Assembly For Retrofitting Watercraft And Method

Abstract

An assembly for retrofitting the hull of a watercraft is presented, which includes an elongated panel which defines a longitudinal channel and at least one chamber housing. The chamber housing defines at least one chamber extending through the panel and an upper chamber opening and a lower chamber opening. The panel is sized and configured to attach to the hull at an opening in the hull, and to form a seal between the panel and the hull at the hull opening. The chamber housing of the assembly is sized and configured to receive a detachably attached propulsion device. Also presented is a watercraft having integral thereto the assembly, and a method for retrofitting a watercraft to provide a location for detachable attachment of a propulsion device such as a trolling motor.

1 . An assembly for retrofitting the hull of a watercraft, which assembly comprises:
 an elongated panel which defines a longitudinal channel; and   at least one chamber housing which defines at least one chamber extending through the panel, the chamber housing defining an upper chamber opening and a lower chamber opening,   
     wherein the panel is sized and configured to attach to the hull at an opening in the hull, and to form a seal between the panel and the hull at the hull opening. 
   
   
       2 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the panel comprises at least one pair of fins aligned (i) longitudinally, (ii) proximate to, and (iii) with a fin of the pair of fins disposed at an opposite side of the lower chamber opening of the chamber housing from the other fin of the pair of fins. 
   
   
       3 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the chamber housing is sized and configured to receive a detachably attached propulsion device, such that a propeller of the propulsion device extends through the chamber and the lower chamber opening of the chamber housing, when the assembly is attached to the hull at the hull opening. 
   
   
       4 . An assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the propulsion device is either a combustion engine or an electric motor. 
   
   
       5 . An assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the propulsion device is a battery-powered electric motor and the battery is configured to be re-charged or continuously charged by electrical attachment of the battery to one or more solar panels. 
   
   
       6 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein side portions of the chamber housing at the lower chamber opening of the chamber housing are configured to be cambered, and wherein the chamber housing is configured to comprise sloping side regions. 
   
   
       7 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the channel is configured to taper at a first end region and at a second end region. 
   
   
       8 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the chamber housing comprises an L-shaped hinged member, which hinged member forms a portion of a side of the chamber housing adjacent to the upper chamber opening of the chamber housing, such that the hinged member can swing out from the side of the chamber housing to enlarge the upper chamber opening of the chamber housing, and which hinged member forms an adjustable transom configured for detachable attachment thereto of a propulsion device. 
   
   
       9 . An assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the hinged member and the chamber housing side are configured to form a seal therebetween when the hinged member is brought into a locked position. 
   
   
       10 . A watercraft comprising:
 a hull which defines, on its underside, a longitudinal channel; and   at least one chamber housing which defines at least one chamber extending through the hull, the chamber housing being attached to or integral with the hull and defining an upper chamber opening and a lower chamber opening.   
   
   
       11 . A watercraft according to  claim 10  further comprising one or more pairs of fins aligned (i) longitudinally, (ii) proximate to, and (iii) with a fin of the pair of fins disposed at an opposite side of the lower chamber opening of the chamber housing from the other fin of the pair of fins. 
   
   
       12 . A watercraft according to  claim 10  wherein the chamber housing is sized and configured to receive a detachably attached propulsion device, such that a propeller of the propulsion device extends through the chamber and the lower chamber opening of the chamber housing. 
   
   
       13 . A watercraft according to  claim 12  wherein the propulsion device is either a combustion engine or an electric motor. 
   
   
       14 . A watercraft according to  claim 10  wherein side portions of the chamber housing, at the lower chamber opening of the chamber housing, are configured to be cambered and wherein the chamber housing is configured to comprise sloping side regions. 
   
   
       15 . A watercraft according to  claim 10  wherein the channel is configured to taper at a first end region and at a second end region. 
   
   
       16 . A watercraft according to  claim 10  wherein the chamber housing comprises an L-shaped hinged member, which hinged member forms a portion of a side of the chamber housing adjacent to the upper chamber opening of the chamber housing, such that the hinged member can swing out from the side of the chamber housing to enlarge the upper chamber opening of the chamber housing, and which hinged member forms an adjustable transom configured for detachable attachment thereto of a propulsion device. 
   
   
       17 . A watercraft according to  claim 16  wherein the hinged member and the chamber housing are configured to form a seal therebetween when the hinged member is brought into a locked position. 
   
   
       18 . A method for retrofitting a watercraft to provide a location for detachable attachment of a propulsion device extending through a hull of the water craft, which method comprises:
 creating an opening through the hull of the watercraft;   attaching to the hull, at the opening, an assembly comprising (I) an elongated panel which defines a longitudinal channel, and (II) at least one chamber housing which defines at least one chamber extending through the panel, the chamber housing defining an upper chamber opening and a lower chamber opening; and   sealing the panel to the hull.   
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18  further comprising:
 detachably attaching the propulsion device to a side of the chamber housing at the upper chamber opening of the chamber housing such that a propeller of the propulsion device extends through the lower chamber opening of the chamber housing.   
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18  further comprising:
 configuring the assembly such that the panel comprises at least one pair of fins aligned (i) longitudinally, (ii) proximate to, and (iii) with a fin of the pair of fins disposed at an opposite side of the lower chamber opening of the chamber housing from the other fin of the pair of fins.   
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 18  further comprising:
 configuring the assembly such that the chamber housing comprises an L-shaped, hinged member, which hinged member forms a portion of a side of the chamber housing adjacent to the upper chamber opening of the chamber housing, such that the hinged member can swing out from the side of the chamber housing to enlarge the upper chamber opening of the chamber housing, and which hinged member forms an adjustable transom configured for detachable attachment thereto of the propulsion device.