US3870005A

US3870005A - Houseboat hull

Info

Publication number: US3870005A
Application number: US423933A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard E Klingler; Jeffrey A Roberts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Holiday Rambler Corp
Priority date: 1973-12-12
Filing date: 1973-12-12
Publication date: 1975-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-11

Abstract

A houseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configuration and comprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar V-shaped outer bottom surface members and a central V-shaped bottom surface member between the outer bottom surface members in which the draft of the central V-shaped bottom surface member is less than the draft of the outer V-shaped bottom surface members.

Description

United States Patent Klingler et al.

HOUSEBOAT HULL Inventors: Richard E. Klingler, 1609 Spring Brook Dr., Eklhart, Ind. 46514; Jeffrey A. Roberts, 55135 Belair, Osceola, Ind. 46561 Filed: Dec. 12, 1973 App]. No.: 423,933

US. Cl. 1l4/66.5 R, 114/56 Int. Cl B63b l/l8 Field of Search 114/56, 66.5 R, 66.5 S,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1919 Lebby 1l4/66.5 R

[ Mar. 11, 1975 3,067,711 12/1962 Hesher 6161. ll4/66.5 5 3,191,572 6/1965 Wilson 114/61 3,600,733 3/1971 Lippisch 114/66.5 R 3,763,810 10/1973 Payne 114/66.5 R

Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-Stuart M. Goldstein [57] ABSTRACT A houseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configu ration and comprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar V-shaped outer bottom surface members and a central V-shaped bottom surface member between the outer bottom surface members in which the draft of the central V-shaped bottom surface member is less than the draft of the outer V-shaped bottom surface members.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 HOUSEBOAT HULL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a hull design for a houseboat. I

It is an object of this invention to provide a houseboat hull having a relatively shallow draft, good performance characteristics over a wide variety of wave conditions, and minimized yaw, roll and pitch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hull having excellent spray control.

A still another object is to provide a houseboat hull having a favorable drag/lift ratio and capable planing at reasonable speeds.

Still other objects will readily present themselves to one skilled in the art upon reference to the ensuing specification, the drawings and the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a hull having a reverse cathedral configuration and comprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar V-shaped outer bottom surfaces which extend substantially the full length of the hull and a V-shaped central bottom surface between the aforesaid bottom surfaces and joined thereto along the innermost edges of the outer bottom surfaces. The V-shaped central bottom surface has a draft which is more shallow than the draft of the outer bottom surfaces.

- A generally V-shaped outer prow portion is joined to each of the outer bottom surfaces and projects upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 150 relative to hull waterline. A generally V-shaped central prow portion is joined to the central bottom surface and projects upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 155 relative to hull waterline but greater than the angle of the outer prow portions. The prow portions are interconnected along adjacent edges thereof.

Generally flat side portions extend longitudinally along and are joined to the outer edge of each of the outer bottom surfaces and the corresponding prow portion. A generally flat stern portion is joined to trailing edges of the bottom surfaces and the side portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a hull embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a 'hull embodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 33 in FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a hull embodying the present invention and showing the framing thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, hull comprises generally flat side portion 11 which extends longitudinally on the port side of hull 10 along outer edge 12 of outer bottom surface member 13 and is rigidly interconnected therewith. Generally flat stern portion 15 is likewise joined to side portion 11 and the trailing edge of outer bottom surface member 13, as well as to the trailing edges of the other bottom surfaces and starboard side portion 24.

Outer prow portion 14 projects upwardly at obtuse angle alpha not exceeding about 150 relative to hull waterline, and generally V-shaped central prow portion 16 projects upwardly at obtuse angle beta not exceeding about 155 degrees relative to hull waterline. Angle betais always greater than angle alpha.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, outer

bottom surface members

13 and 17 are generally V-shaped and are rigidly joined to V-shaped central bottom surface members 18 along

innermost edges

19 and 20, respectively. The outer

bottom surface members

13 and 17 and the central bottom surface member 18 are of uniform cross sectional area throughout their respective lengths. Included angle gamma of outer

bottom surface members

13 and 17 preferably ranges from about 135 to about 145 and more preferably is about 140. Included angle delta of central bottom surface member 18 preferably ranges from about 160 to about 170 and more preferably is about 165. A flattened aft portion such as por' tion 41 can be provided on outer

bottom surface members

13 and 17 to provide support for rudder shafts and propulsion shafts, if desired.

