WATERCRAFT FLOTATION DEVICE

A watercraft flotation device with an inflatable vessel and a strap system to selectively secure the inflatable vessel to the watercraft can provide sufficient buoyancy to raise the watercraft hull out of water. The strap system can limit movement of the inflatable vessel fore and aft relative to the watercraft hull. The flotation device can include a forward inflatable vessel and an aft inflatable vessel. The inflatable vessels are, in some embodiments, generally tubular and have inflation valves positioned near one end. The inflation valve can be coupled to an inflation pump such that air can be pumped into the inflatable vessel(s) to raise the watercraft hull. A system including multiple inflatable vessels and an inflation pump can be stored portably for transportation with the watercraft.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/837,346, entitled “WATERCRAFT FLOTATION DEVICE,” filed on Aug. 11, 2006. Also, the present application hereby incorporates by reference the above-identified provisional application, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to the field of watercraft docking, and more specifically to the raising of a boat from the water during times of non-use.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mooring a boat or other watercraft to a dock has been known for hundreds of years. However, docking a watercraft for extended periods of time can lead to significant damage to the watercraft. While a boat sits in water, its hull and running gear can become fouled. In fresh water, algae often grows on the hull and running gear. If the hull is not cleaned regularly, this algae growth can reduce fuel efficiency and mar the hull finish. In salt water, barnacles and other types of sea life can grow on the hull. These barnacles often cause temporary damage to the hull finish and, if left alone for an extended period of time, major damage to the hull itself. In addition, electrolysis occurs while the boat sits in salt water, which can harm metal components such as propellers, shafts, trim tabs, engine seals, out-drives and rudders. Therefore, when a watercraft is docked for extended periods of time, extensive and often costly cleaning and maintenance is required to reduce the incidence of damage caused by exposure to still fresh or salt water.

It has only been within the recent past that the technology has become available to raise a boat out of the water when not in use. Raising a boat out of water can reduce or completely remove the need for extensive and costly maintenance otherwise required to reduce damage to a docked watercraft. A number of devices have been employed over the years to raise a boat out of water. Most have used some sort of large metal frame construction attached to one or more rigid buoyancy devices. The metal frame structure is raised or lowered, lifting the boat out of or lowering the boat into the water. The boat is cradled on the metal frame, and the rigid buoyancy device (usually a metal cylinder) is filled with air from an air pump installed on the dock. When the boat is lowered into the water, the process is reversed, i.e., the air is pumped out of the rigid buoyancy device and the boat is lowered.

Other boat raising systems have included an enclosed, anchored, drive-on cushion-like air bladder. A multi-chambered air bladder is anchored adjacent to a boat dock. A boat is driven on to the partially submerged multi-chambered bladder, and a rear gate is closed to enclose the boat in the boat lift. A large, dock-mounted air pump pumps air into the bladder chambers to raise the boat out of the water.

At least one boat raising system has been proposed to lift the hull of a boat partially clear of the water such that a transom drain opening can clear the water. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,965 to Lasch includes a pair of generally cylindrical inflatable bodies that can be inflated to raise the boat to drain water from the hull. FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Many of the previous watercraft raising devices have several significant drawbacks: 1) they are permanently or semi-permanently attached to the dock, not allowing easy transfer should a boat owner wish to relocate the watercraft; 2) they require extensive technical expertise to install and therefore do not lend themselves to the do-it-yourselfer; 3) they are expensive and do not financially lend themselves to an average watercraft user. Moreover, the Lasch System of U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,965 is unable to raise the hull completely out of the water, if at all, due to insufficient strapping restraint to prevent the inflatable bodies from slipping off of the boat hull.

In various embodiments further described below, a watercraft flotation device can significantly reduce the risk of watercraft damage due to prolonged exposure to still water while also being transportable, easy to install and remove, and relatively inexpensive. In some embodiments, the flotation device comprises an inflatable vessel such as an inflatable tubular member or pontoon which is configured to be strapped to the watercraft. Multiple flotation devices can be strapped to a watercraft hull in a flotation system. Once strapped to the watercraft, the inflatable vessels can be inflated to raise the hull of the watercraft out of water.

In certain embodiments, a flotation device for raising at least a portion of a watercraft hull out of water is provided. The flotation device comprises an inflatable vessel, and a strap system coupled to the inflatable vessel. The inflatable vessel is configured to be positioned under the watercraft hull. The strap system is configured to selectively secure the inflatable vessel to the watercraft and to substantially prevent the inflatable vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the watercraft. The inflatable vessel is configured to receive a volume of gas such that the inflatable vessel has an inflated state in which the inflatable vessel is buoyant.

