Water craft stabilizing device

Abstract

A device for stabilizing boats and other water craft that is generally blade-shaped and attaches to the body or hull of the boat. The stabilizing device projects generally outwardly and downwardly from the boat and is pivotally connected along the vertical axis at the attachment point to the water craft. The device improves the stability of the boat and resists unwanted drift either from a stationary position or from a desired heading.

1 . A generally blade-shaped device for use in stabilizing boats, water craft, and other vehicles, said device comprising: 
 at least one generally blade-shaped extension having a top edge, a bottom edge, a proximal end and a distal end, and two stabilizing surfaces    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises a connecting means to attach said proximal end of said stabilizing device to said vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said connecting means further comprises a disconnecting means so that the device may be removed and reattached to said vehicle.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said stabilizing surfaces are oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said bottom edge is angled downward relative to said top edge in the direction from said proximal end to said distal end.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said top edge and said bottom edge narrow in the direction from said proximal end towards said distal end.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said blade-shaped device is attached to the structure of said boat, water craft, or vehicle at an angle outward and downward from said vehicle such that part or all of the stabilizing surfaces of the device are immersed in the water.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said connecting means further comprises a hinging means wherein said hinging means allows said stabilizing device to move or be moved about said hinging means in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . The device of in  claim 6  wherein said stabilizing device is further attached to said boat or other water craft by a restraining means at an attachment point on said stabilizing device and at an attachment point on said vehicle such that the downward range of motion of said stabilizing device is limited to a maximum desired downward angle.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said restraining means is a rope, line, cord, spring, or other flexible and/or stretchable device.  
   
   
       11 . A generally blade-shaped device for use in stabilizing vehicles such as boats and other water craft, said device comprising at least one generally blade-shaped extension having a top edge, a bottom edge, a proximal end and a distal end, and two stabilizing surfaces; a connecting means to attach said proximal end to said vehicle; a restraining means at an attachment point on said stabilizing device and at an attachment point on said vehicle such that the downward range of motion of said stabilizing device is limited to a maximum desired downward angle.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said top edge and said bottom edge narrow in the direction from said proximal end towards said distal end.