Boat Stabilization

Abstract

A technique for stabilizing a boat in open water against a stationary structure is disclosed. The boat has a fender at one end comprising a resilient material, and the boat is urged against the structure to engage the resilient material with the structure. The frictional engagement in combination with the urging force is sufficient to prevent the engaged fender from slipping down the structure. In this way so long as the engagement is sustained, the boat is stabilized against the structure.

1 . A method of stabilizing a floating craft against a stationary structure in which the craft has at one end a beam with an exposed surface comprising a resilient material, in which method the craft is used against the structure to engage the resilient material therewith, the frictional engagement in combination with the urging force being sufficient to prevent the engaged beam from shipping downwards relative to the structure.  
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the frictional engagement permits slippage of the beam upwards relative to the structure.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the exposed surface of the beam is adapted to facilitate said upward slippage.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the resilient material comprises rubber.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein the resilient material comprises a rubber sleeve around a resilient foam core.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to any  claim 1  wherein the beam is part of the craft.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the beam is part of an assembly fitted to the craft.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the craft has a bow and a stem, with a motor for propelling the craft from the stem, and wherein the beam is as the bow.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the craft is a monohull boat.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the craft is a multihull boat.  
   
   
       11 . A water going craft fitted with a beam having an exposed surface comprising a resilient material at an end thereof for engagement with a stationary structure, the exposed surface being adapted upon said engagement with sufficient pressure, to prevent downward slippage of the beam relative to the structure.  
   
   
       12 . A water going craft according to  claim 11  equipped with a motor with a drive mechanism at the other end of the craft for generating said pressure.  
   
   
       13 . A water going craft according to  claim 12  wherein the drive mechanism comprises an impeller.  
   
   
       14 . A water going craft according to claim  111  wherein the resilient material comprises rubber.  
   
   
       15 . A water going craft according to  claim 14  wherein the resilient material comprises a rubber sleeve around a resilient foam.  
   
   
       16 . A water going craft according to  claim 11  wherein the beam is part of an assembly fitted to the craft.  
   
   
       17 . A monohull water going craft according to  claim 11 .  
   
   
       18 . A multihull water going craft according to  claim 11 .  
   
   
       19 . An assembly for fitting to a water going craft comprising a beam having an exposed surface comprising a resilient material at an end thereof for engagement with a stationary structure, the exposed surface being adapted upon said engagement with sufficient pressure, to prevent downward slippage of the beam relative to the structure.  
   
   
       20 . An assembly according to  claim 19  wherein the resilient material comprises rubber.  
   
   
       21 . An assembly according to  claim 20  wherein the resilient material comprises a rubber sleeve around a resilient foam core.