In other embodiments, a flotation system for at least partially raising a watercraft hull out of water is provided. The system comprises a forward inflatable vessel, an aft inflatable vessel, and a strap system. The forward inflatable vessel is configured to be positioned under the watercraft hull and configured when so positioned to extend generally between and toward a port side of the hull and a starboard side of the hull. The aft flotation device comprises an inflatable vessel is configured to be positioned under the watercraft hull and configured when so positioned to extend generally between and toward a port side of the hull to the hull and a starboard side of the hull. The strap system is coupled to the forward and aft inflatable vessels and configured to selectively secure the inflatable vessels to the watercraft. The strap system comprises straps configured to extend at least partially in a longitudinal direction relative to the watercraft hull to substantially prevent the inflatable vessels from moving longitudinally with respect to the watercraft.

In other embodiments, a method for raising a watercraft hull out of water is provided. The method comprises: positioning a first inflatable vessel under the watercraft hull; securing the first inflatable vessel to the watercraft hull; positioning a second inflatable vessel under the watercraft hull; securing the second inflatable vessel to the watercraft hull; inflating the first inflatable vessel; and inflating the second inflatable vessel. A first strap is coupled to the first inflatable vessel near an end of the vessel, and securing the first vessel to the watercraft hull is done with the first strap such that the strap extends at least partially in a longitudinal direction with respect to the hull to restrain the first vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the hull. A second strap is coupled to the second inflatable vessel near an end of the second vessel, and securing the second vessel to the watercraft hull is done with the second strap such that the second strap extends at least partially in the longitudinal direction to restrain the second vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the hull.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a prior art system for partially raising a boat hull to drain the hull;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a port side view of one embodiment of a system for raising a watercraft hull out of water as applied to a boat;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a port side view of another embodiment of a system for raising a watercraft hull out of water as applied to a boat;

FIG. 7 illustrates a port side view of another embodiment of a system for raising a watercraft hull out of water as applied to a boat; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a port side view of another embodiment of a system for raising a watercraft hull out of water as applied to a boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In various embodiments discussed below, a device, system, and method are provided for raising the hull of a watercraft such as a boat 100 out of water. This device is simple to use, can be easily transported from dock-to-dock and is preferably adaptable to accommodate substantially any size pleasure boat.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art flotation system for partially raising a boat hull out of the water such that it can be drained through a transom drain. As illustrated in FIG. 1, two inflatable bodies 32 are capable of partially raising the boat 10 from the water. One inflatable body 32 is positioned near the bow 12 of the boat, and the other at the stern 14 of the boat. The inflatable bodies 32 extend generally laterally under the hull of the boat 10 from a port side to a starboard side. The inflatable bodies 32 are strapped to the boat 10 by straps 34, 36 extending generally laterally over the deck of the boat from the port side to the starboard side. Upon inflation of the bodies 32 through a valve 40, the boat 10 is partially raised such that the transom drain 26 is clear of the water. With the transom drain 26 clear, water can be drained from the hull.

However, the system of FIGS. 1 and 2 cannot be used to completely, if at all, raise the boat 10 hull from the water. The inflatable bodies 32 do not provide sufficient buoyancy to raise the boat 10 hull clear of the water. Even when the bodies 32 are in a completely inflated state, the hull remains partially submerged. Furthermore, when supporting the boat's weight the inflated bodies 32 tend to slide longitudinally with respect to the boat 10 and from slip off of the bow 12 or stern 14 of the boat. This sliding severely limits the ability of the inflated bodies 32 to raise the boat hull even partially, such that it remains partially submerged and buoyed by the surrounding water. Moreover, it is nearly impossible to raise the entire hull of the boat clear of the water. Thus, the system of FIGS. 1 and 2 has significant shortcomings that would render it unworkable as a system to raise a boat hull with respect to the water, especially completely clear of the water.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, an embodiment of a system for raising a watercraft hull out of water that overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art is illustrated. The system can include a forward flotation device and an aft flotation device secured with respect to a boat.

