GB577497A - Improvements in boat construction - Google Patents

Abstract

577,497. Sectional boats. DRAPER, N. March 10, 1944, No. 4503. [Classes 113 (ii) and 114] A collapsable sectional boat comprises a number of longitudinal sections III . . . VI hingedly secured to one another and to bow and stern sections I, II, the longitudinal side sections III, IV or all the sections being of cellular construction to increase its buoyancy. The latter may be obtained by using three skins 22, 23, 25, the outer spaces 24 containing cork waste, sponge rubber, fibre or like buoyant material, and the larger inner spaces 26 being sealed to serve as air pockets. Some of the spaces 26 may be fitted with closures and serve for the storage of food, tools and equipment. Sections I, II are hinged at 10, 11 to sections III, IV, whilst the bottom sections V, VI are hinged at 15 to the bottom portions 13 of the sections III, IV and at 18 to the keel member 19. Flexible gussets 39 are connected between the sections III, IV and the sections V, VI. Sections I, II may be bottomless and water kept out of the body of the boat by bulkheads 33 and waterproof canvas or flexible skin secured thereto and to the sections V, VI. The stern bulkhead 33 may carry an outboard motor. The walls of the sections I, II are hinged at 35, 36 to the stem 27 and stern post 30. The ends of the keel 19 are tongued at 37 to engage the slotted ends of the keel parts 28, 31 of the sections I, II. When afloat, collapse of the boat is prevented by toggle links or knee-jointed stays 34. When the boat is lifted it collapses into the position shown in Fig. 5. Curved fins 38 on the sections V, VI ,assist the boat to open out, and steady it when afloat. The centre of the keel 19 may carry a drop-keel or centre-board 40 held in the desired position by a pin 41 and formed hollow to serve as a tank for storing drinking water. The skins, ribs and frames may be made from plywood, sheet metal, or moulded plastic material and the outer walls of the sections V, VI may be covered with rubber. The Provisional Specification also refers to the boat being bolted up into a rigid shape and to the use of two engines.