US3902443A

US3902443A - Combination boat stabiliser and sail kit

Info

Publication number: US3902443A
Application number: US465610A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hugh Mcdougall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-04-30
Filing date: 1974-04-30
Publication date: 1975-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-02
Also published as: CA1011178A

Abstract

A sail and stabiliser float kit suitable for attachment to and use with a normally unstable small boat such as a canoe includes a pair of out-rigger floats carried by a tandem frame consisting of a pair of laterally extending spars securable to the gunwale of a boat, having a pair of lightweight floats extending downwardly from the ends thereof, a stub mast secured to the centre of the forward one of the transverse spars, having a pair of rigid braces extending downwardly and rearwardly from the stub mast and secured to the rearward transverse spar outboard of the gunwale to provide both transverse and fore and aft stabilisation to the stub mast, to which is pivotted a mast and boom. A pair of leeboards are removeably attached to the rearward spar, being thus located aft of the stub mast, and a rudder also is provided, to give a highly stable performance characteristic including improved load carrying capability of the boat.

Description

United States Patent [191 McDougall I [4 1 Sept. 2, 1975 COMBINATION BOAT STABILISER AND SAIL KIT [76] Inventor: Hugh McDougall, 4 Rolling Meadows, West Hill, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Apr. 30, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 465,610

Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner.1esus D. Sotelo [5 7] ABSTRACT A sail and stabiliser float kit suitable for attachment to and use with a normally unstable small boat such as a canoe includes a pair of out-rigger floats carried by a tandem frame consisting of a. pair of laterally extending spars securable to the gunwale of a boat, having a pair of lightweight floats extending downwardly from the ends thereof, a stub mast secured to the centre of the forward one of the transverse spars, having a pair of rigid braces extending downwardly and rearwardly from the stub. mast and secured to the rearward transverse spar outboard of the gunwale to provide both transverse and fore and aft stabilisation to the stub mast, to which is pivotted a mast and boom. A pair of leeboards are removeably attached to the rearward spar, being thus located aft of the stub mast, and a rudder also is provided, to give a highly stable performance characteristic including improved load carrying capability of the boat.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures COMBINATION BOAT STABILISER AND SAIL KIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a removeable or socalled strap-on kit particularly suited for use with small boats, including canoes, the kit including outboard stabilisation floats and mast mountings.

While the provision of sail kits for use with canoes is known, and while outriggers have been used by people in the south seas, the present invention provides a particular combination kit including sail mounting provisions and outrigger stabilisation floats, together with lee-board provisions, possessing a number of structural and functional advantages over the known prior art.

The prior arrangement best known to the applicant is set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,041,994, J. H. Brodie, July 3, 1962. This prior arrangement utilises a transverse member clamped across the gunwales of a canoe and terminating in a pair of lee-boards secured to the ends thereof. A bracket suspended from the transverse member receives the bottom of the mast in stepped relation therein, the mast passing through the centre of the transverse member. A rudder is also provided. This prior arrangement has a number of structural and performance limitations.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, lightweight, robust strap-on kit, readily removeable without damage from a canoe, and providing a substantially rigidly braced stub mast to which the mast-proper may be hoisted.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of additional light-weight outrigger floatation means rigidly attachable in substantially non-warping relation to a small boat.

A further object of the invention is the provision of lee board mounting means permitting the positioning of the lee board or boards at an optimum position longitudinally of the boat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects are achieved in accordance with this invention by the provision of a boat stabilising and sail attachment kit for use in detachable clamping relation with the hull ofa boat comprising frame means for securing across the boat hull in transversely extending relation therewith when in use, a pair of floatation pontoon means attachable in an outboard location to the frame means, mast stepping means secured to the frame means to receive mast means in stepped sup ported relation in substantive coincidence with the centre line of the boat, and mast bracing means secured to the frame means extending therebetween in substantially rigid triangulated bracing relation.

The provision by the present invention of a pair of spaced apart frame spars for attachment in spaced apart relation on top of the gunwales of the boat, with the mast stepping means secured to the forward one of the spars, and at least one lee board secured in detachable relation to the rearward one of the spars has the advantages of enhanced mast rigidity, and frame stiffness, while favourably positioning the lee board for ready accessibility and enhanced performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain embodiments of the present invention are described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a general view of an open small boat of the canoe type having a kit according to the present invention installed thereon;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a partial general view to a larger scale showing the mast and spar securing means;

FIG. 4 is a like view showing the float in partial section and the securing of a lee-board;

FIG. 5 is a view at 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view at 6-6 of FIG. 4, and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the rudder and its mounting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1 and 2 the canoe 10 has a kit 12 in assembled relation therewith. The kit 12 comprises a front spar l4 and rear spar 16, attached to the gunwales l5, 17 by way of ring bolts 22 and wing nuts 24, the

spars

14, 16 having a pair of shaped floats 18 secured to the spar ends.