Each flotation device can comprise an inflatable vessel 20 and a strap 30 coupled to the inflatable vessel. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable vessel 20 is an inflatable tube approximately 2 feet in diameter and 8 feet in length. A tube of this size can encapsulate approximately 16 cubic feet of air. However, this particular size and shape of the inflatable vessel 20 is merely exemplary. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the inflatable vessel can have a different geometry, such as a substantially rectangular cushion shape, or a contoured outer surface configured to nest with a boat hull. The inflatable vessel 20 can be sized to provide a predetermined amount of buoyancy to raise a watercraft of a known weight out of the water. Various calculation techniques can be used to determine the size of inflatable vessel 20 sufficient to raise a watercraft hull. For example, with knowledge of the volume of water a boat displaces in cubic feet and the approximate weight of the boat, a volume of air sufficient to raise the boat out of the water can be calculated.

In some embodiments, the inflatable vessel 20 can include a valve. For example, the valve 22 can be a Boston multi-valve allowing easy inflation and deflation of the inflatable vessel. The valve 22 can be configured to be fluidly coupled to an inflation pump 60 such that a supply of gas, such as, for example, air, can be pumped into the inflatable vessel 20. Advantageously, the inflation pump 60 can be portable such that it can be easily carried aboard the watercraft, rather than requiring permanent or semi-permanent dock mounting. The inflatable vessel 20 can be attached to the watercraft by means of straps 30 such as ballistic nylon web straps. The straps 30 can be coupled to the inflatable vessel 20 adjacent ends of the inflatable vessel 20. The straps 30 can be coupled to the vessel 20 at a reinforced portion 38 of the vessel 20. The reinforced portion 38 can extend part way circumferentially around the vessel 20. The straps 30 can be pulled up the sides and across the top of the watercraft. The straps 30 can be used to selectively secure the inflatable vessel 20 to the watercraft. For example, the straps 30 can include a buckle 31 such as a plastic quick release buckle configured to allow resizing and cinching of the straps 30 to selectively join two ends of the straps 30. The straps 30 can then be clipped together at an upper surface of the watercraft using the plastic buckle. The straps 30 can be cinched tightly prior to inflation of the inflatable vessel 20 to restrict movement of the flotation device.

In the exemplary system described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, two flotation devices including two inflatable vessels 20 are used. In the illustrated embodiment, a forward inflatable vessel 20 is positioned slightly aft of the bow and an aft inflatable vessel 20 slightly forward of full aft. In some embodiments, the aft inflatable vessel is positioned approximately 2 feet forward of full aft, and the forward inflatable vessel 20 is positioned slightly aft of the bow chine. With inflatable vessels 20 having the substantially tubular geometry and dimensions described in the example above, a boat 100 weighing approximately 2,500 lbs. can be raised out of the water with the illustrated two flotation device system. A heavier boat (for example, a boat exceeding 3,000 lbs.) could be raised with a flotation system comprising three inflatable vessels, for example, positioned forward, center, and aft. Alternately, a heavier boat could be raised with two inflatable vessels having greater volumes and therefore greater buoyant capacity than the above-described example. In other embodiments, the watercraft flotation system can be used to raise still larger boats with inflatable vessels 20 of varying diameter and length. It will be appreciated that the number, shape, and capacity of the vessels can vary, based upon the size, shape, and weight of the boat.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3-5, the system includes a stabilization strap system 50 coupled to the inflatable vessels 20 to limit the movement of the inflatable vessels 20 relative to the watercraft. In the illustrated embodiment, the stabilization strap 50 comprises a first strap 41 and a second strap 42 intersecting transversely at the inflatable vessel 20 such that the straps 41, 42 are arranged in a generally V-shaped orientation to limit movement of the inflatable vessel 20 relative to the watercraft 100. Specifically, the V-shaped orientation can limit a tendency of the inflatable vessel 20 to move fore and aft relative to the boat 100 as it is inflated. With the V-shaped orientation, the straps 41, 42 each extend a longitudinal (fore and aft relative to the boat 100) direction as well as a vertical direction (up and down relative to the waterline). The straps 41, 42 are arranged such that movement of an inflatable vessel 20 in a fore or aft direction would create tension in one of the straps 41, 42, due to the longitudinal component of its span, tending to arrest the fore and aft movement of the inflatable vessel 20.

