Sailing craft with wheels

Abstract

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a sailing craft having a frame, a sail affixed to the frame, and buoyant wheels. In one embodiment, the frame has four sides and has a rectangular shape. Two or more buoyant wheels are attached to one side of the frame, and two or more buoyant wheels are attached to the opposite side of the frame. Each buoyant wheel is capable of contributing to at least one of floatation, steering, and tracking. In one such embodiment, some or all of the wheels have a fin or fins on some or all of its perimeter.

1 . A sailing craft, comprising: 
 a frame;    a main sail affixed to the frame;    two buoyant wheels positioned on one side of the frame; and    two buoyant wheels positioned on the opposite side of the frame.    
   
   
       2 . The sailing craft of  claim 1  wherein at least one wheel comprises one or more fins around the wheel's perimeter.  
   
   
       3 . The sailing craft of  claim 2  wherein each of the at least one wheels comprises a wheel body, and the one or more respective fins are affixed to each respective wheel body.  
   
   
       4 . The sailing craft of  claim 2  wherein each of the at least one wheels comprises a wheel body, and the one or more respective fins are integral with each respective wheel body.  
   
   
       5 . The sailing craft of  claim 1  wherein at least two of the wheels are mounted to an axle that is attached to the frame such that each of the at least two respective wheels can rotate about the axle.  
   
   
       6 . The sailing craft of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the wheels are configured to turn with respect to the direction of the craft at the direction of a sailor to provide steering.  
   
   
       7 . The sailing craft of  claim 6 , wherein the forward one of the two buoyant wheels positioned on the one side of the frame and the forward one of the two buoyant wheels positioned on the opposite side of the frame each are configured to turn with respect to the direction of the craft to provide steering.  
   
   
       8 . The sailing craft of  claim 6 , wherein the aft one of the two buoyant wheels positioned on the one side of the frame and the aft one of the two buoyant wheels positioned on the opposite side of the frame each are configured to turn with respect to the direction of the craft to provide steering.  
   
   
       9 . The sailing craft of  claim 1 , further comprising two additional wheels, one additional wheel positioned on the one side of the frame and the other additional wheel positioned the opposite side of the frame.  
   
   
       10 . The sailing craft of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the wheels is designed to plane as speed increases.  
   
   
       11 . The sailing craft of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       12 . The sailing craft of  claim 11  wherein a deck comprising a trampoline is attached to the frame.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . The sailing craft of  claim 12  wherein the deck trampoline comprises polypropylene fabric attached to the frame.  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . The sailing craft of  claim 1  wherein each of the wheels provide at least one of steering, tracking, and floatation.  
   
   
       19 . The sailing craft of  claim 18  wherein each of the wheels provide at least two of steering, tracking, and floatation.  
   
   
       20 . The sailing craft of  claim 19  wherein at least one wheel provides all of steering, tracking, and floatation.  
   
   
       21 - 33 . (canceled)  
   
   
       34 . A sailing craft comprising a frame for supporting a sailor, a deck, a sail, and two or more wheels rotating about an axle, the axle attached to the frame, wherein the wheels are configured to plane at increased sailing speeds.  
   
   
       35 . A buoyant wheel for use on a sailing craft, comprising: 
 a rim configured for mounting on an axle such that the wheel rotates about the axle;    a buoyant body portion affixed to the rim; and    a fin around the outside perimeter of the body configured to provide at least one of tracking and steering.    
   
   
       36 . The wheel of  claim 35  wherein the fin is affixed to the body.  
   
   
       37 . The wheel of  claim 35  wherein the wheel is configured to plane at increased sailing speeds.