Hybrid hull

Abstract

An improved hybrid boat hull adapted for use with a motor. The boat hull structure combines the handling characteristics of a v-hull design with a speed and acceleration characteristics of a tunnel-hull design. A transom recess is positioned approximate the aft portion of the stern, defining an upper portion and a lower portion which is offset forward of the upper portion. A tunnel recess is provided which includes a forward and an aft end. The tunnel recess cooperates with portions of the port and starboard side, such that the handling and acceleration features of the boat are enhanced.

1 . An improved boat hull of the type adapted for use with a motor, said boat hull having a conventional V-shaped design including at least one bow, keel, stern, port side, starboard side, port wall, starboard wall, transom, at-rest displacement waterline, and full planing waterline; the improvement comprising: 
 a transom recess positioned proximate an aft portion of said stern, said transom recess defining a transom upper portion and a transom lower portion, said transom lower portion being offset forward of said transom upper portion; and,    a tunnel recess having a forward end and an aft end, said tunnel recess forward end interrupting said keel proximate a point located along said keel, said tunnel recess extending aft toward said stem, said tunnel recess being open at said aft end adjacent said transom lower portion;    whereby said tunnel recess cooperates with portions of said port side and said starboard side aft of said intersection point to define a port sponson and a starboard sponson, each of said port sponson and said starboard sponson defining a pad.    
   
   
       2 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , said transom recess further defining a spray deflector, said spray deflector connecting an upper edge of said transom lower portion to a lower edge of said transom upper portion.  
   
   
       3 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , said transom recess further defining: 
 a first spray deflector, said first spray deflector connecting an upper edge of said transom lower portion to a lower edge of said transom upper portion; and,    at least one additional spray deflector, each of said at least one additional spray deflector comprising a surface positioned substantially aft of said transom lower portion.    
   
   
       4 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , wherein said point between said keel and said tunnel recess is positioned between said at-rest displacement waterline and said full planing waterline.  
   
   
       5 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , said tunnel recess defining a longitudinal passageway beginning at said point and widening to extend aft toward said stern.  
   
   
       6 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , said tunnel recess being substantially symmetrical about a plane defined by said keel.  
   
   
       7 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , whereby a forward portion of said tunnel recess is vertically tapered such that said tunnel recess is positioned substantially above said point between said keel and said tunnel recess.  
   
   
       8 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , whereby: 
 said transom recess further defines a first spray deflector, said first spray deflector connecting an upper edge of said transom lower portion to a lower edge of said transom upper portion, and whereby said transom recess further defines at least one additional spray deflector, each of said at least one additional spray deflector comprising a surface positioned substantially aft of said transom lower portion;    said point between said keel and said tunnel recess is positioned between said at-rest displacement waterline and said full planing waterline; and,    said tunnel recess defines a longitudinal passageway beginning at said point and extending aft toward said stern, said longitudinal passageway being substantially symmetrical about a plane defined by said keel, a forward portion of said tunnel recess being vertically tapered such that said tunnel recess is positioned substantially above said point between said keel and said tunnel recess.    
   
   
       9 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , said improvement further comprising a counterbalancing means for limiting bow rise during acceleration of said boat hull, said counterbalancing means comprising a ballast cavity positioned proximate said bow above said keel, said ballast cavity being configured substantially below said at-rest displacement waterline such as to allow said ballast cavity to substantially fill with water when said boat hull is positioned in an at-rest displacement position.  
   
   
       10 . The improved boat hull of  claim 9 , said counterbalancing means comprising: 
 a ballast cavity extending forward from said tunnel recess forward end, said ballast cavity being positioned substantially above said keel, said ballast cavity being configured substantially below said at-rest displacement waterline such as to allow said ballast cavity to substantially fill with water when said boat hull is positioned in an at-rest displacement position; and,    a damper for regulating regulate the flow of water out of said ballast cavity.    
   
