Trim for Use with Watercraft

Abstract

A trim or rub rail for use with a watercraft including a trim member having a front surface and a rear surface, with an upper surface connecting the front surface with the rear surface. The trim member includes a lower surface and a collection surface disposed below the lower surface. The collection surface including a discharge area wherein fluid traveling along and over the trim or rub rail collects at the collection surface and is discharged at the discharge area. The collection surface forming a barrier to reduce fluid flow due to surface tension and/or water adhesion forces along the lower surface of the trim member and ultimately to the hull portion of the watercraft.

1 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft comprising:
 a trim member, said trim member having a rear surface and a front surface;   said trim member including an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface extending between and connecting said front and rear surfaces, said upper surface tapering inward, toward said lower surface, as it extends from said rear surface to said front surface;   a portion of said lower surface configured to form a collecting surface, said collecting surface extending outwardly from said lower surface, said collecting surface including a discharge area; and   said upper surface, front surface and collection surface cooperating to form an uninterrupted fluid path wherein fluid flowing on said upper surface flows on said front surface to said collection surface and exits said trim member at said discharge area such that said collection surface provides a barrier to fluid travel along said lower surface.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said trim member includes an aperture extending from said front surface to said rear surface. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said collection surface is spaced horizontally below said lower surface. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said discharge area is located between said front surface and said lower surface. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said discharge area is located horizontally below said lower surface. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  including said collecting surface having an arcuate cross section. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  including said collecting surface having convex configuration. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  including said upper surface having an arcuate cross section. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 1  including a trim strip located adjacent said front surface, said trim strip attached to said front surface and forming a portion of said fluid path such that said fluid flows over said trim strip. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for use with a watercraft as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said trim member includes an aperture extending from said front surface to said rear surface and said trim strip includes an aperture therein such that a fastener extending through said aperture in said trim strip and said aperture in said trim member engages and secures said trim member to said watercraft. 
   
   
       11 . A watercraft comprising:
 a hull;   a trim member disposed on said watercraft above said hull, said trim member including a collection surface, said collection surface operative to collect fluid flowing over said trim member and discharge said fluid away from said hull whereby said fluid flows along a path other than on said hull.   
   
   
       12 . A watercraft as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said trim member includes an upper surface and a lower surface wherein a portion of said collection surface is spaced horizontally below said lower surface. 
   
   
       13 . A watercraft as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said collection surface includes a discharge area. 
   
   
       14 . A watercraft as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said trim member defines a fluid flow path wherein fluid flows on said trim member along said flow path to said collection surface. 
   
   
       15 . A watercraft as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said trim member includes a front surface and said collection surface is located between said front surface and said lower surface. 
   
   
       16 . A watercraft as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said trim member includes a front surface and a rear surface, said trim member having an aperture extending from said front surface to said rear surface;
 a trim strip, said trim strip having an aperture therein, said trim strip located adjacent said front surface of said trim member; and   a fastener, said fastener extending through said aperture in said trim strip, said aperture in said trim member and received in said hull whereby said fastener secures said trim strip and said trim member to said hull.   
   
   
       17 . A watercraft as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said collection surface has a convex configuration. 
   
   
       18 . A watercraft comprising:
 a hull;   means secured to said watercraft for redirected fluid draining over said means away from said hull whereby said fluid is directed away from said watercraft such that it does not travel along said hull.   
   
   
       19 . A watercraft as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said means secured to said watercraft for redirecting fluid includes a collection surface having a convex configuration. 
   
   
       20 . A watercraft as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said means secured to said watercraft for redirecting fluid includes a trim member having an upper surface and a lower surface with at least a portion of said collection surface being spaced horizontally below said lower surface.