Vessel training device

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a vessel training device which comprises a sleeve adapted to be reversibly mounted and self retaining about the hull of a rowing boat or the like, and carrying one or more floats via a boom mounted to the sleeve.

1 . A vessel training device comprising a sleeve mountable about a hull of a vessel. 
     
     
         2 . A vessel training device according to  claim 1  in which the sleeve is reversibly mountable about a hull of a vessel. 
     
     
         3 . A vessel training device according to  claim 1  in which the sleeve is adapted to be self retaining about a hull of a vessel. 
     
     
         4 . A vessel training device according to  claim 1  in which the sleeve is at least partially comprised of a resiliently deformable material. 
     
     
         5 . A vessel training device according to  claim 1  comprising at least one float securable to the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . A vessel training device according to  claim 1  comprising a substantially rigid upper section adapted to overly an upper portion of a hull, and a resiliently deformable lower section adapted to overly a lower portion of a hull. 
     
     
         7 . A vessel training device according to  claim 6  in which the upper and lower sections of the sleeve are reversibly securable to one another. 
     
     
         8 . A vessel training device according to  claim 6  in which the lower section of the sleeve is dimensioned for a stretch fit around a lower portion of a hull. 
     
     
         9 . A vessel training device according to  claim 5  comprising a boom connected between the sleeve and the at least one float. 
     
     
         10 . A vessel training device according to  claim 9  comprising a pair of floats, a float being mounted on each free end of the boom. 
     
     
         11 . A vessel training device according to  claim 1  comprising at least one flow regulator mounted to or formed integrally with the sleeve and adapted to alter the hydrodynamics of a vessel. 
     
     
         12 . A vessel training device according to  claim 11  in which the flow regulator comprises one or more projections and/or raised portions on the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . A vessel training device according to  claim 11  in which the flow regulator comprises a fin adapted to generate drag during movement through water. 
     
     
         14 . A vessel training device according to  claim 11  in which the flow regulator is asymmetric in shape such as to be adapted to alter the hydrodynamic effect generated depending on the orientation in which the flow regulator is mounted on a vessel. 
     
     
         15 . A vessel training device according to  claim 11  in which the flow regulator comprises texturing or other surface finish on at least a portion of the sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . A vessel training device according to  claim 1  comprising a velocity profile indicator. 
     
     
         17 . A vessel training device according to  claim 15  in which the velocity profile indicator comprises at least one tube having first and second ends and positioned such that in use the first end is submerged and faces the direction of travel of a vessel to which the training device is mounted, while the second end is positioned to be out of the water during use. 
     
     
         18 . A vessel training device according to  claim 17  in which the second end is positioned such that during forward movement of a vessel a spout or jet of water issues from the second end at a location visible to a user of a vessel. 
     
     
         19 . A vessel training device according to  claim 1  in which a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the sleeve are tapered to reduce drag and/or turbulence generated by the sleeve while moving through water.