   
       11 . The improved boat hull of  claim 9 , said counterbalancing means comprising: 
 a ballast cavity extending forward from said tunnel recess forward end, said ballast cavity being positioned substantially above said keel, said ballast cavity being configured substantially below said at-rest displacement waterline such as to allow said ballast cavity to substantially fill with water when said boat hull is positioned in an at-rest displacement position;    a damper for regulating the flow of water out of said ballast cavity, said dampener comprising a screen hinged to said ballast cavity proximate said tunnel recess forward end; and    a piston connecting said damper to said ballast cavity, said piston being configured to allow said damper to be selectively positioned between an open and a closed position.    
   
   
       12 . The improved boat hull of  claim 1 , said improvement further comprising: 
 a ballast cavity extending forward from said tunnel recess forward end, said ballast cavity being positioned substantially above said keel, said ballast cavity being configured substantially below said at-rest displacement waterline such as to allow said ballast cavity to substantially fill with water when said boat hull is positioned in an at-rest displacement position; and,    a damper for regulating the flow of water out of said ballast cavity, said dampener comprising a screen fixedly attached to said ballast cavity proximate said tunnel recess forward end; and whereby,    said transom recess further defines a first spray deflector, said first spray deflector connecting an upper edge of said transom lower portion to a lower edge of said transom upper portion, and whereby said transom recess further defines at least one additional spray deflector, each of said at least one additional spray deflector comprising a surface positioned substantially aft of said transom lower portion;    said point between said keel and said tunnel recess is positioned between    said at-rest displacement waterline and said full planing waterline; and, said tunnel recess defines a longitudinal passageway beginning at said point and extending aft toward said stern, said longitudinal passageway being substantially symmetrical about a plane defined by said keel, a forward portion of said tunnel recess being vertically tapered such that said tunnel recess is positioned substantially above said point between said keel and said tunnel recess.    
   
   
       13 . An improved boat hull of the type adapted for use with a motor, said boat hull having a conventional V-shaped design including at least one bow, keel, stern, port side, starboard side, port wall, starboard wall, transom, at-rest displacement waterline, and full planing waterline; the improvement comprising: 
 a tunnel recess having a forward end and an aft end, said tunnel recess forward end interrupting said keel proximate a point located along said keel, said tunnel recess extending aft toward said stern, said tunnel recess being open at said aft end adjacent said transom lower portion; and    a ventilation means for ventilating said tunnel recess, said ventilation means comprising: 
 an intake opening positioned along an exterior surface of said bow; and,  
 an air duct connecting said tunnel recess to said intake opening, said air duct being configured to allow air to enter and leave said tunnel recess;  
   whereby said tunnel recess cooperates with portions of said port side and said starboard side aft of said intersection point to define a port sponson and a starboard sponson, each of said port sponson and said starboard sponson defining a pad.    
   
   
       14 . The improved boat hull of  claim 13 , said means for ventilating said tunnel recess comprising: 
 an intake opening positioned proximate a forward surface of said bow above the at-rest displacement waterline; and,    an air duct extending forward from said tunnel recess forward end, said air duct being positioned substantially above said keel, said air duct connecting said tunnel recess to said intake opening, said air duct being configured to allow air to enter and leave said tunnel recess.    
   
   
       15 . The improved boat hull of  claim 14 , said means for ventilating said tunnel recess further comprising: 
 a damper for regulating the flow of water out of said air duct, said dampener comprising a screen fixed to proximate an intersection of said air duct and said tunnel recess forward end.    
   
   
       16 . The improved boat hull of  claim 14 , said means for ventilating said tunnel recess further comprising: 
 a damper for regulating the flow of water out of said air duct, said dampener comprising a screen fixed to proximate an intersection of said air duct and said tunnel recess forward end; and    a piston connecting said damper to said ballast cavity, said piston being configured to allow said damper to be selectively positioned between an open and a closed position.    
   
