Propulsion system for a watercraft

Abstract

A propulsion system for a watercraft including a motor and a drive connected to the motor. At least one belt is carried by the drive. The belt includes at least one paddle extending outwardly from the belt.

1 . A propulsion system for a watercraft, comprising: 
 a motor;    a drive connected to said motor; and    at least one belt carried by said drive, said belt including at least one paddle extending outwardly from said belt.    
   
   
       2 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said motor is inboard the watercraft, and said drive is at least partially outboard the watercraft.  
   
   
       3 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said motor is inboard the watercraft, and said drive is at least partially inboard the watercraft.  
   
   
       4 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein both said motor and said drive are outboard the watercraft.  
   
   
       5 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one belt is a plurality of belts.  
   
   
       6 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said drive is at least one of a direct drive, a hydraulic drive, an electrical drive and a mechanical drive.  
   
   
       7 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one paddle is configured to engage a surface of water in a plane approximately parallel with a bottom of the watercraft.  
   
   
       8 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one paddle includes a paddle length, said at least one paddle is configured to extend below a bottom of the watercraft by no more than said paddle length.  
   
   
       9 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one paddle is orthogonal to a running direction of said belt.  
   
   
       10 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one paddle includes a plurality of paddles spaced apart between 4 to 12 inches.  
   
   
       11 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one paddle extends from said belt between 2 to 6 inches.  
   
   
       12 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one paddle is formed from at least one of an elastomer, a metal and a composite material.  
   
   
       13 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the watercraft includes a hull with an outside contour, said belt configured for extending said at least one paddle both on an inside of said contour and an outside of said contour.  
   
   
       14 . A watercraft, comprising: 
 a hull;    a propulsion system connected to said hull, said propulsion system including:    a motor;    a drive connected to said motor; and    at least one belt carried by said drive, said belt including at least one paddle extending outwardly from said belt.    
   
   
       15 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said motor is inboard the watercraft, and said drive is at least partially outboard the watercraft.  
   
   
       16 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said motor is inboard the watercraft, and said drive is at least partially inboard the watercraft.  
   
   
       17 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein both said motor and said drive are outboard the watercraft.  
   
   
       18 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one belt is a plurality of belts.  
   
   
       19 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said drive is at least one of a direct drive, a hydraulic drive, an electrical drive and a mechanical drive.  
   
   
       20 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one paddle is configured to engage a surface of water in a plane approximately parallel with a bottom of the watercraft.  
   
   
       21 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one paddle includes a paddle length, said at least one paddle is configured to extend below a bottom of the watercraft by no more than said paddle length.  
   
   
       22 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one paddle is orthogonal to a running direction of said belt.  
   
   
       23 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one paddle includes a plurality of paddles spaced apart between  4  to  12  inches.  
   
   
       24 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one paddle extends from said belt between 2 to 6 inches.  
   
   
       25 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one paddle is formed from at least one of an elastomer, a metal and a composite material.  
   
   
       26 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein said watercraft includes a hull with an outside contour, said belt configured for extending said at least one paddle both on an inside of said contour and an outside of said contour.  
   
   
       27 . A method of propulsion for a watercraft, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a watercraft with a motor connected to a drive;    connecting a belt to said drive, said belt including at least paddle extending outwardly from said belt; and    rotating said belt in a body of water.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , further including the step of extending said at least one paddle both on an inside of a hull contour of the watercraft and an outside of said contour.