SURF DEVICE FOR DUAL SIDE SURF WAKE

Abstract

A towboat hull configured to shape a desired wake shape by creating an adjustable dual side surf wake as the vessel travels through water. Controlled shaping of the wake is achieved by a secondary thrust flow redirector unit that has flow redirectors that redirect the thrust flow from a propeller as the towboat moves in a forward direction. The flow redirectors can create a single side surf wake on either side of the towboat or can simultaneously create an side surf wakes on both sides of the towboat. The adjustable flow redirector can create side surf wake with a controlled shape that is desirable for wake surfing.

Description

Claims

1. An article of manufacture, configured to be operably attached aft of a propeller of a steering device on a towboat, the article of manufacture comprising: a secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprising: at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector having a left side surface, a right side surface, and a forward leading edge, and configured to extend past an underside of the towboat and be located aft of the propeller, such that, when the flow redirector is moved or rotated, flow thrust originating from the propeller is redirected to a side of the towboat to shape a wake for wake surfing.

2. The article of manufacture according to claim 1, wherein the secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprises a pair of movable or rotatable flow redirectors.

3. The article of manufacture according to claim 1, wherein the flow redirector has a vertical length of at least 3 inches to 6 feet.

4. The article of manufacture according to claim 1, further comprising a pod that comprises the secondary thrust flow redirector unit, the pod configured to be operably attached to extend from a stern of the towboat, wherein the at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector extends from an underside of the pod.

5. The article of manufacture according to claim 4, wherein the pod is modular and is configured to be operably attached to the stern of the towboat.

6. The article of manufacture according to claim 4, wherein the pod is integrated with a hull of the towboat.

7. A method for shaping a wake to a side of a towboat, the method comprising: obtaining a towboat having operably arranged thereon a secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprising at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector, arranged on or to a side of a centerline of the towboat, the at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector having a left side surface, a right side surface, and a forward leading edge, and extending past an underside of the towboat and located aft of a propeller of a steering device;utilizing the propeller to generate a thrust flow that flows past the forward leading edge of the at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector to create a wake at the stern of the towboat; andmoving or rotating the at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector to redirect the thrust flow and thereby adjustably shape a wake at a side of the towboat.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprises a pair of movable or rotatable flow redirectors arranged side-by-side in spaced relation, one on each side of the centerline, the pair being aft of the propeller, and wherein the method further comprises: moving or rotating the paired flow redirectors such that the thrust flow is divided to both the left side and the right side of the towboat to thereby adjustably shape a wake on each side of the towboat.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the towboat comprises a pod, the pod comprising the secondary thrust flow redirector unit, the pod being operably attached to extend from a stern of the towboat, and wherein the at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector extends from an underside of the pod.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pod is modular and is operably attached to the stern of the towboat.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pod is integrated with a hull of the towboat.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pod extends from the stern of the towboat and the underside of the pod is above a water line.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pod extends from the stern of the towboat and the underside of the pod is coplanar with the underside of the towboat.

14. An improved watercraft, the watercraft comprising a vessel hull having an underside, and a steering device comprising a propeller configured to generate a thrust flow for the watercraft operably engaged with the vessel hull, wherein the improvement comprises: a secondary thrust flow redirector unit located aft of the propeller, the secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprising at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector extending past the underside of the vessel hull and configured to redirect the thrust flow of the watercraft to adjustably control the shape of a wake of the watercraft or to cause the watercraft to yaw sideways as it is moving in a forward direction.

15. The improved watercraft according to claim 14, wherein the secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprises a pair of movable or rotatable flow redirectors.

16. The improved watercraft according to claim 14, wherein the flow redirector has a vertical length of at least 3 inches to 6 feet.

17. The improved watercraft according to claim 14, further comprising a pod that comprises the secondary thrust flow redirector unit, the pod configured to be operably attached to extend from a stern of the vessel hull, wherein the at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector extends from an underside of the pod.

18. The improved watercraft according to claim 17, wherein the pod is modular and is configured to be operably attached to the stern of the vessel hull.

19. The improved watercraft according to claim 17, wherein the pod is integrated with the vessel hull.

20. The improved watercraft according to claim 17, wherein the pod is configured to extend from the stern of the vessel hull and to have an underside that is above a water line.

21. The improved watercraft according to claim 17, wherein the pod extends from the stern of the vessel hull and has an underside that is coplanar with the underside of the vessel hull.