Out-Drive Protection Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus ( 10 ) for protecting the out-drive ( 13 ) of a watercraft ( 11 ) comprises a locating member ( 21 ) adapted for attachment to the underside of the marlin board ( 17 ) of the watercraft ( 10 ) and a shroud ( 23 ) engageable with the locating member ( 21 ) to provide an enclosure about the out-drive ( 13 ). The shroud ( 23 ) is buoyant and is adapted to be floated into sliding engagement with the locating member ( 21 ). The shroud ( 23 ) has an opening ( 40 ) which is closed upon engagement of the shroud ( 23 ) with the transom ( 15 ) of the watercraft ( 11 ) to prevent ingress of water into the interior of the shroud ( 23 ). A connection means ( 180 ) and the locking means ( 80 ) are provided for releasably connecting the shroud ( 23 ) to the locating member ( 21 ).

1 . Apparatus for protecting the out-drive of a watercraft, the apparatus comprising a locating member integral with or adapted for attachment to the marlin board of a watercraft, and a shroud engageable with the locating member to provide an enclosure about the out-drive.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the shroud is arranged for sliding engagement with the locating member.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the locating member comprises one or more rails and the shroud has one or more corresponding channels into which the rails can be slidingly received to effect sliding engagement therebetween.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein locating member further comprises an upper portion adapted to be secured beneath the marlin board, the rails being provided on the underside of the upper portion.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a connection means is provided for releasably connecting the shroud to the locating member when the or each rail of the locating member is fully located within its respective channel.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the connection means comprises two interlocking structures associated with each respective rail and channel.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the two interlocking structures comprise first and second elements configured as hooks for mating engagement.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the shroud has an opening through which the out-drive can pass upon movement of the shroud into engagement with the locating member, and means for closing the opening to prevent ingress of surrounding water into the interior of the shroud.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the means for closing the opening in the shroud utilises a part of the watercraft.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  the opening in the shroud is closed by a transom of the watercraft.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the marginal portion of the shroud about the opening is fitted with a seal for sealing engagement with the transom of the watercraft.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the shroud is adapted to be floated into engagement with the locating member.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the shroud has buoyancy.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein buoyancy for the shroud is provided by one or more floats.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising locking means for releasably locking the shroud into engagement with the locating member.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the locking means comprises at least one locking member in the form of an over-centre latch mounted on the shroud, the over-centre latch having a catch for releasably engaging a corresponding locking element on the locating member.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the latch provides a yieldingly resistive connection between the shroud and the locating member for urging the shroud into sealing engagement with the transom of the watercraft.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the locking means comprises two over-centre latches each located in a respective one of two of said channels in the shroud.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the shroud comprises a top wall incorporating a port fitted with a removable closure to facilitate access to the region within the shroud when the shroud is in engagement with the locating member.  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the shroud has a bottom wall of the shroud incorporating a sump for collection of water accumulating within the shroud.  
   
   
       21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein a pump is associated with the sump for discharging accumulated water from within the shroud.  
   
   
       22 . Apparatus for protecting the out-drive of a watercraft, the apparatus comprising a locating member integral with or adapted for attachment to the marlin board of a watercraft, and a shroud slidingly engageable with the locating member to provide an enclosure about the out-drive.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus for protecting the out-drive of a watercraft, the apparatus comprising a locating member integral with or adapted for attachment to a portion of the watercraft located above the out-drive, and a shroud engageable with the locating member to provide an enclosure about the out-drive, the shroud having an opening through which the out-drive can pass upon movement of the shroud into engagement with the locating member, the shroud being adapted for sealing contact with a portion of the watercraft about the out-drive for closing the opening to prevent ingress of surrounding water into the interior of the shroud.  
   
   
       24 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the portion of the watercraft above the out-drive comprise a marlin board.  
   
   
       25 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the portion of the watercraft about the out-drive comprises a transom.  
   
   
       26 . Apparatus for protecting the out-drive of a watercraft, the apparatus comprising a locating member integral with or adapted for attachment to a portion of the watercraft located above the out-drive, and a shroud engageable with the locating member to provide an enclosure about the out-drive, the shroud comprises a top wall incorporating a port fitted with a removable closure to facilitate access to the region enclosed within the shroud when the shroud is in engagement with the locating member.  
   
   
       27 . An out-drive protection apparatus comprising a shroud and a locating member, the locating member being adapted for attachment to the marlin board of a watercraft, the shroud engageable with the locating member to provide an enclosure about the out-drive.  
   
   
       28 . (canceled)