WO2018087583A1

WO2018087583A1 - Stabilizing apparatus for a boat

Info

Publication number: WO2018087583A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/056815
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi DE CESCO
Original assignee: Serigi Engineering S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-11-11
Filing date: 2016-11-11
Publication date: 2018-05-17

Abstract

A stabilizing apparatus for a boat (80) comprises a connection plate (12) attachable to a hull (82) of a boat, a fixed ballast (20) attached to the connection plate and a shaped fairing (24) attached to a mobile ballast. The shaped fairing is provided with a cavity (26) in which the fixed ballast is positioned sliding; the cavity is configured to allow a translation of the mobile ballast toward/away from the fixed ballast with respect to the connection plate.

Description

"STABILIZING APPARATUS FOR A BOAT"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a stabilizing apparatus for a boat which allows to lift or lower the minimum and maximum draft and the center of gravity of a boat, according to requirements. The apparatus according to the present invention is applicable to sailing boats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stabilizing apparatuses for sailing boats are known, which comprise a ballast, also called centerboard, or a mass of great weight, generally attached under the hull of a boat so as to lower its center of gravity and contrast a possible excessive inclination of the boat, due for example to rolling caused by the wave motion and the force imparted by the wind on the sails.

The ballast can be fixed or distanced downward with respect to the hull of the boat.

One disadvantage of such stabilizing apparatuses with fixed ballast is that it is not possible to vary the position of the ballast, both to give stability to the boat and also to adapt to the specific sailing conditions, for example it is very important to be able to reduce the draft of the ballast to enter into port or roadsteads with shallow water.

Here and hereafter in the description by draft we mean the variable distance at which the center of gravity of the ballast is positioned on each occasion with respect to the keel, that is, by how much the ballast is distanced from the keel.

Stabilizing apparatuses are also known which comprise a ballast that can be pivoting or mobile, toward/away from the hull of the boat.

Stabilizing apparatuses with a ballast that can be pivoting or mobile, toward/away from the hull can be moved so as to move the center of gravity of the boat according to requirements, to improve its stability or to reduce the draft when the boat has to sail in shallow water.

One disadvantage of stabilizing apparatuses of the pivoting type, usually used on regatta boats, is the high cost, in particular of the members that drive the ballast. Generally speaking, the drive members are hydraulic actuators, which are not only very costly and bulky, but consist of parts which, if put in contact with the salt water of the sea, can quickly deteriorate.

This entails further expenses for maintenance and/or spare parts.

One example of a known pivoting keel is described in document CH-A- 638.145 where the mobile ballast is supported by two support elements having their lower ends hinged to the mobile ballast and the upper ends hinged to a cross piece attached to the hull and that extends transversely to the longitudinal development of the boat and protrudes laterally from the hull. The support elements are the telescopic type to adjust their length and hence the position of the ballast. However, as well as having the disadvantages described above, this solution is also particularly complex to make, it increases the lateral bulk of the boat and makes the adjustment operations extremely complex. In fact, it is very complex to determine precisely the correct position of the mobile ballast with respect to the hull, both because the command to adjust the position is driven manually by rotating a worm screw, and also because it is necessary to intervene on at least two command members that are not synchronized with each other.

Mobile ballasts are also known which can be moved toward/away from the hull of a boat by sliding vertically inside a watertight tank with sliding guides. The watertight tank normally extends from the bottom of the boat to the deck and this greatly limits the internal lay-out of the boat, obliging designers to distribute the furniture depending on this bulky tank, which is also esthetically invasive. Furthermore, such mobile ballasts are very costly due to their technical and technological complexity, and have extremely expensive materials, like the carbon compound used so as not to make the structure enormously heavy.

Documents DE-A-21.09. 11, US-A-3.110.281, EP-A-2.055.628, US-A- 2014/026795 and FR-A-2.883.254 describe other known solutions of stabilizing apparatuses for boats.

DE-A-21.09.511 describes a stabilizing apparatus comprising a mobile ballast and a plurality of telescopic elements sliding linearly one inside the other, of which a first element is connected to the hull of a boat and a last element is connected to the mobile ballast. A pantograph mechanism is associated with the hull and the mobile ballast; is positioned inside the telescopic elements and is driven by a worm screw to take the telescopic elements to a retracted position in which the mobile ballast is near the hull, and to an extended position in which the mobile ballast is distanced from the hull. This configuration is particularly bulky and complex to make, due to the large number of components.

