Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft

Abstract

An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel. The vessel is configured to carry an auxiliary vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, preferably on its deck. The all terrain vehicle can be driven onto and off of the vessel. When in the vessel, the auxiliary vehicle engages a transmission that transfers power to the vessel's propulsion system. When the vessel reaches its destination, the auxiliary vehicle can be driven off the vessel. Later, the auxiliary vehicle can be returned to the vessel and used to power the vessel again. The preferred embodiment of the vessel is provided with a “mud boat” propulsion system to allow operation in shallow waters. The preferred embodiment of the vessel is also designed to overcome the stability challenges posed by the high center of gravity that will arise from carrying objects such the auxiliary vehicle in the vessel, particularly if such objects are transported on deck.

1 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel comprising: 
 a hull having a bow opposite a stern, a bottom extending from said bow to said stern, a deck opposite said bottom, sidewalls extending from said bottom to said deck, and a longitudinal centerline extending from said bow to said stern along a path substantially equidistant from each of said sidewalls, said centerline having a midpoint;    a means of propulsion extending from said vessel proximate said stern;    wherein said deck is configured to allow a wheeled motorized auxiliary vehicle to be driven onto and off of said deck, said deck further configured to secure said auxiliary vehicle over said centerline;    a transmission operatively connecting said auxiliary vehicle to said means of propulsion, whereby operation of said motor of said auxiliary vehicle will drive said means of propulsion; and    wherein said hull has a width between said sidewalls not more than about seven feet and wherein said vessel has a draft of not more than about eleven inches when said vessel has a total loaded weight of not more than about 1900 pounds.    
   
   
       2 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 1  wherein said vessel has a draft of not more than about five inches when said vessel has a total loaded weight of not more than about 1900 pounds.  
   
   
       3 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 1  wherein said means of propulsion comprises a propellor.  
   
   
       4 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 3  wherein said propellor is mounted on a shaft extending through said bottom of said hull.  
   
   
       5 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 4  wherein said bottom further comprises a channel shaped indentation extending inward toward said deck, wherein said shaft and said propellor are disposed within said channel shaped indentation, whereby rotation of said propellor is at least partially shielded by said hull and said channel shaped indentation.  
   
   
       6 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 5  further comprising a skid plate extending from said bottom opposite said channel shaped indentation and positioned below said propellor.  
   
   
       7 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 1  wherein said bottom is substantially flat.  
   
   
       8 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 7  having a center of gravity positioned above said deck when said vessel is fully loaded.  
   
   
       9 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 8  wherein said center of gravity is positioned at least about two feet above said bottom of said hull.  
   
   
       10 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 1  wherein said deck is configured to allow said wheels of said auxiliary vehicle to be rotated by said motor without advancing said auxiliary vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 10  wherein said transmission is configured to operatively engage at least one of said wheels of said auxiliary vehicle whereby rotation of said at least one wheel will drive said transmission and said propellor.  
   
   
       12 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 11  wherein said transmission is configured to drive said propellor in a first direction when said at least one wheel is rotated clockwise and in a second direction when said at least one wheel is rotated counter-clockwise.  
   
   
       13 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 12  wherein said transmission is configured to drive said propellor at a rate of rotation that varies with the rate of rotation of said at least one wheel.  
   
   
       14 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 1  wherein said transmission comprises a gear box.  
   
   
       15 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel comprising: 
 a hull having a bow opposite a stern, a bottom extending from said bow to said stern, a deck opposite said bottom, sidewalls extending from said bottom to said deck, and a longitudinal centerline extending from said bow to said stern along a path substantially equidistant from each of said sidewalls, said centerline having a midpoint;    a means of propulsion extending from said vessel proximate said stern;    wherein said deck is configured to allow a wheeled motorized auxiliary vehicle to be driven onto and off of said deck, said deck further configured to secure said auxiliary vehicle over said centerline;    a transmission operatively connecting said auxiliary vehicle to said means of propulsion, whereby operation of said motor of said auxiliary vehicle will drive said means of propulsion; wherein said transmission comprises an hydraulic tank; an hydraulic pump; an hydraulic motor operatively connected to said propellor, whereby operation of said hydraulic motor will cause said propellor to rotate; and at least one hydraulic line connecting said hydraulic tank, said hydraulic pump, and said hydraulic motor; and    wherein said hull has a width between said sidewalls not more than about seven feet and wherein said vessel has a draft of not more than about eleven inches when said vessel has a total loaded weight of not more than about 1900 pounds.    
   
   
       16 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 1  further comprising a rudder pivotably attached to said vessel proximate to and aft of said means of propulsion, whereby said vessel may be steered by operation of said rudder.  
   
   
       17 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 16  further comprising a rudder control configured to allow an operator on said deck to control said rudder.  
   
   
       18 . An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel according to  claim 17  wherein said auxiliary vehicle has at least one pivotable front wheel and wherein said rudder control is operatively connected to said at least one pivotable front wheel, whereby pivoting said at least one pivotable front wheel will cause said rudder to pivot.