When the first and second straps 41, 42 are secured to the boat hull, forming a generally V-shaped orientation, the first strap 41 is positioned to form angle α1 with respect to a vertical orientation, and the second strap 42 is positioned to form angle α2 with respect to a vertical orientation. In some embodiments, angles α1 and α2 are between approximately 10 degrees and 80 degrees. Desirably, angles α1 and α2 are between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees. More desirably, angles α1 and α2 are between approximately 40 degrees and 50 degrees. In some embodiments, α1 and α2 are substantially equal to one another, in other embodiments, α1 and α2 are different from one another.

In some embodiments, the first and second straps 41, 42 can be coupled to the inflatable vessel 20 at the reinforced portion 38. In other embodiments, such as are illustrated in FIG. 4, the first and second straps 41, 42, can be coupled to the vessel 20 at other locations.

While a V-shaped orientation of straps 41, 42 is illustrated, it is contemplated that other stabilization strap system 50 arrangements could likewise reduce or arrest the ability of the inflatable vessel to move longitudinally. As illustrated, the straps 41, 42 may be configured to attach to the watercraft, such as on a cleat or rail of the watercraft. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, each inflatable vessel can include straps 41, 42 on each of the port and starboard sides of the inflatable vessel to couple to a cleat or rail on the corresponding side. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the first and second straps 41, 42 can extend over the watercraft and attach to opposite sides of the inflatable vessel 20.

In a flotation system comprising a forward flotation device and an aft flotation device, the stabilization strap system 50 can include first and second straps 41, 42 stabilizing the forward flotation device with respect to the watercraft and third and fourth straps 43, 44 stabilizing the aft flotation device with respect to the watercraft. Straps 43, 44 for stabilizing the aft flotation device can be similar to the straps 41, 42 described above with respect to the forward flotation device. In some embodiments, the first and second straps 41, 42 and/or the third and fourth straps 43, 44 may be coupled to the inflatable vessels 20 at locations that are approximately horizontally opposed on the inflatable vessels 20. For example, in some embodiments the straps 42 and 44 on one or both of the vessels 20 can be connected to the vessels 20 at positions corresponding to, in the view of FIG. 3, approximately 30-120 degrees, more preferably approximately 30-90 degrees, and even more preferably approximately 30-60 degrees clockwise rotation from an uppermost point of the vessel 20. Likewise, in some embodiments the straps 41 and 43 on one or both of the vessels 20 can be connected to the vessels 20 at positions corresponding to, in the view of FIG. 3, approximately 240-330 degrees, more preferably approximately 270-330 degrees, and even more preferably approximately 300-330 degrees clockwise from the uppermost point of the vessel 20. In other embodiments, other connection locations on the vessels 20 for the straps are possible.

As illustrated, the stabilization straps may further comprise a fifth strap 45 coupled to the forward inflatable vessel and the aft inflatable vessel to limit the range of movement of the inflatable vessels 20 with respect to each other. Advantageously, the stabilization strap system 50 maintains the position of the flotation system on the watercraft while the watercraft hull is being raised out of the water without adding undue complexity to the system.

Although FIGS. 3-5 illustrate one arrangement of straps 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 of stabilization strap system 50, it is contemplated that other strap arrangements can be used in a flotation system to limit movement of the flotation system relative to the watercraft and limit movement of the inflatable vessels 20 relative to each other. For example, in a flotation system embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the flotation system can have a stabilization strap system 50 comprising straps 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 configured as described above with respect to FIGS. 3-5, but no straps 30. In another embodiment of a flotation system, illustrated in FIG. 7, the flotation system can have a stabilization strap system 50 including the fore-most strap 41, the aft-most strap 44, and a strap 45 connecting the fore inflatable vessel 20 to the aft inflatable vessel 20. In another embodiment of a flotation system, illustrated in FIG. 8, the flotation system can comprise a stabilization strap system 50 including straps 41, 42, 43, and 44 but without a strap 45 connecting the fore inflatable vessel 20 to the aft inflatable vessel 20. These embodiments are merely illustrative, and it is contemplated that still other embodiments can be made having some or all of the straps 30 and stabilization straps 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 discussed herein.

In each of the aforementioned embodiments, it will be appreciated that another set of straps 41, 42, 43, and 44 may be provided at the starboard side of the boat. Each embodiment can include just a single strap 45 (e.g., midway along the boat width) or two or more straps 45 (e.g., one strap 45 at each side of the boat). Thus, in an embodiment of flotation system having two inflatable vessels 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 with starboard straps corresponding to each of the illustrated port straps 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, the stabilization strap system 50 can include ten stabilization straps. In other embodiments, the stabilization strap system can include fewer than ten straps (e.g., nine straps if only one strap 45 is used).