Furthermore, the large number of components hinged to each other to allow the mobile ballast to move is subject, during use, to serious corrosion attacks which can compromise the correct functioning of the apparatus.

Documents US-A-3.110.281 and EP-A-2.055.628 describe technical solutions in which the mobile ballast is mobile from the extended position to the retracted position by a cable or chain.

However, this solution does not control the position of the mobile ballast with respect to the hull because the cable cannot generate a thrust action to move the mobile ballast away from the hull.

This prevents a correct control of the position of the ballast, for example if there is a blockage of the telescopic elements provided in said solutions.

US-A-2014/026795 describes a stabilizing apparatus of the retractable type which comprises a guide and support body attached to the boat and positioned completely inside the hull of the boat.

The apparatus also comprises a ballast attached to a connection body which is mobile linearly in the guide and support body to move the ballast toward/away from the hull of the boat.

A lifting device is associated with the guide and support body and the connection body, which determines the movement of the ballast.

This solution entails a large bulk of the guide and support body inside the boat, therefore reducing the spaces available to the users.

Document FR-A-2.883.254 describes a stabilizing apparatus with a variable geometry, comprising a fixed ballast attached to the hull of the boat and a mobile ballast sliding toward/away from the fixed ballast and at least partly mobile inside the latter.

However, this solution too is not very effective and protrudes toward the outside of the hull of the boat.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a stabilizing apparatus that can be able, at any time and with absolute simplicity, to reduce the draft when necessary, and without occupying invasively the distribution of the interior of the boat. Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a stabilizing apparatus that allows to modify, quickly and precisely, the position of the ballast with respect to the hull of the boat.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a stabilizing apparatus built with so-called "marine" materials, that is, stainless steel and bronze, reducing or almost eliminating the need for frequent maintenance thereof.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a stabilizing apparatus is provided for a boat, comprising a connection plate to connect the apparatus to a hull of a boat.

According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a fixed ballast attached below the connection plate, a mobile ballast and mechanical drive members configured to translate the mobile ballast toward/away from the connection plate.

This allows to be able to lift or lower the draft and also the overall center of gravity of the boat adapting it to the specific sailing needs.

The presence of purely mechanical drive members avoids the use of hydraulic actuators which are very delicate in marine environments and also particularly subject to losses of work fluids, such as hydraulic oils, potentially polluting for the environment.

The mechanical drive members are in fact particularly suitable for the marine environment for which they are intended, since they are particularly robust and ensure longevity and reduced maintenance interventions.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a shaped fairing attached to the mobile ballast and defining a cavity, in which the fixed ballast is positioned.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the stabilizing apparatus comprises a guide body attached to the connection plate so as to position a first portion below the connection plate and at least partly in the fixed ballast, and a second portion above the connection plate. The guide body is provided with a guide seating that extends between the first portion and the second portion and is open at least toward the first portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the apparatus comprises a support body integrated with the mobile ballast, inserted through the aperture of the first portion, and mobile in a guided manner in the guide seating.

According to another aspect of the invention the mechanical drive members are installed at least partly in the guide seating and are associated with the guide body and with the support body in order to translate the support body in the guide body, and respectively the shaped fairing with respect to the fixed ballast.

This configuration allows to obtain a double guide action in the movement of the mobile ballast with respect to the fixed ballast. Indeed, a first guide action is defined between the guide body and the support body, and a second guide action is determined by the same mechanical guide members that are attached to the guide body and the support body. This confers greater stability and resistance to the mobile ballast reducing the extent of vibrations to which it is subjected by fluid-dynamic action.

In particular the guide body and the support body are suitably sized so as to absorb the bending stresses to which the apparatus is subjected during use.

According to possible embodiments, the shaped fairing has a shaped profile, for example of the cross section, substantially mating with that of the fixed ballast. This solution allows to have a continuity of hydrodynamic shape between the fixed ballast and the shaped fairing, in any position the mobile ballast goes. This is also possible thanks to the fact that the shaped fairing moves telescopically sliding with respect to and outside the fixed ballast.

The present invention also concerns a boat comprising a stabilizing apparatus as described above.

The present invention also concerns a method for stabilizing a boat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stabilizing apparatus for a boat in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a stabilizing apparatus for a boat in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 3 is a section view of a stabilizing apparatus for a boat in a condition of maximum extension;

- fig. 4 is a section view of a stabilizing apparatus for a boat in a condition of minimum extension;

- fig. 5 is a view of a stabilizing apparatus in accordance with embodiments described here applied to a boat.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We shall now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof.

