Appeal No. 95-2081
Application 07/825,778
APPENDED CLAIM
1. An improved propulsion system for a powerboat of
the type having a tunnel located on the exterior of the hull
of the powerboat and a surface-piercing propeller within the
tunnel, the improvement comprising:
said tunnel including a roof element immovably fixed
thereto, said roof element having a substantially semi-
circular cross-section at least in the vicinity of the
propeller, said roof element having an upper surface and a
lower surface;
means for drawing air from the exterior of the
powerboat external to the tunnel and conveying it to the
tunnel, said air flowing forwardly above the upper surface of
said roof element by reduction of pressure created by said
propeller;
means for admitting said air to the tunnel forward
of the propeller; and
the height of said tunnel forward of the vicinity of
the propeller diminishing to a point approximately one inch
above the bottom of the hull, the tunnel having a forward
vertical wall being approximately one inch in height, air
being admitted into the tunnel by an air outlet located
rearward of said vertical wall and forward of said propeller.
- A1 -
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