Boat hull with air augmented center v-hull and aerated sponsons

Abstract

Boat hull having aerated longitudinal hydrosponsons with air injection into tunnels and distribution to generate bubbles across central running surfaces.

1 . A hull for a boat adapted for operation on a water surface, said hull having a bow and a stem, comprising:
 a center V-hull portion extending substantially from said bow to said stem, and including a pair of angled panels symmetrically positioned about a hull center plane, said panels defining a V-hull apex line, said angled panels each defining a V-hull dead rise angle measured from said apex line relative to a normal plane containing said apex line and perpendicular to said hull center plane;   first and second opposed mid hull sponsons, positioned on opposite sides of said V-hull portion, each mid hull sponson including a lower most running surface and connected to said V-hull portions by reverse deadrise panels, whereby said mid-hull sponsons, and said V-hull portion, together with said water surface, define a pair of mid-hull air capturing tunnels while minimizing the wetted surface area of said mid-hull sponsons;   first and second outer V-hull panels extending outwardly and upwardly from said mid hull sponsons;   air augmentation conduit extending from an opening at the bow of the boat to an air inlet inboard of said mid-hull sponsons to inject air into the tunnel formed by said mid hull sponsons and said V-hull section, and   gunwales extending upwardly from said sponsons.   
     
     
         2 . A hull for a boat adapted for operation on a water surface, said hull having a bow and a stem, comprising:
 a V-hull portion extending substantially from said bow to said stem, and including a pair of angled panels symmetrically positioned about a hull center plane, said panels defining a V-hull apex line, said angled panels each defining a V-hull dead rise angle measured from said apex line relative to a normal plane containing said apex line and perpendicular to said hull center plane;   first and second strakes extending over a portion of the V-hull portion with the forward end thereof positioned to capture air and conduct said air along the keelward side of said strake; and, bubble forming discontinuities extending keelward from said strakes to draw air from adjacent said strakes and form bubbles across at least a portion of said V-hull portion.   
     
     
         3 . The hull of  claim 2  wherein said discontinuities are angled stemward from said strakes across at least a portion of said V-hull portion. 
     
     
         4 . The hull of  claim 3  wherein said discontinuities are angled at 20°-75° to said keel. 
     
     
         5 . The hull of  claim 3  wherein said discontinuities are angled at 30°-60° to said keel. 
     
     
         6 . The hull of  claim 3  wherein said discontinuities are angled at 45° to said keel. 
     
     
         7 . The hull of  claim 2  wherein said discontinuities are formed by overlapping sheets of aluminum welded to said V-hull.