Wake shaping device and system

Abstract

Boats can be adapted to generate a wake that is well-suited for the sport of wake surfing. For example, boats can include an aft platform with a contoured underside that contacts water to generate such a wake for wake surfing. In some embodiments, the contoured underside of the platform includes dual opposing wake-shaping surfaces that shape the water flowing aft from the boat hull to create a wake shape that is well-suited for wake surfing. The aft platforms can be integrally manufactured as an extension to the hull or deck of a new boat, or manufactured separately and subsequently affixed to a previously manufactured boat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A boat platform, comprising:
 a water contacting surface having a concave shape between a port side and a starboard side of the boat platform; and   a boat engaging side that is configured for connection to an aft portion of a boat.   
     
     
         2 . The boat platform of  claim 1 , wherein the water contacting surface comprises a starboard-side wake-shaping surface and a port-side wake-shaping surface, and wherein the starboard-side wake-shaping surface and the port-side wake-shaping surface collectively define the concave shape. 
     
     
         3 . The boat platform of  claim 2 , wherein the starboard-side wake-shaping surface and the port-side wake-shaping surface are generally symmetric in relation to each other about a vertical plane that bisects the boat platform. 
     
     
         4 . The boat platform of  claim 2 , wherein the starboard-side wake-shaping surface and the port-side wake-shaping surface each comprise generally planar surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The boat platform of  claim 2 , wherein the starboard-side wake-shaping surface and the port-side wake-shaping surface each comprise generally non-planar contoured surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The boat platform of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the water contacting surface slopes downward in a direction from the boat engaging side to an opposite side of the boat platform. 
     
     
         7 . The boat platform of  claim 6 , wherein the water contacting surface comprises a starboard-side wake-shaping surface and a port-side wake-shaping surface, and wherein each of the starboard-side wake-shaping surface and the port-side wake-shaping surface define the downward slope of the water contacting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The boat platform of  claim 6 , wherein a profile of the concave shape or a rate of the downward slope of at least a portion of the water contacting surface is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The boat platform of  claim 1 , wherein the boat platform is configured to be bolted onto the aft portion of a boat or integrated into a hull and deck of the boat. 
     
     
         10 . The boat platform of  claim 1 , wherein the boat platform is configured to be molded onto the aft portion of a boat. 
     
     
         11 . A boat adapted to facilitate wakesurfing behind the boat, the boat comprising:
 a hull; and   a boat platform extending from an aft portion of the hull, the boat platform comprising a water contacting surface, wherein at least a portion the water contacting surface has a concave shape between a port side and a starboard side of the boat platform.   
     
     
         12 . The boat of  claim 11 , wherein the boat platform is integrally formed with the hull. 
     
     
         13 . The boat of  claim 11 , further comprising a deck attached to the hull, and wherein the boat platform is integrally formed with the deck. 
     
     
         14 . The boat of  claim 11 , further comprising a deck attached to the hull, wherein the boat platform was formed separately from the hull and the deck and subsequently affixed to the aft portion of the boat. 
     
     
         15 . The boat platform of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the water contacting surface slopes downward in a direction from the aft portion of the hull to an opposite side of the boat platform. 
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing a wakesurfing boat platform configured for attachment to a boat, the method comprising:
 forming a water contacting surface having a concave shape between a port side and a starboard side of the boat platform; and   forming a boat engaging side that is configured for attachment to an aft portion of the boat.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the water contacting surface slopes downward in a direction from the boat engaging side to an opposite side of the boat platform. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming a top deck portion configured for supporting a human. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the boat platform is configured to be bolted onto an aft portion of the boat. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the boat platform comprises fiberglass.