According to the present description, embodiments described here using figs. 1-5 concern a stabilizing apparatus 10 for a boat 80.

According to embodiments described using fig. 5, the apparatus 10 can be installed in the lower part of the hull 82 of a boat 80, for example in the keel of a boat 80, by means of a connection plate 12, to lower the center of gravity of the boat 80 and increase its stability.

The connection plate 12 can have through holes 14 in which attachment members 16 can be inserted, for example pins, screws or suchlike, to connect the connection plate 12 to the hull 82 of the boat 80.

According to some embodiments, coupling plates 18 can be provided, located during use between the connection plate 12 and the inside of the hull 82, to guarantee a better adherence of one to the other, and a more stable connection.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 comprises a fixed ballast 20, attached below the connection plate 12, to a side facing downward during use.

The connection plate 12 can be made in a single body with the fixed ballast 20, for example as a monoblock.

The fixed ballast 20 can be made of cast iron, or other types of material having a high specific weight, to provide a fixed and stable weight in the bottom of the boat 80.

According to a variant embodiment, the fixed ballast 20 can be made of metal sheet carpentry, for example with a special, high-resistance steel, such as Weldox 700 or 900, and can be attached to the hull. The metal sheet is suitably welded to obtain an external perimeter jacket, hollow inside, and defining the hydrodynamic profile of the ballast. The cavity of the jacket is filled with lead balls, to increase the weight of the fixed ballast 20 and make it substantially equal to that of a ballast made of cast iron.

The apparatus 10 also comprises a mobile ballast 22, translatable toward/away from the connection plate 12, so as to lift or lower the draft and the overall center of gravity of the boat 80, according to requirements.

The displacement of the center of gravity of the boat 80, by moving the mobile ballast 22, can be advantageous when the boat 80 is at anchor in a rough sea. In this case, by raising the mobile ballast 22, the pitching and rolling movements are less violent and hence more comfortable for the crew.

In the same way, a displacement of the center of gravity can be advantageous during a regatta, where the boat 80 is sailing with a tail wind, in which case it is convenient to reduce the draft to the maximum, completely raising the mobile ballast 22 to confer greater speed and course stability on the boat 80.

According to some embodiments, the mobile ballast 22 has a hydrodynamic profile so as to present minimum resistance to the water. According to some embodiments, the mobile ballast 22 can be made of a material with a high specific weight, for example lead, cast iron or other material resistant to oxidation.

According to some embodiments, the overall weight of the mobile ballast 22 can be comprised between about 800 kg and 10,000 kg, and is chosen as a function of the size and type of the boat, whether cruise or regatta.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 comprises a shaped fairing 24 attached to the mobile ballast 22.

According to some embodiments, the shaped fairing 24 can be made of a material resistant to oxidation, generally due to contact with the salt of sea water, for example of composite materials, or also steel or stainless steel calendered metal sheet. According to some embodiments, the shaped fairing 24 has a hydrodynamic conformation, with minimum resistance to water.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the shaped fairing 24 has a hydrodynamic profile of its external surface that is substantially identical to that of the fixed ballast 20. This ensures hydrodynamic continuity in any position the mobile ballast 22 is put.

Merely by way of example, the shaped profile of both the fixed ballast 20 and the shaped fairing 24 can be the NACA type.

According to embodiments described using figs. 1 and 2, the shaped fairing 24 is provided with or defines a cavity 26 inside which the fixed ballast 20 is positioned. The cavity 26 has a cross section shape substantially mating with that of the external surface of the fixed ballast 20, thus allowing to define a hydrodynamic continuity with the shaped fairing 24.

In particular, the fixed ballast 20 can be completely enclosed inside the cavity 26 of the shaped fairing 24 when the apparatus 10 is in a configuration of minimum extension (fig. 4), while it can be only partly positioned inside the cavity 26 when the apparatus 10 is in a configuration of maximum extension (fig. 3), or in a configuration of intermediate extension, where by extension we mean the distance of the mobile ballast 22 with respect to the connection plate 12.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 comprises mechanical drive members 28 (figs. 2-4), configured to move the mobile ballast 22 toward/away from the connection plate 12, making the shaped fairing 24 slide, with its cavity 26, outside the fixed ballast 20.

