Bow thruster system for fiberglass boat

Abstract

This disclosure describes bow thruster systems for use in wakesurfing boats when the boat is operating at a slow speed. Additionally, this disclosure describes methods for installing bow thruster systems in the fiberglass hull of a wakersurfing boat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A through hull bow thruster system for a bow of a boat hull, the through hull bow thruster system comprising:
 a first opening positioned in the port side of the boat hull;   a second opening positioned in the starboard side of the boat hull;   a first thruster module in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening, the first opening, the second opening and the first thruster module defining a continuous fluid flow path from a port side to a starboard side of the boat hull.   
     
     
         2 . The through hull bow thruster system of  claim 1  further comprises:
 a first adapter sleeve providing fluid communication between the first opening and the first thruster module; and, 
 a second adapter sleeve providing fluid communication between the second opening and the first thruster module. 
 
     
     
         3 . The through hull bow thruster system of  claim 1 , wherein the first thruster module comprises a first electric motor, the first electric motor driving a first propeller. 
     
     
         4 . The through hull thruster system of  claim 3 , wherein the first electric motor further drives a second propeller. 
     
     
         5 . The through hull bow thruster system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second thruster module in fluid communication with the first opening, the second opening and the first thruster module;   a conduit providing fluid communication between the first and second thruster modules;   the first thruster module comprises a first electric motor, the first electric motor driving a first propeller and the second thruster module comprises a second electric motor, the second electric motor driving a second propeller.   
     
     
         6 . The through hull bow thruster system of  claim 1 , wherein the boat hull is a fiberglass boat hull wherein the first thruster module comprises a first electric motor, the first electric motor driving a first propeller, the first thruster module having a first electrical conduit port, the first electrical conduit port providing a water tight passage for a first electrical connection with the first electric motor and wherein the second thruster module comprises a second electric motor, the second electric motor driving a second propeller, the second thruster module having a second electrical conduit port, the second electrical conduit port providing a water tight passage for a second electrical connection with the second electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The through hull bow thruster system of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening comprises a first flange surface configured to engage an outer surface of the boat hull, a first conduit angled upwardly and inwardly towards a center of the boat hull from the opening, and wherein the second opening comprises a second flange surface configured to engage an outer surface of the boat hull, a second conduit angled upwardly and inwardly towards a center of the boat hull from the second opening, wherein the angle of the first and second conduits relative to an interior of the hull is less than or equal to the dead rise angle of the hull at the location of the first and second openings. 
     
     
         8 . The through hull bow thruster system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller, the controller capable of controlling the first electric motor such that the first electric motor directs fluid flow outward through either the first opening or the second opening. 
     
     
         9 . The through hull bow thruster system of  claim 5 , further comprising a controller, the controller capable of controlling both electric motors such that only one electric motor directs fluid flow outward through either the first opening or the second opening or the controller capable of controlling both electric motors such that both electric motors provide direct fluid flow outward through either the first opening or the second opening. 
     
     
         10 . The through hull bow thruster system of  claim 1 , wherein the thruster system is located on the hull at a location which remains below a water line of the boat when the boat is underway at speeds less than 8 mph. 
     
     
         11 . A fiberglass boat having a hull with a through hull bow thruster system, the through hull bow thruster system comprising:
 a first opening positioned in the port side of the hull;   a second opening positioned in the starboard side of the hull;   a conduit joining the first and second opening, the first opening, the second opening and the conduit defining a continuous fluid flow path from a port side to a starboard side of the boat hull;   a first electric motor, the first electric motor driving a first propeller, the first electric motor and the first propeller housed within the conduit;   a second electric motor, the second electric motor driving a second propeller, the second electric motor and the second propeller housed within the conduit.   
     
     
         12 . The fiberglass boat of  claim 11 , having a hull with a through hull bow thruster system, wherein the through hull bow thruster system further comprises:
 a first adapter sleeve providing fluid communication between the first opening and the conduit; and,   a second adapter sleeve providing fluid communication between the second opening and the conduit.   
     
