Modern forward engine, planing v-hull boat

Abstract

A V-hull boat design having the engine placed forward of the longitudinal centerline offers advantages over traditional boat designs. The engine is placed forward of the longitudinal centerline of the boat and under the walking deck within the passenger cabin such that it does not interfere with the placement of passenger seating within the boat. Placement of the engine in a position forward of the longitudinal centerline of the boat moves the center of gravity of the boat forward compared with traditional I/O, V drives, and direct drives. By placing the engine forward of the longitudinal centerline, in a location that is generally not utilized in the hull of the boat, substantial passenger and cargo room is preserved in the aft half of the boat. Bow rise during acceleration is reduced; ride comfort is improved through chop or waves; and wake performance behind the boat is improved.

1 . A V-hull boat comprising:
 a hull, a walking deck within a passenger cabin, a seat at a selected height substantially below a gunwale, a keel, a bow, and a stern defined by a transom, wherein a longitudinal midpoint between said bow and said transom defines a longitudinal centerline;   an engine positioned between said bow and said longitudinal centerline of the V-hull boat at a deepest part of said the hull beneath said passenger cabin, and at least below said selected height of said seat and below said walking deck of said passenger cabin, said engine being positioned proximate said keel of the V-hull boat, wherein said engine is positioned between said bow and said longitudinal centerline of the V-hull boat whereby bow rise during acceleration to plane is reduced.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The V-hull boat of  claim 1  wherein said engine is used in conjunction with a drive selected from the group consisting of a direct drive, a V drive, a jet drive, a pod drive, and a stern drive. 
     
     
         4 . The V-hull boat of  claim 3  wherein the V-hull boat further comprises a shaft for transferring drive thrust from said engine to a propeller positioned near the stern of the hull. 
     
     
         5 . The V-hull boat of  claim 1  wherein the V-hull boat further comprises a shaft for transferring drive thrust from said engine to a jet drive positioned near the stern of the hull. 
     
     
         6 . The V-hull boat of  claim 1  wherein the V-hull boat further comprises a shaft for transferring drive thrust from said engine to a stern drive near the stern of the hull. 
     
     
         7 . The V-hull boat of  claim 1  wherein said engine is directly coupled to a pod drive. 
     
     
         8 . In a V-hull boat having a walking deck within a passenger cabin, a seat at a selected height substantially below a gunwale, a hull, a keel, a bow, a stern defined by a transom, and an engine, wherein a longitudinal midpoint between said bow and said transom defines a longitudinal centerline, wherein the improvement comprises:
 said engine being positioned between said bow and said longitudinal centerline of the V-hull boat at least below said selected height of said seat and at a deepest part of the hull and below said walking deck of said passenger cabin, said engine being positioned proximate said keel of said hull, whereby said engine being positioned between said bow and a longitudinal center of gravity of said V-hull at said deepest part of the hull forces the bow to cut through a wave rather than be pushed up by the wave when the boat is in motion on water.   
     
     
         9 . The V-hull boat of  claim 8  wherein said engine is positioned between said bow and said longitudinal centerline of the V-hull boat and below said walking deck. 
     
     
         10 . The V-hull boat of  claim 8  wherein said engine is used in conjunction with a drive selected from the group consisting of a direct drive, a V drive, a jet drive, a pod drive, and a stern drive. 
     
     
         11 . The V-hull boat of  claim 8  wherein the V-hull boat further conprises a shaft for transferring drive thrust from said engine to a propeller positioned near the stern of the hull. 
     
     
         12 . The V-hull boat of  claim 8  wherein the V-hull boat further comprises a shaft for transferring drive thrust from said engine to a jet drive positioned near the stern of the hull. 
     
     
         13 . The V-hull boat of  claim 8  wherein the V-hull boat further comprises a shaft for transferring drive thrust from said engine to a stern drive near the stern of the hull. 
     
     
         14 . The V-hull boat of  claim 8  wherein said engine is directly coupled to a pod drive.