According to embodiments described using figs. 1-5, a guide body 30 can be provided, attached to the connection plate 12 and to the fixed ballast 20, hollow inside to define a guide seating 34.

If the fixed ballast 20 is made of metal carpentry, the guide body 30 can be attached by welding to the fixed ballast 20 and/or the connection plate 12.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 can comprise a support body 40, attached to the mobile ballast 22 and disposed sliding in the guide seating 34 inside the guide body 30.

According to some embodiments, the support body 40 is installed sliding in the guide body 30 along a guide axis Z incident against the connection plate 12. The sliding coupling of the support body 40 and the guide body 30 ensures a stable connection of the fixed ballast 20 and the mobile ballast 22, also respecting the conditions of mechanical resistance of the two due to the great stresses acting on the mobile ballast 22 and the shaped fairing 24.

According to some embodiments, the connection plate 12 and the fixed ballast 20 comprise respective housing seatings 32, 33 through which the guide body 30 is positioned and attached.

The fixed ballast 20, according to the solution shown in the drawings, has a solid cross section, except for the housing seating 33 made therein. This allows to considerably increase the weight of the fixed ballast 20 compared with known solutions.

According to embodiments described using figs. 3 and 4, the guide body 30 is provided with a first portion 30a, or internal guide portion, which extends during use below the connection plate 12, and a second portion 30b, or external guide portion, which extends above the connection plate 12.

The guide seating 34 extends between the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b and is open at least toward the first portion 30a with an introduction aperture 31. The support body 40 is inserted in the guide body 30 through the introduction aperture 31.

According to possible embodiments, the first portion 30a can have an extension, along the guide axis Z, substantially identical to that of the fixed ballast 20, and is completely contained therein.

According to some embodiments, the second portion 30b can have an extension substantially identical to that of the first portion 30a, although it is not excluded that it can have a different extension in relation to the maximum and minimum draft established during the design stage of the boat 80.

According to embodiments described using figs. 3, 4 and 5, the second portion 30b is positioned during use above the keel of the hull 82, under the deck of the boat 80, and can have a bigger or smaller extension depending on requirements and on the maximum travel condition to be obtained. According to some embodiments, if a small travel of the mobile centerboard is sufficient, the bulk of the second portion 30b can be minimal, or contained for example under a table or seat, so it does not pass through the whole cabin.

According to possible embodiments described using fig. 2, the guide body 30 can be defined by two bigger plates 36, disposed parallel to each other and joined together, near their lateral edges, by smaller plates 38, to define together the guide seating 34.

According to some embodiments, the guide body 30 can comprise an upper plate 37, attached to the upper end of the bigger plates 36 and smaller plates 38.

The upper plate 37 can be provided with a through hole 37a, through which the mechanical drive members 28 are inserted.

According to embodiments described using figs. 1 and 2, the guide seating 34 of the guide body 30 has a shape and cross section size mating with those of the support body 40.

According to embodiments described using figs. 1-3, the guide body 30 and the support body 40 are parallelepiped shaped, with a rectangular section, but in other embodiments they could have a polygonal, squared, round or ovoid section, or irregular in segments. In any case, the shape of the support body 40 is such that it can slide linearly along the guide axis Z in the guide body 30, with respective external walls of the support body 40 and internal walls of the guide body 30 adjacent to each other.

According to embodiments described using figs. 3 and 4, the support body 40 is completely inserted in the guide body 30 in the condition of minimum extension (fig. 4), while it is only partly inserted in the guide body 30, in particular only in the first portion 30a, in the condition of maximum extension (fig- 3).

According to a possible formulation of the invention, it can be provided that the support body 40 is kept guided in its movement, remaining for at least part of its length, for example about 1/2 -1/4, contained in the guide seating 34 of the guide body 30. In this way, the stresses and plays that can be generated between the guide body and the support body are advantageously limited.

According to some embodiments, the support body 40 can comprise a sliding portion 40a installed sliding and guided in the guide seating 34 and a connection portion 40b to which the mobile ballast 22 and the shaped fairing 24 are attached.

The sliding portion 40a protrudes upward during use with respect to the shaped fairing 24.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 comprises a first flange 42 attached to the lower part of the fixed ballast 20 and provided with a through aperture 43, through which the support body 40 is able to slide.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 also comprises a second flange 44 connecting the support body 40 and the mobile ballast 22.

The second flange 44 can be directly connected to the mobile ballast 22.

