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 console. The console 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 console 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 console which defines at least one chamber extending through the panel, the console 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 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lower chamber opening defines a motor enclosure sized and configured to permit unobstructed rotation of a propulsion device, and wherein the motor enclosure is in fluidic communication with the longitudinal channel. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further including at least two side channels formed into the panel and extending from the motor enclosure for directing water away from the longitudinal channel. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the motor enclosure is a cylindrical enclosure. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including at least two side channels formed into the panel and extending from the lower chamber opening for directing water away from the longitudinal channel. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the console 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 console. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the propulsion device is either a combustion engine or an electric motor. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the propulsion device is an electric motor, and further including a power receptacle formed on the console for receiving a power plug from the electric motor. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein an electrical cord extends from the power receptacle to a battery, and the electrical cord is molded into the panel. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the propulsion device is an electric motor powered by a battery, and wherein the battery is configured to be re-charged or continuously charged by electrical attachment of the battery to one or more solar panels. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal channel is configured to taper at a first end region and at a second end region. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the console includes an L-shaped hinged member, which hinged member forms a portion of a side of the console adjacent to the upper chamber opening of the console, such that the hinged member can rotate away from the console to enlarge the upper chamber opening of the console, and which hinged member forms a transom configured for detachable attachment thereto of a propulsion device. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hinged member and the console side are configured to form a seal therebetween when the hinged member is brought into a locked position. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the panel further includes one or more spud tubes for receiving an anchoring member. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a textured bottom surface. 
   
   
       16 . A watercraft comprising:
 a hull which defines, on its underside, a longitudinal channel; and   at least one console which defines at least one chamber extending through the hull, the console being attached to or integral with the hull and defining an upper chamber opening and a lower chamber opening; and wherein the lower chamber opening defines a motor enclosure sized and configured to permit unobstructed rotation of a propulsion device, and wherein the motor enclosure is in fluidic communication with the longitudinal channel.   
   
   
       17 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , further including at least two side channels formed into the hull and extending from the motor enclosure for directing water away from the longitudinal channel. 
   
   
       18 . The watercraft of  claim 17 , wherein the motor enclosure is a cylindrical enclosure. 
   
   
       19 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , wherein the console 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 console. 
   
   
       20 . The watercraft of  claim 19 , wherein the propulsion device is an electric motor, and further including a power receptacle formed on the console for receiving a power plug from the electric motor. 
   
   
       21 . The watercraft of  claim 20 , wherein an electrical cord extends from the power receptacle to a battery, and the electrical cord is molded into the hull. 
   
   
       22 . The watercraft of  claim 19 , wherein the propulsion device is either a combustion engine or an electric motor. 
   
   
       23 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , wherein the longitudinal channel is configured to taper at a first end region and at a second end region. 
   
   
       24 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , wherein the hull further includes one or more spud tubes for receiving an anchoring member. 
   
   
       25 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , wherein the hull includes a textured bottom surface. 
   
   
       26 . The watercraft of  claim 16 , wherein the console comprises an L-shaped hinged member, which hinged member forms a portion of a side of the console adjacent to the upper chamber opening of the console, such that the hinged member can rotate away from the console to enlarge the upper chamber opening of the console, and which hinged member forms a transom configured for detachable attachment thereto of a propulsion device. 
   
   
       27 . The watercraft of  claim 26 , wherein the hinged member and the console are configured to form a seal therebetween when the hinged member is brought into a locked position. 
   
   
       28 . A method for retrofitting a watercraft to provide a location for detachable attachment of a propulsion device extending through a hull of the watercraft, 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 console which defines at least one chamber extending through the panel, the console defining an upper chamber opening and a lower chamber opening; and   sealing the panel to the hull.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 detachably attaching the propulsion device to a side of the console at the upper chamber opening of the console such that a propeller of the propulsion device extends through the lower chamber opening of the console.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 configuring the assembly such that the lower chamber opening defines a motor enclosure sized and configured to permit unobstructed rotation of a propulsion device, and wherein the motor enclosure is in fluidic communication with the longitudinal channel.