The systems described herein can be used to raise a watercraft hull out of water in a method of raising a watercraft hull. The inflatable vessels 20 are positioned under the hull of the watercraft and secured to the watercraft with the straps 30 and the stabilization strap system 50. The inflatable vessels 20 are inflated with an inflation pump 60, preferably one that is portable. The inflation pump can be fluidly coupled to a valve 22 on the inflatable vessel 20 to allow the inflatable vessel 20 to receive a supply of gas from the pump 60. To promote stability of the watercraft while it is being raised, the forward most inflatable vessel 20 can be inflated first. Inflatable vessels 20 positioned further aft are then inflated. The watercraft hull is completely lifted out of the water upon inflation of the last vessel 20.

When desired, the watercraft can be lowered into the water, by reversing the inflation steps. To lower the watercraft, the inflatable vessels 20 are allowed to deflate by releasing the valves 22 or pumping air out of the inflatable vessels 20, such as with the pump 60. To promote stability of the watercraft during this lowering process, the aft most inflatable vessel can be deflated first, followed by deflation of more forward inflatable vessels 20.

The devices, systems, and methods described herein advantageously allow a watercraft owner to easily and economically achieve out-of-water storage for the watercraft hull. Moreover, the system described herein is simple, relatively low cost, and easily transportable. The inflatable vessels 20 and/or the straps may be lashed to the dock, allowing for easy exit/entrance of the boat. Also, if pulling the boat out of the water, the vessels 20 and/or straps can be removed, rolled up and stored for later use at either the same or an alternate location. Alternately, the inflatable vessels 20, straps, and inflation pump 60 can be rolled up and stored on the boat such that the boat hull can be raised out of the water as desired at any dock location.

Although certain embodiments and examples have been described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many aspects of the devices, systems, and methods shown and described in the present disclosure may be differently combined and/or modified to form still further embodiments. Additionally, it will be recognized that the methods described herein may be practiced using any system or device suitable for performing the recited steps. Such alternative embodiments and/or uses of the devices, systems, and methods described above and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A flotation device for raising at least a portion of a watercraft hull out of water, the flotation device comprising:

an inflatable vessel configured to be positioned under the watercraft hull; and
a strap system coupled to the inflatable vessel and configured to selectively secure the inflatable vessel to the watercraft and to substantially prevent the inflatable vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the watercraft;
wherein the inflatable vessel is configured to receive a volume of gas such that the inflatable vessel has an inflated state in which the inflatable vessel is buoyant.

2. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the flotation device further comprises a valve configured to receive a supply of gas to inflate the inflatable vessel.

3. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the strap system comprises a plurality of straps configured to extend partially longitudinally with respect to the hull to substantially prevent the vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the hull.

4. The flotation device of claim 1, in combination with and applied to said watercraft.

5. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the strap system comprises first and second straps connected to the vessel and configured to form a generally V-shaped portion of a strap system on a port or starboard side of the watercraft when the flotation device is applied to the watercraft.

6. The flotation device of claim 5, wherein the first strap is coupled to the inflatable vessel at a position approximately 30-120 degrees clockwise rotation from an uppermost point on the inflatable vessel and wherein the second strap is coupled to the inflatable vessel at a position approximately 240-330 degrees clockwise rotation from the uppermost point on the inflatable vessel.

7. The flotation device of claim 5, wherein the first strap and the second strap are each configured to couple to a cleat on the watercraft.

8. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the strap system comprises one or more straps attached to the inflatable vessel and configured to collectively extend across an upper surface of the watercraft from a port side to a starboard side of the watercraft.

9. A flotation system for at least partially raising a watercraft hull out of water, the system comprising:

a forward inflatable vessel configured to be positioned under the watercraft hull and configured when so positioned to extend generally between and toward a port side of the hull and a starboard side of the hull;
an aft inflatable vessel configured to be positioned under the watercraft hull and configured when so positioned to extend generally between and toward a port side of the hull and a starboard side of the hull; and
a strap system coupled to the forward and aft inflatable vessels and configured to selectively secure the inflatable vessels to the watercraft, the strap system comprising straps configured to extend at least partially in a longitudinal direction relative to the watercraft hull to substantially prevent the inflatable vessels from moving longitudinally with respect to the watercraft.

