Adjustable keel for a sailboat

Abstract

A sailboat, which include an extendable keel having a moveable inner member positioned within a fixed keel and a control system for lowering or retracting the inner member.

1 . A keel for a sailboat comprising:
 an extendable keel comprising:
 an outer member; 
 an inner member, which is extends from within the outer member; and 
 a foil member attached to the inner member; and 
   a control system for lowering or retracting the inner member.   
   
   
       2 . The keel of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is comprised of an inner screw member and a winch system 
   
   
       3 . The keel of  claim 2 , wherein the winch system comprises a mechanical device that is used to control the relative position of the inner screw member and the inner member to the outer member, which in turn controls the depth of the foil member of the keel. 
   
   
       4 . The keel of  claim 1 , wherein the outer member is fixed. 
   
   
       5 . The keel of  claim 1 , wherein the foil member is a winged foil. 
   
   
       6 . The keel of  claim 1 , wherein the inner member is a telescoping inner member comprised of a plurality of inner members. 
   
   
       7 . The keel of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of inner members have a core containing a plurality of sealed air chambers, which are pressurized when the plurality of inner members are lowered. 
   
   
       8 . The keel of  claim 7 , further comprising an air compressor, which supplies pressurized air to the plurality of sealed air chambers to lower and retract the plurality of inner members. 
   
   
       9 . The keel of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one valve, which controls the pressurized air upon the lowering and retracting of the plurality of inner members. 
   
   
       10 . The keel of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable ballast system positioned within the inner member. 
   
   
       11 . The keel of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustable ballast system is comprised of a moveable weight positioned within the inner member and includes a ballast control system for adjusting a depth of the moveable weight within the inner member. 
   
   
       12 . A keel for a sailboat comprising:
 a fixed keel;   a moveable inner member positioned within the fixed keel; and   a control system for lowering or retracting the inner member.   
   
   
       13 . The keel of  claim 12 , wherein the control system is comprised of an inner screw member and a winch system 
   
   
       14 . The keel of  claim 13 , wherein the winch system comprises a mechanical device that is used to control the relative position of the inner screw member and the inner member, which in turn controls a depth of the inner member within the keel. 
   
   
       15 . The keel of  claim 12 , further comprising a winged foil member attached to the moveable inner member. 
   
   
       16 . A keel for a sailboat comprising:
 a keel member having an inner chamber;   an adjustable ballast system within the inner chamber; and   a ballast control system for adjusting a depth of the ballast system within the inner chamber.   
   
   
       17 . The keel of  claim 16 , further comprising a foil member attached to the keel member. 
   
   
       18 . The keel of  claim 17 , wherein the foil member is a winged foil. 
   
   
       19 . The keel of  claim 16 , wherein the adjustable ballast system is comprised of a moveable weight positioned within the inner member.