Finkeel for boats, with movable lee-boards

Abstract

The invention relates to a finkeel ( 3 ) for boats, having a fixed part ( 30 ) attached to the hull ( 2 ) of the boat and a movable part consisting of two lee-boards ( 32, 33 ) hinged with respect to an axis lying in the midplane (M) of the finkeel. The two lee-boards ( 32, 33 ) rotate independently of each other, so that one may be used to counter heel the inclination of the boat caused by the wind during sailing, while the other allows to keep unchanged the resistance to the leeway of the hull.

1 . Finkeel for boats, characterized in that it comprises a fixed portion with an end for connection to a hull and a moving portion comprising a pair of lee-boards arranged on the fixed portion, rotatable in a hinged manner on opposite sides with reference to a midplane of the fixed part.  
     
     
         2 . Finkeel according to  claim 1 , wherein the lee-boards are rotatable independently of each other.  
     
     
         3 . Finkeel according to  claim 2 , wherein the lee-boards are provided with respective ballast elements.  
     
     
         4 . Finkeel according to  claim 3 , wherein the ballast elements are arranged at the ends of the respective lee-boards.  
     
     
         5 . Finkeel according to  claim 1 , wherein the lee-boards are rotatable with respect to a same axis lying on a midplane of the fixed portion.  
     
     
         6 . Finkeel according to  claim 5 , wherein the lee-boards are hinged on a shaft arranged along their axis of rotation by means of respective sleeves.  
     
     
         7 . Finkeel according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said sleeves is rotationally integral with the shaft where the arms are arranged, said arms being operated by respective actuators.  
     
     
         8 . Finkeel according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said sleeves is idle with respect to the shaft and is provided with arms operated by respective actuators.  
     
     
         9 . Finkeel according to  claim 1 , wherein the lee-boards are substantially symmetrical and adjacent to each other in the condition aligned with the midplane of the hull.  
     
     
         10 . Finkeel according to  claim 1 , wherein the lee-boards have a matching form with elements interposing with each other, in the condition aligned with the midplane of the fixed part.  
     
     
         11 . Finkeel according to  claim 1 , wherein the lee-boards are rotatable about respective parallel axes arranged on opposite sides with respect to the midplane of the fixed part.  
     
     
         12 . Finkeel according to  claim 1 , wherein the lee-boards extend from the end of the fixed part, opposite to the connection end thereof.  
     
     
         13 . Finkeel according to  claim 2 , wherein the axes of rotation of the lee-boards are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat's hull.