     
         13 . The fiberglass boat of  claim 12 , having a hull with a through hull bow thruster system, wherein the conduit has a first electrical conduit port, the first electrical conduit port providing a water tight passage for a first electrical connection with the first electric motor and a second electrical conduit port, the second electrical conduit port providing a water tight passage for a second electrical connection with the second electric motor. 
     
     
         14 . A method for fitting a bow thruster system to a bow of a boat, the boat having a fiberglass hull comprising:
 identifying a first location on a port side of the bow of the fiberglass hull and a second location on the starboard side of the fiberglass hull wherein the first location and the second location are transversely located on opposite sides of the fiberglass hull at a location which is below a water line of the boat when the boat is underway at a speed less than 5 mph;   cutting a first hole through the fiberglass hull at the first location;   cutting a second hole through the fiberglass hull at the second location;   positioning a first flanged port in the first hole, the first flanged port having a flange surface which fits substantially flush with the bow of the fiberglass hull;   securing the first flanged port in the first hole using a waterproof sealant;   positioning a second flanged port in the second hole, the second flanged port having a flange surface which fits substantially flush with the bow of the fiberglass hull;   securing the second flanged port in the second hole using a waterproof sealant;   providing a first thruster module:
 the first thruster module having a first motor the first motor supporting at least one propeller; and, 
 the first thruster module having at least one first electrical conduit port providing a water tight passage through the first thruster module; 
   wherein the first thruster module provides fluid communication between the first and second flanged ports;   a controller in electrical communication with the first motor through the first electrical conduit port, the controller configured to direct operation of the first motor.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first thruster module further comprises a second motor, the second motor supporting at least one propeller and a second electrical conduit port providing water tight passage through the first thruster module, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the first motor through the first electrical conduit port and the second motor through the second electrical conduit port, the controller configured to direct operation of the first motor and the second motor. 
     
     
         16 . A method for fitting a bow thruster system to a bow of a boat, the boat having a fiberglass hull comprising:
 identifying a first location on a port side of the bow of the fiberglass hull and a second location on the starboard side of the fiberglass hull wherein the first location and the second location are transversely located on opposite sides of the fiberglass hull at a location which is below a water line of the boat when the boat is underway at a speed less than 5 mph;   cutting a first hole through the fiberglass hull at the first location;   cutting a second hole through the fiberglass hull at the second location;   positioning a first flanged port in the first hole, the first flanged port having a flange surface which fits substantially flush with the bow of the fiberglass hull and a first conduit which passes to an interior of the fiberglass hull;   securing the first flanged port in the first hole using a gelcoat fiberglass cement;   positioning a second flanged port in the second hole, the second flanged port having a flange surface which fits substantially flush with the bow of the fiberglass hull and a second conduit which passes to an interior of the fiberglass hull;   securing the second flanged port in the second hole using a gelcoat fiberglass cement;   providing a first thruster module:
 the first thruster module having a first motor the first motor supporting at least one propeller; and, 
 the first thruster module having at least one first electrical conduit port providing a water tight passage; 
   providing a second thruster module:
 the second thruster module having a second motor the second motor supporting at least one propeller; and, 
 the second thruster module having at least one second electrical conduit port providing a water tight passage; 
   positioning a first adaptor sleeve on the first conduit, the first adaptor secured in a water tight manner to the first conduit;   positioning a second adaptor sleeve on the second conduit, the second adaptor secured in a water tight manner to the second conduit;   securing the first thruster module to the first adaptor in a water tight manner;   securing the second thruster module to the second adaptor in a water tight manner;   joining the first and second thruster modules in a water tight manner to provide a continuous fluid flow path from the first flanged port to the second flanged port;   a controller in electrical communication with the first thruster through the first electrical conduit port, the controller configured to direct operation of the first motor.