than slicing through it. In the extreme, this can result in a bow over stern capsize
(pitch pole). It also exerts large forces on the collar, tending to detach the collar from
the rigid hull, which can cause structural failure.
The present invention is intended to overcome or at least to alleviate one or
more problems associated with known R.I.B.S.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is a boat
comprising a rigid hull and a buoyant peripheral collar, wherein the collar is shaped
such as to form a bow of substantially "N" section.
By shaping the collar in this manner, improvements in performance are
achieved as compared with the RJ.B.s described above.
The "V" section bow of the boat according to the present invention reduces
sl-unming, enabling^ the boat to pierce waves and providing a softer ride. Any
tendency toward bow over stem pitch poling is reduced. This formation of the collar
also helps to throw spray clear of the boat.
The bow section of the collar is preferably shaped to form a substantially
continuous line with the rigid hull at the transition between the collar and the rigid
hull.
As compared with conventional R.I.B.s, in which the circular section collar
meets the hull in an angle, this again provides performance advantages.
The collar preferably comprises foam. More preferably, the collar comprises
a plastics skin upon a core of closed cell foam.
Bow portions of the collar on both sides of the boat's longitudinal centre line
preferably both have a wedge cross section. Hence together these two portions, on
either side of the boat , form the required "N". The "N" section may also be partly
formed by the outer surface of the rigid hull itself, between opposed portions of the
collar. At the transition between the collar and the rigid hull, the shape of both is
preferably such as to form a substantially continuous curve.
The outer surface of the bow portion of the collar preferably has a concave
curve in cross section.
Further aft, the collar preferably has a "D" cross section. This can provide
large volume for the sake of buoyancy. Additionally this large volume is rapidly
immersed upon heeling of the boat when not under way, thereby assisting stability.
In an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rigid hull
has a hull wall a portion of which projects upwardly within the collar. Hence the
collar can be seated against an outer surface of this portion of the hull wall, which
allows for very robust mounting of the collar. It also proves a convenient manner of
mounting a collar having a bow section according to the first aspect of the present
invention.
Security of mounting of the collar to the rigid hull can be improved by
providing the collar with a lip for engagement with an upper edge of the rigid hull.
This lip can be such as to overhang the hull's upper edge (gunwhale).
The collar may be mounted on the rigid hull by use of adhesive. As compared
with known mechanical means of mounting the collar, this can be more
constructionally convenient and can facilitate replacement of sections of the collar -
a damaged collar section can be removed and, after scraping away of residual
adhesive from the hull, a replacement adhered in place.
Preferably the rigid hull is of egg box construction. The term is known to
those skilled in the art.
At the aft of the rigid hull there are provided, in accordance with an especially
preferred embodiment of the present invention, a laterally separated pair of hull
extensions which are at least partly submerged in use. These provide additional
buoyancy aft of the boat's normal transom position. They can be formed as
buoyancy chambers projecting aft from a bulkhead.
Preferably a propulsion outlet is disposed between the hull extensions. Hence
the outlet is protected to some degree by the extensions, and the centre of buoyancy
can be moved aft relative to the propulsion unit.
It is particularly preferred that the hull extensions are shaped to provide
dynamic lift. This is advantageous in preventing the bow angle from increasing
excessively during the transition to full planing.
The hull extensions may have respective trim tabs. Trim tabs can be used to
help keep the bow down in heavy seas and to trim the boat under a cross wind or
uneven loading.
The boat preferably has an aft recovery platform. The platform preferably
takes the form of an aft area of deck close to water level. This provides an area for
the crew to work on, especially when for example recovering people or equipment
from the water. In embodiments also having aft hull extensions, these can provide
buoyant support to the platform, which is preferably disposed above the hull
extensions. In this way submersion of the platform, eg due to loading with weight
during recovery of people or equipment from the water, can be resisted.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is a boat
comprising a rigid hull and a buoyant peripheral collar, wherein the collar is adhered
to an outer surface of the hull.
The outer surface of the hull to which the collar is adhered is preferably
formed by a hull wall portion within the collar.
The boat according to the second aspect of the present invention may have
any of the preferred features described with reference to the first aspect.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is a boat
comprising a rigid hull and a buoyant peripheral collar, wherein the outer surface of
the collar forms, at least in the bow region, a substantially continuous line with the
outer surface of the rigid hull.
A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective and from beneath the bulkheads and spine of
the rigid hull of a boat embodying the present invention, the hull's exterior skin being
omitted;
Fig.2 is a corresponding view of the rigid hull, this time with its exterior skin
in place;
Fig. 3 illustrates in perspective, from aft and beneath, the aft portion of the
rigid hull;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of a bulkhead used in the rigid hull;
Fig. 5 illustrates, in perspective and from above, an aft portion of the rear of
the boat;
Fig. 6 illustrates, from the front, the section of the rigid hull and of the collar
at several stations along the length of the boat;
Figs. 7 a - d separately and respectively illustrate corresponding stations; and
Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate, from the side and from above respectively, the lines
of the rigid hull/collar combination.
