Boat with center pontoon and separate motor mount

Details Boat with center pontoon and separate motor mount Boat with center pontoon and separate motor mount

2001-05-03

2002-11-12

Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)

Ships

Displacement-type hull

Multiple hulls

C440S049000, C440S053000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06477969

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to mounts for outboard engines. More particularly, the invention pertains to adjustable mounts intended for use with pontoon boats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pontoon boats include a pair of elongated pontoons which support a platform spanning between the pontoons. An outboard engine or outboard motor (terms used interchangeably) is supported from the platform at a position intermediate the pontoons at a rear of the boat.
An engine mount is connected to an underside of the platform. The engine mount comprises an elongated hollow body or trough which extends longitudinally and rearwardly of the rear end (stem end) of the platform. The body is exposed to the water beneath the boat. The engine mount is substantially closed except for a top opening at a rear of the boat. A fuel tank is held within the body, accessed through the top opening. The outboard motor is bolted to the rear wall of the body.
The prior known mount is non-adjustably fixed to the platform. No range of vertical adjustment for the outboard engine is provided by the mount.
U.S. Ser. No. 09/641,061, filed Aug. 17, 2000, entitled “Engine Mount,” and assigned to the assignee of the present application, discloses a vertically adjustable engine mount for a watercraft, arranged between side pontoons.
The present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable to provide a center pontoon for a watercraft, to improve performance and turning of the watercraft, wherein the center pontoon is compatible with a vertically adjustable engine mount of the watercraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A watercraft, such as a pontoon boat, includes a platform supported on a pair of outside pontoons and a center pontoon. The center pontoon includes a substantially cylindrical body having a relieved top surface at a rear end of the cylindrical body.
The watercraft includes an adjustable engine mount for mounting an outboard motor or engine at adjustable heights with respect to the platform, and in effect, to the waterline. The engine mount includes a mount body pivotally connected to the platform at a forward end, and vertically adjustable with respect to the platform at a rearward end.
The mount body includes a rear wall which carries the outboard motor. The mount body overlies the center pontoon in substantial part over the relieved top surface of the cylindrical body.
The relieved top surface of the cylindrical body of the center pontoon allows clearance for adjustable vertical movement of the mount body. The relieved top surface can be formed by a flat wall portion angled downwardly toward a rear of the boat. Alternatively, the relieved top surface can be formed by a concave profile trough or indent, preferably sloped downwardly toward a rear of the boat.
The use of a center pontoon increases the flotation, turning and performance of the boat. Providing the flexibility of vertical adjustment of the outboard motor with the center pontoon further increases the overall turning and performance of the boat.
The present invention may create a “hard water pocket” in the vicinity of the propeller which also improves performance of the watercraft.
The adjustable engine mount includes a tapered, elongated body which is couplable to, and vertically adjustable relative to, the hull of the boat. The body has a first, smaller end oriented toward the bow of the watercraft and a second, wider end positioned adjacent to the stern of the craft.
An engine-mounting wall or mounting plate is attached to the second end of the body. An outboard motor or outboard engine can be attached to the mounting plate.
By vertically adjusting the body with respect to the hull, the elevation of the outboard motor with respect to the watercraft or with respect to the waterline, can be adjusted. The adjustment can be utilized to optimize performance of an outboard motor. The adjustment provides flexibility and facilitates the use of different model outboard motors on the watercraft.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3289226 (1966-12-01), Thompson
patent: 3942457 (1976-03-01), Keyes et al.
patent: 5191848 (1993-03-01), Hatfield
patent: 5259331 (1993-11-01), Hagan
patent: 5911187 (1999-06-01), Sohm

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Boat with center pontoon and separate motor mount does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Boat with center pontoon and separate motor mount, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Boat with center pontoon and separate motor mount will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2917279