Controllable fin surface configuration for watercraft

Abstract

A controllable fin surface configuration positionable on the underwater surface of a craft having a bow and a stern, the craft having a direction of travel defined from the stern to the bow, the configuration comprising: at least one hinge adapted to mechanically support the fin surface configuration; and at least one fin surface mechanically attached to the hinge and having a range of motion definable from a closed state to an open state; wherein the closed state is defined by the fin surface configuration offering minimal resistance to relative water movement opposing the direction of travel and the open state is defined by the fin surface configuration offering maximum resistance to relative water movement in the direction of travel.

Description

BENEFIT OF PRIOR APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 224,971, filed Jul. 13, 2009 whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The current invention relates to a controllable fin surface configuration for watercraft and specifically a fin surface configuration to enhance watercraft stability and movement. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a fin surface configuration and method to enhance stability and movement of a surf board and similar type watercraft.[0003]In the specification and claims which follow, the term “watercraft” is meant to mean any boat or recreational craft meant to move above or partially submerged in the water. Salient examples of watercraft include but are not limited to: a surfboard; a wind surfboard; and a light boat propelled by oars and / or motors.[0004]There are many kinds of watercraft utilizing unnecessary energy to overc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a controllable fin surface configuration positionable on the underwater surface of a craft having a bow and a stern, the craft having a direction of travel defined from the stern to the bow, the configuration comprising: at least one hinge adapted to mechanically support the fin surface configuration; and at least one fin surface mechanically attached to the hinge and having a range of motion definable from a closed state to an open state; wherein the closed state is defined by the fin surface configuration offering minimal resistance to relative water movement opposing the direction of travel and the open state is defined by the fin surface configuration offering maximum resistance to relative water movement in the direction of travel.

Problems solved by technology

However the “normally open” configuration of Harper's stabilizer keel ensures high resistance at relatively slow speeds, which could be disadvantageous, for example, with only human power especially when considering the case of a surfboard.

Paddling the surfboard against incoming waves involves strength, and the keel or other prior art surfaces described hereinabove offer little advantage or perhaps a serious disadvantage to the surfer.

Likewise, when a surfer is preparing to catch a wave, he must quickly paddle towards the beach to increase his speed, with the prior art surfaces described above hardly serves any advantage, if at all.

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