The construction of the rigid hull will be described first of all, with reference
to Figs. 1 to 5. The collar is omitted from these drawings.
The egg box construction of the rigid hull can be appreciated from Figs. 1 and
4 in particular. Bulkheads 2, one example of which is illustrated in Fig. 4, are
formed with slots such as 4 and 6 to interlock with correspondingly slotted
longitudinal members 8 and 10 forming the spine of the hull. The bulkheads and
portions of the spine are formed with projections 12 for receipt in correspondingly
formed openings in the rigid hull's exterior skin 14 (Fig. 2). Hence the entire
construction slots together. After welding the projections 12 can be faired with the
hull exterior.
The major hull components can be plasma cut from aluminium sheet.
The rigid hull shape is best appreciated with reference to Fig. 2. A seating
surface 16 extends around the hull for receiving the collar (to be described below).
The hull's longitudinally extending centre portion forms a "N" section 18 which is
deep (i.e. has an acute angle) toward the bow . The "N" section becomes shallower
(approximately a 10 degree "N" angle) toward the stern, giving extra dynamic lift in
this region to compensate for negative lift at intakes 20 of the boat's "jet" propulsion.
Fig. 3 most clearly shows two hull extensions 22, 24 extending backwardly
from the region of an underwater transom plate 26 through which are formed outputs
28 of the "jet" propulsion. The hull extensions are formed as buoyant chambers.
Their lowest and outermost surfaces are continuous with the adjacent surfaces of the
rigid hull. The hull extensions are laterally separated such that the propulsion outlets
28 can be accommodated therebetween.
Trim tabs (not shown) may be mounted upon respective lower surfaces 30 of
the hull extensions 22, 24.
Turning now to Fig. 5, it can be seen that the boat has an aft recovery
platform 32 disposed above and between the hull extensions 22, 24. The boat has an
open transom so that a man overboard can be recovered on to the aft of the recovery
platform without the need to raise him (or her) over transom or gunwhale. The
buoyancy contributed by the hull extensions 22, 24 helps to keep the recovery
platform 32 above water level even when loaded. Furthermore, it can be seen that the
hull extensions 22, 24 beneath the water line lead to buoyant chambers 34, 36 above
the waterline, providing extra aft buoyancy in the event that the aft of the boat is
submerged.
An "A" frame 38 is provided just forward of the recovery platform.
The open transom configuration of the boat allows any water which is shipped
to rapidly escape at the stern. Between hull wall 40 and a deck house 42 are formed
passages in regions 44 allowing water to flow aft along the deck to reach the stern
and so flow away.
Seating for three persons is provided at 46, behind an instrument console 48.
Turning now to Figs. 6 to 9, the collar 50 will be described.
Figs. 7 a - d show most clearly the mode of attachment of the collar 50 to the
rigid hull, and also the changing cross section of the collar. As has been mentioned
above, the collar is mounted on a seating surface 16 of the rigid hull. To this end the
collar has a corresponding seating surface 52. The two surfaces are glued together
to mount the collar 50 upon the rigid hull. Security of mounting of the collar 50 upon
the rigid hull is improved by an inwardly turned lip 51 which embraces the gunwhale
of the rigid hull.
Fig. 7a shows the collar cross section at front station 0 (note that the
numbering of stations in Fig. 7 corresponds to the numbering of stations 0-14 in Figs.
8 and 9, which are the longitudinal positions of bulkheads of the rigid hull). In this
region the collar 50 has a wedge section, broader at the top than at the bottom. Its
outer face 54 is a slightly concave curve, steeply angled to the horizontal so that
portions of the collar on either side of the boat together present a deep "V" section
to water through which the boat moves. The advantages of this shape, as compared
with the round section collar of conventional RJ.B.s, have been explained above.
Slightly further aft at station 1 (Fig. 7b) it can be seen that the "N" section is
formed not only by the collar but also by the skin 14 of the rigid hull between
opposed portions of the collar. The shape of the collar 50 in this region is such that
at the transition 56 between the collar and the rigid hull a substantially continuous
line is formed.
Still further aft at stations 4 and 11 the collar is seen to have a more bulbous
"D" section, providing large volume.
As well as the hydrodynamic advantages resulting from the "N" section
formed by the collar and by the rigid hull, the illustrated formation of the collar
provides the following advantageous features:
a. large volume is submerged rapidly as the boat heels at rest, improving
stability;
b. dynamic lift is provided when the boat is under way and heavily loaded;
c. the curved lip, curving over the rigid hull's gunwhale, gives padding and
protection.
The illustrated collar 50 is manufactured from closed cell foam - polyethylene
foam is most suitable. Typically 6 laminates of foam sheet are used. These are cut
to shape then glued up in sections roughly 1.5 metres long. The laminates are
vertical. The collar is sprayed with suitable plastics - e.g. polyurethane - to form an exterior skin which, depending on customer requirements, can be as much as 18 mm
thick. Along the length of the collar are several such 1.5 metre sections. Where
adjacent sections meet they interlock in a male/female manner and are also glued
together. Any slight gaps between two adjacent sections are filled.