Support Block for a Watercraft

Abstract

A support block for a watercraft which can include a pontoon having a keel strip, comprises a curved upper surface for accommodating the bottom of the watercraft, wherein upper surface has a radius of curvature that is larger than the radius of curvature of the bottom of the watercraft, and the block is made from a material that will deform when loaded such that the upper surface will conform to the radius of the bottom of the watercraft. The upper surface of the block can have a notch for accommodating the keel strip.

1 . A support block for a watercraft having a bottom having an effective radius of curvature comprising:
 a deformable body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral wall connecting the upper and lower surface; and   a concave portion provided in the upper surface and having a radius of curvature that is greater than the effective radius of curvature of the bottom of the watercraft;   wherein the body is made from a material that will deform when loaded such that the concave portion will conform to the bottom of the watercraft.   
   
   
       2 . The support block according to  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises expanded polystyrene foam. 
   
   
       3 . The support block according to  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a density of approximately 1.1 lbs/ft 3  to 1.5 lbs/ft 3 . 
   
   
       4 . The support block according to  claim 1 , wherein the concave portion has radius of curvature of approximately 21 to 27 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The support block according to  claim 1 , wherein the concave portion has radius of curvature of approximately 25 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The support block according to  claim 1  and further comprising a channel formed in the upper surface for accommodating a keel strip on the bottom of the watercraft. 
   
   
       7 . The support block according to  claim 6 , wherein the channel is formed in the nadir of the concave portion. 
   
   
       8 . The support block according to  claim 6 , wherein the channel is V-shaped. 
   
   
       9 . The support block according to  claim 6 , wherein the channel is trapezoid-shaped. 
   
   
       10 . The support block according to  claim 1 , wherein upper surface further comprises a pair of planar portions that join the concave portion to the peripheral wall. 
   
   
       11 . The support block according to  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a rectilinear base defining the lower surface and the peripheral wall comprises a pair of opposing parallel walls and a pair of opposing angled walls joined to the base. 
   
   
       12 . The support block according to  claim 1 , wherein the watercraft is a pontoon boat having at least one pontoon, and the effective radius of curvature is the radius of curvature of the pontoon. 
   
   
       13 . A support block system for a pontoon boat having at least two pontoons, each with a predetermined radius of curvature, the system comprising:
 a plurality of support blocks, each support block comprising a deformable body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral wall connecting the upper and lower surface, and a concave portion provided in the upper surface and having a radius of curvature that is greater than the predetermined radius of curvature of the at least two pontoons, wherein the body is made from a material that will deform when loaded such that the concave portion will conform to the at least two pontoons.   
   
   
       14 . The support block system according to  claim 13 , wherein the material comprises expanded polystyrene foam. 
   
   
       15 . The support block system according to  claim 13 , wherein the material comprises a density of approximately 1.1 lbs/ft 3  to 1.5 lbs/ft 3 . 
   
   
       16 . The support block system according to  claim 13 , wherein the concave portion has radius of curvature of approximately 21 to 27 inches. 
   
   
       17 . The support block system according to  claim 13 , wherein the concave portion has radius of curvature of approximately 25 inches. 
   
   
       18 . The support block system according to  claim 13 , wherein each support block further comprises a channel formed in the upper surface for accommodating a keel strip on the at least two pontoons.