Watercraft Propulsion Apparatus

Abstract

A watercraft propulsion apparatus is provided. The watercraft propulsion apparatus includes a watercraft having a hull, wherein the hull has at least an interior side and an exterior side. A motorized device is positioned proximate to the interior side of the hull. A shaft is connected to a propeller structure and positioned proximate to the exterior side of the hull. A drive structure is mechanically connected between the motorized device and the shaft, wherein the drive structure is at least partially positioned within an opening in the hull, wherein the opening is connected between the interior side and the exterior side.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A watercraft propulsion apparatus comprising:
 a watercraft having a hull, wherein the hull has at least an interior side and an exterior side;   a motorized device positioned proximate to the interior side of the hull;   a shaft connected to a propeller structure and positioned proximate to the exterior side of the hull; and   a drive structure mechanically connected between the motorized device and the shaft, wherein the drive structure is at least partially positioned within an opening in the hull, wherein the opening is connected between the interior side and the exterior side.   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydrodynamic-shaped housing positioned on the exterior side of the hull and substantially housing the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the motorized device further comprises at least one electrically powered motor. 
     
     
         4 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shaft connected to at least one propeller. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive structure further comprises a means to transmit rotational motion to the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a means to flow water through the hydrodynamic-shaped fin′ for cooling and lubrication of the propeller shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing further comprises an open top to the interior side of the hull for internal installation, alteration, maintenance, removal and repair. 
     
     
         8 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing further comprises a means to provide water cooling to the motor. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing is comprised of curved vertical forward and rear pointed ends. 
     
     
         10 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing is comprised of a straight vertical acute angular front leading edge. 
     
     
         11 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the drive structure is comprised of a driveshaft positioned mechanically connected to the motorized device and the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the drive structure contains a flexible driveshaft mechanically connected to the motorized device and the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the drive structure includes a pulley and belt mechanically connected to the motorized device and the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the drive structure comprises of sprockets and chain mechanically connected to the motorized device and the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing includes a flange and gasket to locate and secure the housing through the inside opening in the hull with means of connection to the inside surface. 
     
     
         16 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing comprises a flange and gasket with means of attachment to secure said housing onto the outside surface over the opening in the bottom of the hull. 
     
     
         17 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing is comprised of composite or non-metallic material for lower weight. 
     
     
         18 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing is comprised of metal for the thermal transfer of heat. 
     
     
         19 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprised of a means to provide lift to the watercraft thereby reducing wetted surface and drag from the hull. 
     
     
         20 . The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising of a self contained and modular propulsion apparatus for installations under the hull of any watercraft old and new.