According to a variant described using fig. 2, a third flange 46 is provided, connecting the second flange 44 firmly attached to the support body 40 and the mobile ballast 22.

According to some embodiments, the shaped fairing 24 is attached to the mobile ballast 22 so as to enclose the connection portion 40b of the support body 40 when the apparatus 10 passes from the minimum extension configuration to the maximum extension configuration, or also when it is in an intermediate configuration with respect to them.

The mobile ballast 22 can be attached to the support body 40, in this case to the third flange 46 and the second flange 44 by means of mechanical connection members such as screws.

According to some embodiments, the second flange 44 can comprise holes 47 to insert the mechanical connection members.

According to possible solutions, connection members with controlled breakage 51 can be inserted in the holes 47, for example bolts, to connect the mobile ballast 22.

The connection members with controlled breakage can be suitably designed and sized so as to resist the mechanical stresses acting on the mobile ballast 22 alone, and if the stresses acting on the mobile ballast 22 exceed the design stresses, for example due to a beaching of the boat 80, the connection members are configured to break and free the mobile ballast 22 from the support body 40. The connection members can be sized to shear off when the stresses reach forces comparable to beaching conditions of the boat 80, for example when it is proceeding at a speed of about 5-6 knots against sand or rocks.

The sizing of the connection members allows to reduce the damage to which the apparatus 10 can be subjected or even the keel of the boat 80 to which the apparatus 10 is connected.

According to some embodiments, the mechanical drive members 28 are connected to the guide body 30 and the support body 40 and are configured to translate the support body 40 inside the guide body 30.

In particular, the mechanical drive members 28 are at least partly installed in the guide seating 34 and are associated with the guide body 30 and the support body 40 to translate the latter in the guide body 30, and respectively the shaped fairing 24 with respect to the fixed ballast 20.

According to embodiments described Using figs. 1-4, the mechanical drive members 28 can include a mechanical jack 29, which comprises a female screw 52 on which a worm screw 54 is screwed, associated with the guide body 30. According to possible solutions, the female screw 52 is attached to the support body 40, on its upper part, in particular on the upper end of the sliding portion 40a.

According to some embodiments, the worm screw 54 is provided with a first end 54a associated with the guide body 30 and the mechanical drive members 28 configured to make the worm screw 54 rotate, and a second end 54b positioned in the guide seating 34 and in the support body 40.

The worm screw 54 is constrained to the guide body 30, inside the guide seating 34, so that it can only rotate around its longitudinal axis of development.

In this way it is possible to obtain a double guide action, apart from that defined by the guide body 30 and the support body 40, which is defined by the action of the worm screw 54 acting directly on the female screw 52.

According to some embodiments, the worm screw 54 is located during use inside a housing seating 56 made in the support body 40 parallel to the longitudinal development of the latter.

In this configuration, by making the worm screw 54 rotate, the female screw 52, screwing onto the latter, translates the support body 40 in the guide body 30, consequently determining the movement of the mobile ballast 22 with respect to the fixed ballast 20. According to some embodiments, the mechanical drive members 28 can comprise at least an electric motor 48 to automatically drive the movement of the mobile ballast 22 with respect to the fixed ballast 20, and at least one manual actuation element 49 to make the worm screw 54 rotate manually.

In this way, even if there is an electric failure of the apparatus 10, it is possible to act on the mobile ballast 22 to move it to a condition of non-interference.

The manual actuation element can comprise a crank or flywheel for example.

The worm screw 54 is made of materials resistant to corrosion, such as stainless steel AISI 304, to prevent the seawater from damaging the materials and causing corrosion.

During use, the water fills the guide seating 34 for the part not occupied by the sliding portion 40a of the support body 40, and up to the float level of the boat 80.

Between the support body 40 and the mechanical drive members 28 connected with it, watertight seal elements can be provided, configured to prevent the water leaking from the guide seating 34 through the support body 40 and flowing inside the boat 80.

The electric motor 48 and the manual actuation element 49 are installed in the top part of the guide body 30, at a level above the float level of the boat 80 and thus protected from possible problems of deterioration and oxidation due to contact with the water.

Furthermore, during use, the cavity 26 of the shaped fairing 24 also fills with water, advantageously increasing the overall weight of the stabilizing apparatus 10. To this purpose the cavity 26 too is open toward the outside, for example by apertures and/or plays provided between the shaped fairing 24 and the fixed ballast 20.