   
       17 . An improved boat hull of the type adapted for use with a motor, said boat hull having a conventional V-shaped design including at least one bow, keel, stern, port side, starboard side, port wall, starboard wall, transom, at-rest displacement waterline, and full planing waterline; the improvement comprising: 
 a transom recess positioned proximate an aft portion of said stern, said transom recess defining a transom upper portion and a transom lower portion, said transom lower portion being offset forward of said transom upper portion, said transom recess further defining a first spray deflector, said first spray deflector connecting an upper edge of said transom lower portion to a lower edge of said transom upper portion, said transom recess further defining at least one additional spray deflector, each of said at least one additional spray deflector comprising a surface positioned substantially aft of said transom lower portion;    a tunnel recess having a forward end and an aft end, said tunnel recess forward end interrupting said keel proximate a point located along said keel, said point between said keel and said tunnel recess being positioned between said at-rest displacement waterline and said full planing waterline, said tunnel recess defining a longitudinal passageway beginning at said point and extending aft toward said stem, said longitudinal passageway being substantially symmetrical about a plane defined by said keel, said tunnel recess forward portion being vertically tapered such that said tunnel recess is positioned substantially above said point between said keel and said tunnel recess, said tunnel recess being open at said aft end adjacent said transom lower portion;    an intake opening positioned proximate a forward surface of said bow above the at-rest displacement waterline; and,    an air duct connecting said tunnel recess forward end to said intake opening, said air duct being configured to allow air to enter and leave said tunnel recess;    whereby said tunnel recess cooperates with portions of said port side and said starboard side aft of said intersection point to define a port sponson and a starboard sponson, each of said port sponson and said starboard sponson defining a pad.    
   
   
       18 . An improved boat hull of the type adapted for use with a motor, said boat hull having a conventional V-shaped design including at least one bow, keel, stern, port side, starboard side, port wall, starboard wall, transom, at-rest displacement waterline, and full planing waterline; the improvement comprising: 
 a transom recess positioned proximate an aft portion of said stern, said transom recess defining a transom upper portion and a transom lower portion, said transom lower portion being offset forward of said transom upper portion, said transom recess further defining a first spray deflector, said first spray deflector connecting an upper edge of said transom lower portion to a lower edge of said transom upper portion, said transom recess further defining at least one additional spray deflector, each of said at least one additional spray deflector comprising a surface positioned substantially aft of said transom lower portion;    a tunnel recess having a forward end and an aft end, said tunnel recess forward end interrupting said keel proximate a point located along said keel, said point between said keel and said tunnel recess being positioned between said at-rest displacement waterline and said full planing waterline, said tunnel recess defining a longitudinal passageway beginning at said point and extending aft toward said stem, said longitudinal passageway being substantially symmetrical about a plane defined by said keel, said tunnel recess forward portion being vertically tapered such that said tunnel recess is positioned substantially above said point between said keel and said tunnel recess, said tunnel recess being open at said aft end adjacent said transom lower portion;    an intake opening positioned proximate a forward surface of said bow above the at-rest displacement waterline;    an air duct connecting said tunnel recess forward end to said intake opening, said air duct being configured to allow air to enter and leave said tunnel recess;    a ballast cavity extending forward from said tunnel recess forward end, said ballast cavity being positioned substantially above said keel, said ballast cavity being configured substantially below said at-rest displacement waterline such as to allow said ballast cavity to substantially fill with water when said boat hull is positioned in an at-rest displacement position,    a damper for regulating the flow of water out of said ballast cavity, said dampener comprising a screen hinged to said ballast cavity proximate said tunnel recess forward end; and    a piston connecting said damper to said ballast cavity, said piston being configured to allow said damper to be selectively positioned between an open and a closed position;    whereby said tunnel recess cooperates with portions of said port side and said starboard side aft of said intersection point to define a port sponson and a starboard sponson, each of said port sponson and said starboard sponson defining a pad.