Sailing craft with wheels

Abstract

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a sailing craft having a frame, a sail affixed to the frame, and buoyant wheels. In one embodiment, the frame has four sides and has a rectangular shape. Two or more buoyant wheels are attached to one side of the frame, and two or more buoyant wheels are attached to the opposite side of the frame. Each buoyant wheel is capable of contributing to at least one of floatation, steering, and tracking. In one such embodiment, some or all of the wheels have a fin or fins on some or all of its perimeter.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 464,542, filed on Apr. 22, 2003, by Jason H. Eveleth, entitled “Sailing Craft with Wheels,” attorney docket no. XYP-001PR.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed generally to the field of water craft. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a sailing craft with wheels. BACKGROUND [0003] Youngsters often start to learn to sail when they are eight to ten years old. Unfortunately many of the boats used to teach them are either difficult to handle, too heavy, too complex or not fun to sail. Traditional sailboats for youngsters generally fall into three categories: sailing dinghies, small single-handed boats (primarily designed for adults), and small catamarans. [0004] Sailing dinghies, such as the OPTIMIST, available from Vanguard Sailboats of Portsmouth, R.I., are small, relatively light, and not easily tipped over, but t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a simple, light-weight, and fast sailing craft that is designed for children and youngsters. It is easy to operate, stable, and can be controlled easily by youngsters. The craft has wheels that are buoyant, which means they provide flotation, steering, and tracking. The wheels can also be equipped with fins to help with steering and tracking. The craft can be a small catamaran-type boat or a performance sailboat with additional sails and more powerful engines. It is a safe and stable water vehicle that can be controlled by children and youngsters. The invention is a versatile and adaptable design that can be used for different purposes and in different conditions."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately many of the boats used to teach them are either difficult to handle, too heavy, too complex or not fun to sail.

Sailing dinghies, such as the OPTIMIST, available from Vanguard Sailboats of Portsmouth, R.I., are small, relatively light, and not easily tipped over, but they are complex to sail, and also are slow.

Also, youngsters outgrow them all too quickly because they are small.

Single-handed boats, such as the SUNFISH or LASER, also available from Vanguard Sailboats, are faster and fun, but are often too heavy for small children.

Further, they can be difficult to land at a beach because their centerboards and rudders must be retracted.

Small catamarans, such as the HOBIE WAVE, from Hobie Cat of Oceanside, Calif., are a favorite for young sailors because they are fast, but they can be difficult to turn.

They turn more easily if two sails are used, for example a mainsail and a jib, but this requires two sailors and skill.

But even the smallest of the small catamarans can be too heavy for some youngsters.

However they do not tip over as easily as the single-handed boats because they do not have rounded bottoms.

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