Boat Buoyancy Tube Retention

Abstract

A system and method of installing an outer cover over a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat includes installing a first portion of an outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets. A second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element. The first portion is connected to the second portion such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of installing an outer cover over a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat, the method comprising:
 installing a first portion of an outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets;   installing a second portion of the outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element;   connecting the first portion to the second portion such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy tube is made of foam. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein connecting includes adjusting each of the mail connective elements in relation to their associated female connective element to provide a desired outer cover tension. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the outer cover includes a bolt rope, and wherein installing the first portion of the outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat includes sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the outer cover includes a bolt rope, and wherein installing the second portion of the outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat includes sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising installing the buoyant tube onto the rigid hull buoyant boat prior to installing the first and second portions of the outer cover. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the male and female connective elements form a connector selected from the group consisting of a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and a tie wrap connection. 
     
     
         8 . A system for covering a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat, the system including:
 a first portion of an outer cover removably coupled to a hull of the boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets; and   a second portion of the outer cover removably coupled to the hull of the boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element,   the first portion connectable to the second portion via the male and female connective elements such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting the first and second portions includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the buoyancy tube is made of foam. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the male and female connective elements when connected are adjustable so as to provide a desired outer cover tension. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the first portion of the outer cover includes a bolt rope, and wherein the first portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the second portion of the outer cover includes a bolt rope, and wherein the second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the male and female connective elements form a connector selected from the group consisting of a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and a tie wrap connection. 
     
     
         14 . A outer cover for a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat, the cover including:
 a first portion for removably coupling to a hull of the boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets and a bolt rope, wherein the first portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat; and   a second portion for removably coupling to the hull of the boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element, the second portion of the further including a bolt rope, wherein the second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat,   wherein the first portion is connectable to the second portion via the male and female connective elements such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting the first and second portions includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element, and wherein the male and female connective elements when connected are adjustable so as to provide a desired outer cover tension.   
     
     
         15 . The outer cover according to  claim 14 , wherein the male and female connective elements form a connector selected from the group consisting of a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and a tie wrap connection.