A water vessel hull protector and method of construction

Abstract

A water vessel hull protector including a support frame defining an internal volume within which a watercraft can be removably located and at least one barrier skin configured to extend across the internal volume of the support frame, and mounted to the support frame to extend above the waterline to separate the support frame from an external water body in order to prevent fouling of the support frame by marine growth.

1 . A water vessel hull protector including:
 a support frame defining an internal volume within which a watercraft can be removably located; and,   at least one barrier skin configured to extend across the internal volume of the support frame, and mounted to the support frame to extend above the waterline to separate the support frame from an external water body in order to prevent fouling of the support frame by marine growth.   
     
     
         2 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support frame includes a number of frame members which are generally attached together or relative to one another in order to define the internal volume. 
     
     
         3 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the frame members are provided in the form of inflatable and deflatable members. 
     
     
         4 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support frame bounds a docking zone dimensioned to receive a hull of the watercraft in the use condition. 
     
     
         5 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the frame members are elongate and/or hollow. 
     
     
         6 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the frame members are submergible or partially submergible. 
     
     
         7 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the frame members are made from a flexible and sealable material. 
     
     
         8 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support frame includes a forward portion and a displaceable rear gate portion. 
     
     
         9 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the rear gate portion is attached relative to the forward portion about a hinge, or similar assembly, on each lateral side of the support frame. 
     
     
         10 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the forward portion is approximately two thirds of the length of the support frame and the rear gate portion makes up the other approximately one third of the length of the support frame. 
     
     
         11 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein one or more weights are provided in association with the gate portion to ensure that the gate portion moves into a submerged position when deflated. 
     
     
         12 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the rear gate portion is inflated and deflated in order to move the rear gate portion between a floating, use position and a submerged or partially submerged condition. 
     
     
         13 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 8 , further including one or more inflation valves on each of the forward portion and the rear gate portion. 
     
     
         14 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 8 , further including one or more inflatable and deflatable pillows provided at a forward end of the forward portion. 
     
     
         15 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the pillows attach to the inside of the support frame. 
     
     
         16 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , further including one or more mooring rings provided about at least an upper portion of the support frame, on an underside of the support frame, or both about at least the upper portion of the support frame and on the underside of the support frame. 
     
     
         17 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support frame is a floating support frame. 
     
     
         18 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support frame supports the at least one barrier skin. 
     
     
         19 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted to the support frame about an outer, upper side of the support frame. 
     
     
         20 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is water impermeable. 
     
     
         21 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is made from a polymeric or plastic material. 
     
     
         22 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one barrier skin spans the docking zone of the support frame. 
     
     
         23 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is generally v-shaped or u-shaped with at least one lower spine portion at least toward a forward end of the barrier skin. 
     
     
         24 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin includes a pair of upper side edges. 
     
     
         25 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted to the support frame at a position above the waterline of the support frame when the support frame is in a raised, use condition. 
     
     
         26 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted in an over-the-top configuration where the at least one barrier skin extends around the outside of the support frame and back onto an upper side of the support frame. 
     
     
         27 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted to an outer upper side of the support frame. 
     
     
         28 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is releasably attached to the support frame. 
     
     
         29 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is securely attached relative to the support frame. 
     
     
         30 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted to the support frame using an attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         31 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the attachment mechanism is in the form of hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         32 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein a portion of the attachment mechanism is provided on the or each at least one barrier skin and a corresponding portion of the attachment mechanism is provided on the support frame. 
     
     
         33 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the portion of the attachment mechanism provided on the or each at least one barrier skin is provided along an edge of the or each at least one barrier skin. 
     
     
         34 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the corresponding portion of the attachment mechanism provided on the support frame is or includes at least one attachment flap provided with a corresponding hook or loop fastener portion. 
     
     
         35 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the corresponding portion of the attachment mechanism provided on the support frame is or includes a pair of opposed attachment flaps. 
     
     
         36 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the pair of opposed attachment flaps are hinged relative to one another. 
     
     
         37 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the pair of opposed attachment flaps include an inner attachment flap provided facing outwardly and an outer attachment flap provided facing inwardly. 
     
     
         38 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a drainage sheet above the or each at least one barrier skin. 
     
     
         39 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 1 , further including at least one pump. 
     
     
         40 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the pump is provided within the internal volume. 
     
     
         41 . The water vessel hull protector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the support frame members are manufactured from a drop stich fabric.