A stub mast 20 is secured to the forward spar 14 by way of a ring bolt 22 and wing nut 24, being upwardly braced by a pair of bracing struts 26 which extend downwardly, outwardly and rearwardly from the upper point of attachment 28 with the stub mast 20 to the lower point of attachment 30' with the rearward spar 16. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6 it will be seen that the illustrated port float 18 has a substantially streamlined skin 32 and an elongated U-shaped internal bracket member 34 with upwardly extending limbs 36 and 38. The forward float limb 36 is bolted to the forward or front spar 14 the limb 36 extending through spar 14 and being pinned by a ring bolt 22 and wing nut 24.

The rear float limb 38 extends through the spar 16 and is in telescoping relation with the strut 26, being secured by a through ring bolt 22 and wing nut 24.

The float 18 is filled with suitable closed cell plastic foam such as styrofoam of sufficient density to securely locate the U-shaped bracket 34 in load transfer relation with the float.

A pair of lee boards 40 are carried by rear spar 16. Referring to FIG. 5, which illustrates the port spar fitting 42, the spar 16 has a pair of

brackets

44, 46 bolted or rivetted thereto, the lee board 40 being pinned to the brackets by way of an elongated eye bolt 23 and wing nut 24. From FIGS. 1 and 2 it will be seen that with the bolt 23 withdrawn the lee-board 40 can pivot upwardly about the main axis of the rear spar 16, but can be securely pinned in the operative position. (FIGS. 2, 4 and Referring to FIG. 7 it will be seen that a pair of

stem brackets

50, 52 carry the rudder 54 by way of a pivot pin 29 and wing nut 24. A tiller 55 of suitable length is provided. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the mast proper is pivotably secured by pivot pin 62 and a bracket 64 to the stub mast 20, with boom 66 secured to bracket 64 by a pivot pin 62.. A suitable halyard 68 serves to lower or hoist the mast 60 in relation to the stub mast 20, to control the unfurling of the sail 70.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a simple lightweight kit that provides additional floatation as well as stability by the use of floats 18. The wide triangulation of the bracing struts 26 provides significant rigidity to the stub mast 20, with the transfer of minimal stresses to the boat hull at the

gunwales

15, 17. The space frame effect of the longitudinally spaced spars l4 and 16 provides significant longitudinal intervals for the plane of mast attachment, in relation to the plane of the leeboards point of action, and the plane of action of the rudder at pivot pin 29.

Furthermore, the location of the lee boards 40 is sufficiently rearward, towards the stern of the boat, to significantly facilitate raising or lowering of the boards 40 by the occupant, while the effective lee-board area is close to the centre of gravity of the boat to promote handling characteristics under sail.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A boat stabilising and sail attachment kit for use in detachable clamping relation with the hull of a boat, including frame means for securing across the hull in transversely extending relation therewith, when in use, a pair of flotation pontoon means attachable in an outboard location to the frame means, mast stepping means comprising a stub mast extending substantially vertically from and secured to the frame means having I 4 ping means. I

2. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame means includes a pair of spaced apart frame spars for attachment in spaced apart relation on top of the gunwales of said boat, and at least one lee-board secured in detachable relation to a said frame spar.

3. The kit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mast stepping means is attached to the forward one of said spars, said bracing means comprising a pair of downwardly divergent struts having the lower ends thereof attached to the rearward one of said spars, to provide triangulated support to said mast means both laterally and longitudinally in relation to said boat.

4. The kit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said lee board is secured to said rearward spar in longitudinally spaced relation from said mast means whereby in use said lee-board is located more closely to the centre of gravity of said boat than is said mast means, to enhance cooperation between the working areas of said lee board and rudder means mounted at the stern of the boat.

5. The kit as claimed in claim 4 in combination with said boat, including a rudder and two said lee boards, said flotation pontoons being of lightweight, foam filled construction.

Claims

1. A boat stabilising and sail attachment kit for use in detachable clamping relation with the hull of a boat, including frame means for securing across the hull in transversely extending relation therewith, when in use, a pair of flotation pontoon means attachable in an outboard location to the frame means, mast stepping means comprising a stub mast extending substantially vertically from and secured to the frame means having a main mast means in stepped supported relation secured adjacent the bottom of said stub mast in substantial coincidence with the centreline of the boat, and mast bracing means detachably secured to the frame means in misaligned relation with said stub mast to provide triangulation therewith extending upwardly and converging inwardly for attachment to said mast stepping means.