Outer prow portion 21 has substantially the same configuration as outer prow portion 14 and isjoined to bottom surface member 17 in the same manner as outer prow portion 14 is joined to bottom surface member 13. Outer prow portions 14 and 21 are rigidly interconnected along respective

adjacent edges

22 and 23 to central prow portion 16. Outer prow portion 21 is also joined along line 40 to generally flat side portion 24 which extends longitudinally along the starboard side of hull 10. Similarly, outer prow portion 14 is joined along line 39 to generally flat side .portion 11.

Skin 25 for the hull preferably is marine aluminum attached to tubular framing 26 which is doublewelded and interlocked with aluminum stringers 27 in accordance with shipbuilding techniques. Transverse frame members or

beams

28 and 29 are connected to

stanchions

30, 31 and 32 and lend further rigidity to the hull. If desired, flotation such as fire resistant polyurethane foam can be provided in the bilge up to the level of transverse member 29. Outline 33 in FIG. 3 designates a typical cabin silhouette.

Typical overall framing plan is shown in FIG. 4. lfdesired, bolt-on walkway 34 can be provided around the periphery of hull 10. Bow hull line is indicated by interrupted line 35, and prow points at about the deck are designated by 36, 37 and 38. The included angle of outer prow portions 14 and 21 as well as central prow portion 16 can be about 90 to about 100 at the normal hull waterline and decreases to about to at the deck line. In this manner, the impact of oncoming waves is minimized and cushioned, and the water normally encountered by the prow readily dispersed. Moreover, the unique reverse cathedral configuration provides ample hull displacement at a relatively shallow draftand minimizes the wetted surface at planing speeds when the generally V-shaped central bottom surface is substantially out of the water.

The foregoing description and the drawings are intended to be illustrative and are not to be taken as limiting. Other variations and rearrangements of parts are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A planing houseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configuration and comprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar, generally V- shaped outer bottom surface members extending substantially for the full length of the hull each of which has a generally V-shaped prow portion joined thereto projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle, said outer bottom surface .members being of substantially uniform cross sectional area throughout their respective lengths and having a first predetermined included angle;

a generally V-shaped central bottom surface member extendingsubstantially the full length of said hull I situated between and joined to said outer bottom surface members and being of substantially uniform 'crosssectional area throughout its length, said central bottom surface member having a second predetermined included angle which is greater than said first included angle, and having appreciably less draft than said outer bottom surface members;

a generally V-shaped central prow portion joined to said central bottom surface member and said outer prow portions, and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 155 relative to the hull waterline-but at an angle which is greater than the angle of said upwardly projecting outer prow portions;

whereby said wetted surface below planning speed comprises said outer bottom surface members and said central bottom surface and at planing speeds the hull wetted surface consists essentially of said outer bottom surface members.

2. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shaped central bottom surface member has an included angle of about 160 to about 170, and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom surface members each have an included angle of about 145.

3. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shaped centralbottom surface member has an included angle of about 165 and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom surface members each have an included angle of about 140.

4. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein the included angle of said prow portions is about 90 to about 100 at hull waterline and is about 75 to about 85 at deck.

5.-ln'a houseboat, a hull having;

a pair of spaced, substantially V-shaped outer bottom members being of substantially uniform cross sectional area throughout their respective lengths and having a first predetermined included angle;

a V-shaped central bottom member between and i joined to said outer bottom members and being of substantially uniform-cross sectional area throughout its length, said central bottom member having a second predetermined included angle which is greater than said first predetermined angle, and

having appreciably less draft than said outer bot tom members;

generally V-shaped outer prow portion rigidly joined to each of said outer bottom members and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 150 relative to the hull waterline;

a generally V-shaped central prow portion rigidly joined to said central bottom member and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 155 relative to the hull waterline and at an angle which is greater than the angle-of said outer prow portions;-

a generally flat side portion joined to and extending longitudinally along the outer edge of each of said outer bottom members and their corresponding prow portions;

generally flat stern portion rigidly joined to trailing edges of said bottom members and said side portions; and a said outer prow portions and said central prow portion being rigidly interconnected along adjacent edges thereof.

