Boat Hull Protection System and Methods of Using Same

Abstract

A boat hull protection system for protecting boats from algae and other marine organisms while the boat is tied to a dock, wherein the boat hull protection system may comprise a frame, cable, and an adjustable liner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A boat hull protection system, comprising:
 a frame;   a liner cable; and   an adjustable liner.   
     
     
         2 . The boat hull protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed from a material which allows the frame to float on a surface of a body of water into which the boat hull protection system is installed. 
     
     
         3 . The boat hull protection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a gate system. 
     
     
         4 . The boat hull protection system of  claim 3 , wherein an enclosed slip is formed within the boat hull protection system when the gate system is in a raised configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The boat hull protection system of  claim 3 , wherein a boat may enter or leave a slip of the boat hull protection system when the gate system is in a lowered configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The boat hull protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable liner comprises an anti-algae, or algae-resistant materials. 
     
     
         7 . The boat hull protection system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the adjustable liner is coated with an anti-algae or algae-resistant material. 
     
     
         8 . The boat hull protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable liner is replaceable. 
     
     
         9 . A gate system for a boat hull protection system, comprising:
 a gate member secured to a portion of an adjustable liner of a boat hull protection system;   one or more gate cables; and   one or more gate connection points located about the boat hull protection system;   wherein the gate member is configured to be raised or lowered by adjusting a configuration of the one or more gate cables in relation to the one or more gate connection points, thereby enclosing or opening a slip of the boat hull protection system.   
     
     
         10 . The gate system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the one or more gate connection points is located on a structure located adjacent to the boat hull protection system. 
     
     
         11 . The gate system of  claim 9 , wherein the gate member is raised or lowered by manually. 
     
     
         12 . The gate system of  claim 9 , wherein the gate member is raised or lowered based upon operation of an electric motor. 
     
     
         13 . A method of protecting a hull of a boat from contaminants present in a body of water, comprising:
 installing a boat hull protection system in a body of water, the boat hull protection system comprising:
 a frame 
 a liner cable; and 
 an adjustable liner; 
   lowering a gate system of the boat hull protection system;   positioning a boat within a slip formed by the boat hull protection system; and   raising the gate system, thereby segregating the boat from the body of water.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising operating a pump to remove water from the slip. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising replacing the adjustable liner.