10. The flotation system of claim 9, in combination with and applied to said watercraft.

11. The flotation system of claim 9, further comprising an inflation pump configured to inflate the inflatable vessels of the forward flotation device and the aft flotation device.

12. The flotation system of claim 9, further comprising a center inflatable vessel configured to be positioned underneath the hull and to extend generally from and between the port and starboard sides of the hull, wherein the strap system is coupled to the center vessel and configured to selectively secure the center vessel to the watercraft, the strap system comprising straps configured to extend at least partially in a longitudinal direction relative to the watercraft hull to substantially prevent the center vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the watercraft.

13. The flotation system of claim 9, wherein the strap system comprises:

a first strap and a second strap connected to the forward vessel proximate a port-side end of the forward vessel, the first and second straps configured to form a generally V-shaped portion of the strap system on the port side of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft;
a third strap and a fourth strap connected to the aft vessel proximate a port-side end of the aft vessel, the third and fourth straps configured to form a generally V-shaped portion of the strap system on the port side of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft;
a fifth strap and a sixth strap connected to the forward vessel proximate a starboard-side end of the forward vessel, the fifth and sixth straps configured to form a generally V-shaped portion of the strap system on the starboard side of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft; and
a seventh strap and an eighth strap connected to the aft vessel proximate a starboard-side end of the aft vessel, the seventh and eighth straps configured to form a generally V-shaped portion of the strap system on the starboard side of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft.

14. The flotation system of claim 13, wherein the strap system further comprises a ninth strap coupled to the forward vessel and the aft vessel and configured to limit movement of the forward vessel relative to the aft vessel.

15. The flotation system of claim 9, wherein the strap system comprises:

a first strap connected to the forward vessel proximate a port-side end of the forward vessel, the first strap configured to extend at least partially forward relative to the hull of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft;
a second strap connected to the aft vessel proximate a port-side end of the aft vessel, the second strap configured to extend at least partially aft relative to the hull of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft;
a third strap connected to the forward vessel proximate a starboard-side end of the forward vessel, the third strap configured to extend at least partially forward relative to the hull of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft;
a fourth strap connected to the aft vessel proximate a starboard-side end of the aft vessel, the fourth strap configured to extend at least partially aft relative to the hull of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft; and
a fifth strap coupled to the forward vessel and the aft vessel and configured to limit movement of the forward vessel relative to the aft vessel.

16. A method for raising a watercraft hull out of water, the method comprising:

positioning a first inflatable vessel under the watercraft hull, a first strap being coupled to the first inflatable vessel near an end of the vessel;
securing the first vessel to the watercraft hull with the first strap such that the strap extends at least partially in a longitudinal direction with respect to the hull to restrain the first vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the hull;
positioning a second inflatable vessel under the watercraft hull, a second strap being coupled to the second inflatable vessel near an end of the second vessel;
securing the second vessel to the watercraft hull with the second strap such that the second strap extends at least partially in the longitudinal direction to restrain the second vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the hull;
inflating the first inflatable vessel; and
inflating the second inflatable vessel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein inflating the first and second vessels comprises:

providing a portable pump;
operatively coupling the portable pump to the first inflatable vessel;
operating the portable pump to supply gas to the first inflatable vessel;
operatively coupling the portable pump to the second inflatable vessel; and
operating the portable pump to supply gas to the second inflatable vessel.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the first and second vessels to the watercraft hull comprises tying the first and second straps to cleats on the watercraft.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein inflating the first and second inflatable vessels causes the watercraft hull to be raised completely out of the water.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the first vessel to the watercraft hull comprises strapping the first vessel to the watercraft hull with the first strap and a third strap coupled to the first vessel near said end of the first vessel, such that the first strap and the third strap form a generally V-shaped portion of a strap system; and wherein securing the second vessel to the watercraft hull comprises strapping the second vessel to the watercraft hull with the second strap and a fourth strap coupled to the second vessel near said end of the second vessel, such that the second strap and the fourth strap form a generally V-shaped portion of the strap system.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising using a center strap to restrain movement of the first vessel relative to the second vessel, the center strap being coupled to both the first vessel and the second vessel.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080066670
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 10, 2007
Publication Date: Mar 20, 2008
Inventor: STEVE WALLACH (Nicasio, CA)
Application Number: 11/837,124
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 114/345.000; 114/343.000
International Classification: B63B 7/08 (20060101); B63B 17/00 (20060101);