Boat Hull Stabiliser Fin Deployment System

Abstract

A stabiliser fin deployment system configured to retract a stabiliser fin within a boat hull, the stabiliser fin having a length. The system includes a stabiliser fin housing having a height, width, and depth. The housing has an aperture configured to accommodate the entire length of the stabiliser fin therein. The housing is configured for insertion into a boat hull so that the housing resides within the hull. The system further includes a retractor configured to move the stabiliser fin into and out of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A boat hull, comprising:
 a port sidewall, a starboard sidewall, a bow, a rear, a bottom, a top, a central longitudinal axis through said bow and said rear, and a height from said bottom to said top;   at least one longitudinal slot perpendicular to the height of the hull in each of said port sidewall and said starboard sidewall, said longitudinal slot having a width, a height, and a depth, the width of said longitudinal slot being at least 200 mm wide, the depth of said longitudinal slot being at least 200 mm deep; and   a retractor configured to retract and extend a fin housed within said longitudinal slot in said hull.   
     
     
         2 . The hull of  claim 1 , wherein the depth of said slot is greater than the width of said slot. 
     
     
         3 . The hull of  claim 1 , wherein the slot is configured to be below the waterline when the hull partially submerged. 
     
     
         4 . The hull of  claim 1 , wherein said slot has an interior portion coated with glass. 
     
     
         5 . The hull of  claim 1 , wherein the depth of said slot is curved to accommodate a longitudinally curved fin. 
     
     
         6 . The hull of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabiliser fin configured to cooperatively engage with said retractor. 
     
     
         7 . The hull of  claim 6 , wherein said stabiliser fin has a length that is curved. 
     
     
         8 . The hull of  claim 6 , wherein said stabiliser fin has a length that is straight. 
     
     
         9 . A stabiliser fin deployment system configured to retract a stabiliser fin within a boat hull, the stabiliser fin having a length, comprising:
 a stabiliser fin housing having a height, width, and depth, said housing having an aperture configured to accommodate the entire length of the stabiliser fin therein, said housing being configured for insertion into a boat hull so that the housing resides within the hull; and   a retractor configured to move the stabiliser fin into and out of said housing.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said retractor is gear-driven. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the depth of said housing is greater than the width of said housing. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the width of said housing is greater than the height of said housing. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said aperture has a depth that is curved to accommodate a curved stabiliser fin therein. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said aperture is coated with glass. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said housing is adapted to be inserted into a slot in the boat hull that is below a normal waterline of the hull. 
     
     
         16 . A stabiliser fin deployment system configured to retract a stabiliser fin within a boat hull, the stabiliser fin having a width oriented roughly parallel to the length of the hull when connected thereto, comprising:
 a stabiliser fin housing having a height, width, and depth, said housing having an aperture configured to accommodate the entire width of the stabiliser fin therein, said housing being configured for insertion into a boat hull proximate a chine in the hull so that the housing resides within the hull; and   a retractor configured to move the stabiliser fin into and out of said housing.