According to some embodiments, combinable with all the embodiments described here, the apparatus 10 comprises end-of-travel members 58, associated with the guide body 30 and the support body 40, configured to define a condition of maximum travel of the support body 40 with respect to the guide body 30, and hence of the mobile ballast 22 with respect to the connection plate 12.

The end-of-travel members 58 prevent any involuntary exit of the support body 40 from the guide body 30, with consequent loss of the mobile ballast 22, in the event of any malfunction of the mechanical drive members 28.

According to some embodiments, the end-of-travel members 58 can be made of bronze, to preserve over time the duration of the components that are made to slide with respect thereto.

The end-of-travel members 58 can comprise first end-of-travel elements 58a attached on the guide body 30 and second end-of-travel elements 58b attached to the support body 40.

The first end-of-travel elements 58a are installed on the guide body 30, in the guide seating 34 and in the first portion 30a, and the second end-of-travel elements 58b are installed on the external surface of the support body 40.

The first end-of-travel elements 58a and the second end-of-travel elements 58b can also function as guide blocks for the support body 40 in the guide body 30, keeping a correct alignment of one with respect to the other.

The first end-of-travel elements 58a and the second end-of-travel elements 58b are provided with coupling and centering portions 61, 63 configured to couple and center the support body 40 with respect to the guide body 30 at least when the mobile ballast 22 is in its condition of maximum travel with respect to the connection plate 12.

Furthermore, the coupling portions 61 and 63, at least in the maximum travel condition, allow to damp vibrations and limit reciprocal plays between the support body 40 and guide body 30.

According to embodiments described using fig. 2, the coupling portions can comprise ridges 61 made in this case on the first end-of-travel elements 58a and hollows 63 made in this case on the second end-of-travel elements 58b.

The first end-of-travel elements 58a can be attached in the guide seating 34 of the guide body 30 in the lower part of the first portion 30a, in particular on the bigger plates 36, with the ridge 61 facing upward.

The second end-of-travel elements 58b can be attached to the support body 40 in the upper part of the sliding portion 40a, in particular on the bigger lateral walls 36, with the hollow 63 facing downward.

According to embodiments described using fig. 2, the apparatus 10 can comprise guide sliders 64, 66, attached respectively on the external surface of the support body 40 and in the guide seating 34 of the guide body 30 and also configured to guarantee a correct centering and alignment of the support body 40 in the guide body 30.

The guide sliders 64 can be attached near the lower edge, during use, of the smaller plates 38.

The guide sliders 66 can be attached to the support body 40 in the upper part of the sliding portion 40a.

The guide sliders 64, 66 can have a lateral size or thickness mating with the distance between the two bigger plates 36, so as to adapt perfectly between them and hence function as guide blocks for the support body 40 in the guide body 30, keeping a correct alignment of one with respect to the other.

According to some embodiments, the guide sliders 64 and 66 can be made of bronze, to preserve over time the duration of the components that are made to slide with respect thereto.

According to a variant embodiment, the guide sliders 64 of the guide body 30 can function as abutment and end-of-travel elements for the guide sliders 66 of the support body 40.

According to some embodiments, the second end-of-travel elements 58b and/or the guide sliders 66 can be attached to the support body 40 by releasable connection elements 59, for example screws, pegs, pins, bolts or suchlike, so that they can be removed to allow the removal of the support body 40 from the guide body 30, for example in case they need maintenance.

According to some embodiments, the first end-of-travel elements 58a and/or the guide sliders 64 can also be attached on the guide body 30 by removable attachment members.

According to embodiments described using figs. 1 and 2, the guide body 30 in its second portion 30b is provided with slits 68, 70 to access the guide seating 34 so as to be able to act on the connection elements 59 and attach or remove the second end-of-travel elements 58b.

The slits 68, 70 can be made respectively on the bigger plates 36 and the smaller plates 38.

In this way, the operations to assemble/disassemble the support body 40 inside the guide body 30 are simplified.

