Docking and steering system

Abstract

A boat camper vessel 10 has a pair of pontoons 12, 13 joined by a bridge 44 that provides the deck of the vessel. A main canopy 22 stores in the bow when not is use. The raised canopy 22 is supported by ribs 220 and it extends from the bow 30 to a stern bulkhead 20 or 21. Two stern bulkheads 20, 21 define a stern compartment 60 has holds a toilet 29, shower 34 and water heater 35. An auxiliary canopy 88 covers the stem compartment 60. Marine electric motors in the pontoons drive propellers to propel the vessel. It be vessel is suitable for travel on canals, small lakes and other protected bodies or water. It may be docked or placed on land and will serve as a camper whether on water or land.

1 . A system for moving a water vessel comprising a water vessel; a first propeller with a first rotational handedness; and a second propeller with a second rotational handedness which is opposite the first rotational handedness, wherein the first and second propellers are independently controllable such that one propeller may be in reverse while the other propeller is in forward.  
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second propellers are stern propellers.  
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second propellers are each mounted to the water vessel such that each of their axis of rotation is fixed.  
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a first and second rudder disposed after of the first and second propeller, respectively.  
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each of said rudders is pivotable relative to each of the axes of rotation.  
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second propellers each have an axis of rotation substantially parallel to one another.  
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the water vessel is substantially parallel to each of the axes of rotation of the first and second propellers.  
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a computer configured to independently control the thrust and direction of rotation of the first and second propeller.  
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the computer is further configured to place the first propeller in reverse, the second propeller in forward, and to balance the forward thrust of the second propeller and the reverse thrust of the first propeller such that the two thrusts cancel, thus providing a force in a first direction substantially perpendicular to each of the axes of rotation.  
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the computer is further configured to place the first propeller in forward, the second propeller in reverse, and to balance the reverse thrust of the second propeller and the forward thrust of the first propeller such that the two thrusts cancel, thus providing a force in a second direction substantially perpendicular to each of the axes of rotation, wherein said second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.  
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said computer is further comprised of a control panel for receiving input concerning a desired direction of motion.  
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said control panel is comprised of a joystick that moves in 360 degrees.  
     
     
         13 . A system for moving a water vessel comprising a water vessel; a first propeller with a first rotational handedness, a second propeller with a second rotational handedness which is opposite the first rotational handedness; and a computer wherein 
 a. the first and second propellers each have an axis of rotation substantially parallel to one another;    b. the first and second propellers are each mounted to the water vessel such that each of their axes of rotation is fixed;    c. the longitudinal axis of the water vessel is substantially parallel to each of the axes of rotation of the first and second propellers;    d. the computer is configured to independently control the thrust and direction of rotation of the first and second propeller such that one propeller may be in reverse while the other propeller is in forward.    
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the computer is further configured to place the first propeller in reverse, the second propeller in forward, and to balance the forward thrust of the second propeller and the reverse thrust of the first propeller such that the two thrusts cancel, thus providing a force in a first direction substantially perpendicular to each of the axes of rotation.  
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the computer is further configured to place the first propeller in forward, the second propeller in reverse, and to balance the reverse thrust of the second propeller and the forward thrust of the first propeller such that the two thrusts cancel, thus providing a force in a second direction substantially perpendicular to each of the axes of rotation, wherein said second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.  
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the computer is further configured to place the first propeller in reverse, the second propeller in forward, and to partially balance the forward thrust of the second propeller and the reverse thrust of the first propeller such that the two thrusts partially cancel, thus providing a force in a third direction at an angle relative to the axes of rotation.  
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the computer is further configured to place the first propeller in forward, the second propeller in reverse, and to partially balance the reverse thrust of the second propeller and the forward thrust of the first propeller such that the two thrusts partially cancel, thus providing a force in a fourth direction at an angle relative to the axes of rotation.  
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a joystick connected to said computer for providing information to the computer concerning a desired direction of motion, wherein the joystick moves in 360 degrees.  
     
     
         19 . A method for moving a water vessel comprising the steps of: 
 a. disposing a water vessel in a body of water, wherein the water vessel is comprised of 
 i. a first propeller with a first rotational handedness;  
 ii. a second propeller with a second rotational handedness which is opposite the first rotational handedness;  
 iii. the first and second propellers each have an axis of rotation substantially parallel to one another;  
   b. reversing the direction of rotation of the first propeller, such that the first and second propellers have the same direction of rotation, but opposing thrusts along each of their axis of rotation, thus providing a net force in the direction of rotation;    c. balancing the thrust provided by the second propeller to substantially cancel the thrust provided by the first propeller, thus providing substantially no force along the axis of rotation;    d. moving the boat in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first and second propellers.    
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising a first and second rudder disposed after of the first and second propeller, respectively wherein each of said rudders is independently controllable by the computer.