Variable drive water line airboat

Abstract

An airboat that may include an engine that is mounted to the hull of the airboat at an angle, and at least one propeller mounted to the hull of the airboat at an angle. The canted engine and propeller design may facilitate a lower center of gravity, a lower average center of thrust above the waterline, air induction for reduced surface drag, the lowering of torque roll forces, less overall boat height, and fuel efficiency with a reduced level of noise.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An airboat comprising;
 a hull comprising a substantially flat bottom, a front end and a rear end;   an engine mounted to the hull; and   at least one propeller mounted to the hull near the rear end of the hull, wherein the at least one propeller is operatively connected to the engine,   wherein at least one of the engine and the at least one propeller is mounted at an angle relative to the substantially flat bottom of the hull.   
     
     
         2 . The airboat of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one propeller is two propellers mounted to the hull side by side. 
     
     
         3 . The airboat of  claim 1 , wherein the engine and the at least one propeller are mounted to the hull at an angle relative to the substantially flat bottom of the hull. 
     
     
         4 . The airboat of  claim 1 , further comprising a gear box operatively connected to the engine, wherein the gear box comprises at least one rotating sprocket attached to the at least one propeller via a belt. 
     
     
         5 . The airboat of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable transom. 
     
     
         6 . The airboat of  claim 5 , wherein the retractable transom is operatively connected to an at least one of a pulley and spring system. 
     
     
         7 . The airboat of  claim 5 , wherein the pulley system comprises:
 a plurality of pulleys;   a rope having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the retractable transom, and wherein the rope is wrapped around the pulleys;   a slide track mounted to the bottom of the hull;   a slide bracket that slides along the slide track, wherein the second end of the rope is connected to the slide track;   a spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the spring is attached to the slide bracket; and   an anchor, wherein the second end of the spring is attached to the anchor.   
     
     
         8 . The airboat of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of pulleys is three pulleys. 
     
     
         9 . The airboat of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is around 25 degrees relative to the flat bottom of the hull. 
     
     
         10 . The airboat of  claim 1 , further comprising an airflow escape port through the bottom of the hull, wherein at least a portion of airflow that is produced by the propellers is directed to the airflow escape port.