According to some embodiments, covering elements 72, 74 can be provided, configured to cover the respective slits 68, 70.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the stabilizing apparatus as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of stabilizing apparatuses, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Stabilizing apparatus for a boat (80) comprising a connection plate (12) attachable to a hull (82) of a boat (80), a fixed ballast (20) attached below said connection plate (12), a mobile ballast (22) and mechanical drive members (28) configured to translate said mobile ballast (22) toward/away from said connection plate (12), characterized in that it comprises:

- a shaped fairing (24) attached to said mobile ballast (22) and defining a cavity (26) in which said fixed ballast (20) is positioned,

- a guide body (30) attached to said connection plate (12) in order to position a first portion (30a) thereof below the connection plate (12) and at least partly in said fixed ballast (20), and a second portion (30b) thereof above said connection plate (12), said guide body (30) being provided with a guide seating (34) that extends between said first portion (30a) and said second portion (30b) and is open at least toward said first portion (30a),

- a support body (40) integrated with said mobile ballast (22), inserted through the aperture of said first portion (30a), and mobile in a guided manner in said guide seating (34), and in that said mechanical drive members (28) are at least partly installed in said guide seating (34) and are associated with said guide body (30) and with said support body (40) in order to translate said support body (40) in said guide body (30), and respectively said shaped fairing (24) with respect to said fixed ballast (20).

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said mechanical drive members (28) comprise a mechanical jack (29) with a female screw (52) attached to said support body (40) and a worm screw (54) associated with said guide body (30) and on which said female screw (52) is screwed.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that said worm screw (54) is provided with a first end (54a) associated with said guide body (30) and with said mechanical drive members (28) configured to make said worm screw (54) rotate, and a second end (54b) positioned in said guide seating (34) and in said support body (40).

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, characterized in that said mechanical drive members (28) comprise an electric motor (48) to automatically drive the movement of said mobile ballast (22) with respect to said fixed ballast (20), and a manual actuation element (49) to manually make said worm screw (54) rotate.

5. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises first end-of-travel elements (58a) installed on said guide body (30), in said guide seating (34) and in said first portion (30a), and second end-of-travel elements (58b) installed on the external surface of said support body (40), and in that said first end-of-travel elements (58a) and said second end-of-travel elements (58b) are provided with coupling and centering portions (61, 63) configured to couple and center said support body (40) with respect to said guide body (30) at least when said mobile ballast (22) is in its condition of maximum travel with respect to said connection plate (12).

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, characterized in that at least said second end-of- travel elements (58b) are attached with connection elements (59) to said support body (40), and in that said guide body (30), in said second portion (30b), is provided with slits (68, 70) to access said guide seating (34) to act on said connection elements (59) and attach or remove at least said second end-of-travel elements (58b).

7. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said support body (40) is provided with a sliding portion (40a) protruding with respect to said shaped fairing (24), and installed sliding, in a guided manner, in said guide seating (34), and with a connection portion (40b), to which said shaped fairing (24) and said mobile ballast (22) are connected.

8. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said cavity (26) of said shaped fairing (24) has a shape and size of the cross section mating with that of said fixed ballast (20), and in that said guide seating (34) of said guide body (30) has a shape and size of the cross section mating with that of said support body (40).

9. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said cavity (26) of said shaped fairing (24) is open toward the outside in order to allow it to be filled with water.

10. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said connection plate (12) and said fixed ballast (20) comprise respective housing seatings (32, 33) through which said guide body (30) is positioned and attached.

1 1. Boat comprising a hull (82) and a stabilizing apparatus (10) as in any of the claims from 1 to 10 attached to said hull (82).

12. Method for stabilizing a boat (80) that provides to:

- attach a connection plate (12) to a hull (82) of said boat (80).

- attach a fixed ballast (20) below said connection plate (12);

- translate a mobile ballast (22) with respect to said fixed ballast (20) toward/away from said connection plate (12) with mechanical drive members (28),

characterized in that it provides to:

- attach a shaped fairing (24) provided with a cavity (26) to said mobile ballast (22),

- insert said fixed ballast (20) inside said cavity (26) of said shaped fairing (24),

- attach a guide body (30) to said connection plate (12) positioning a first portion (30a) thereof below the connection plate (12) and at least partly in said fixed ballast (20), and a second portion (30b) thereof above said connection plate (12), - provide in said guide body (30) a guide seating (34) that extends between said first portion (30a) and said second portion (30b) and is open at least toward said first portion (30a),

- insert mobile, in a guided manner, a support body (40) integrated with the mobile ballast (22) into said guide seating (34) and through the aperture of said first portion (30a),

- install said mechanical drive members (28) at least partly in said guide seating (34) and associate them with said guide body (30) and with said support body (40),

- translate said support body (40) in said guide body (30), and respectively said shaped fairing (24) with respect to said fixed ballast (20) with said mechanical drive members (28).