6. The hull in accordance with claim 5 wherein said \/-shaped central bottom member has an included angle of from about 160 to about 170 and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom members each have an included angle of about to about 7. The hull in accordance with claim 5 wherein said V-shaped central bottom member has an included angle of about 165 and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom members each have an included angle of about 140.

8. The hull in accordance with claim 6 wherein a generally V-shaped outerprow portion is joined to each of said outer bottom members and which projects upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about relative to the hull waterline and wherein a generally V- shaped central prow portion is joined to said central bottom member and projects upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about relative to hull waterline but at an angle greater than the angle of said outer prow portions; said outer prow portions being joined to said central prow portion.

9. The hull in accordance with claim 8 wherein the included angle of said prow portions is from about 90 to about 100 at hull waterline and is about 75 to about 85 at deck line.

Claims

1. A planing houseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configuration and comprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar, generally V-shaped outer bottom surface members extending substantially for the full length of the hull each of which has a generally V-shaped prow portion joined thereto projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle, said outer bottom surface members being of substantially uniform cross sectional area throughout their respective lengths and having a first predetermined included angle; a generally V-shaped central bottom surface member extending substantially the full length of said hull situated between and joined to said outer bottom surface members aNd being of substantially uniform cross sectional area throughout its length, said central bottom surface member having a second predetermined included angle which is greater than said first included angle, and having appreciably less draft than said outer bottom surface members; a generally V-shaped central prow portion joined to said central bottom surface member and said outer prow portions, and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 155* relative to the hull waterline but at an angle which is greater than the angle of said upwardly projecting outer prow portions; whereby said wetted surface below planning speed comprises said outer bottom surface members and said central bottom surface and at planing speeds the hull wetted surface consists essentially of said outer bottom surface members.

2. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shaped central bottom surface member has an included angle of about 160* to about 170*, and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom surface members each have an included angle of about 145*.

3. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shaped central bottom surface member has an included angle of about 165* and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom surface members each have an included angle of about 140*.

4. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein the included angle of said prow portions is about 90* to about 100* at hull waterline and is about 75* to about 85* at deck.

5. In a houseboat, a hull having; a pair of spaced, substantially V-shaped outer bottom members being of substantially uniform cross sectional area throughout their respective lengths and having a first predetermined included angle; a V-shaped central bottom member between and joined to said outer bottom members and being of substantially uniform cross sectional area throughout its length, said central bottom member having a second predetermined included angle which is greater than said first predetermined angle, and having appreciably less draft than said outer bottom members; a generally V-shaped outer prow portion rigidly joined to each of said outer bottom members and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 150* relative to the hull waterline; a generally V-shaped central prow portion rigidly joined to said central bottom member and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 155* relative to the hull waterline and at an angle which is greater than the angle of said outer prow portions; a generally flat side portion joined to and extending longitudinally along the outer edge of each of said outer bottom members and their corresponding prow portions; a generally flat stern portion rigidly joined to trailing edges of said bottom members and said side portions; and said outer prow portions and said central prow portion being rigidly interconnected along adjacent edges thereof.

6. The hull in accordance with claim 5 wherein said V-shaped central bottom member has an included angle of from about 160* to about 170* and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom members each have an included angle of about 135* to about 145*.

7. The hull in accordance with claim 5 wherein said V-shaped central bottom member has an included angle of about 165* and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom members each have an included angle of about 140*.

8. The hull in accordance with claim 6 wherein a generally V-shaped outer prow portion is joined to each of said outer bottom members and which projects upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 150* relative to the hull waterline and wherein a generally V-shaped central prow portion is joined to said central bottom member and projects upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about 155* relative to hUll waterline but at an angle greater than the angle of said outer prow portions; said outer prow portions being joined to said central prow portion.