WATER CRAFT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A WATER CRAFT

Abstract

Water craft comprising a hull, with an opening and a lowerable segment arranged in said opening. The lowerable segment is coupled to the hull via a lifting mechanism for lowering or raising the lowerable segment with respect to the hull between a first position in which an outer surface of a bottom wall of the segment is substantially flush with the outer surface of a bottom of the hull adjacent to the segment, and a second position wherein the segment is arranged below the water line of the hull. The lowerable segment comprises a lower watertight compartment and an upper compartment that can at least partially be filled with water when the segment is lowered and can be drained when the segment is raised. When in the first position, a wall between the lower and upper compartment is arranged at a level at or near the water line.

Claims

1. A water craft comprising a hull, wherein the water craft comprises first water line at lightweight displacement of the water craft and a second water line at full load displacement of the water craft, wherein the hull comprises an opening and a lowerable segment arranged in said opening, wherein the lowerable segment is coupled to the hull via a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lower or raise the lowerable segment with respect to the hull between a first position in which an outer surface of a bottom wall of the lowerable segment is substantially flush with a part of the outer surface of a bottom of the hull adjacent to the lowerable segment, wherein the lowerable segment extends in a substantially vertical direction between the bottom of the hull to a position above the second water line of the hull, and a second position in which an outer surface of a bottom wall of the lowerable segment is arranged below said part of the outer surface of a bottom of the hull adjacent to the lowerable segment, wherein the lowerable segment is arranged below the second water line of the water craft, wherein the lowerable segment comprises a substantially horizontal partition plate which divides the lowerable segment in a lower compartment and an upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment is substantially watertight, wherein the upper compartment is configured to be at least partially filled with water when the lowerable segment is lowered from the first position, and wherein the upper compartment is configured to be drained when the lowerable segment is raised to the first position, and wherein, when the lowerable segment is in the first position, the partition plate is arranged substantially at a level in a range including and between the first and second water line of the water craft.

2. The water craft according to claim 1, wherein the partition plate is arranged substantially at a level at the water line at normal load displacement, standard displacement or designed load displacement of the water craft, when the lowerable segment is in the first position.

3. The water craft according to claim 1, wherein, at least in the first position, an outer surface of a side wall of the lowerable segment forms a part of the outer surface of a stem of the hull.

4. The water craft according to claim 1, wherein the position above the water line of the hull to which the lowerable segment substantially extends is at or near a deck of the water craft adjacent to the lowerable segment.

5. The water craft according to claim 1, wherein, at least in the first position, the outer surface of the side wall of the lowerable segment is arranged between a port side part and a starboard side part of the stem of the hull.

6. The water craft according to claim 5, wherein the lowerable segment is arranged substantially midships of the hull.

7. The water craft according to claim 1, wherein the lowerable segment comprises a holding member for a tender, such as a chock, wherein said holding member is arranged on an upper wall of the lowerable segment.

8. The water craft according to claim 1, wherein the upper compartment comprises a pool, wherein said pool is provided with a closing member, such as a cock or valve, wherein, when the closing member is in a closed configuration, the closing member is configured to retain water in the pool, and when the closing member is in an open configuration, the closing member is configured to allow water to flow into or out of the pool.

9. The water craft according to claim 8, wherein said pool is open or accessible at an upper side of the lowerable segment.

10. The water craft according to claim 8, wherein the pool comprises an adjustable pool deck and/or adjustable pool floor.

11. The water craft according to claim 10, wherein the lowerable segment comprises a holding member for a tender, such as a chock, wherein said holding member is arranged on the adjustable pool deck and/or adjustable pool floor.

12. A method for manufacturing a water craft, wherein the method comprises the steps of: manufacturing a hull, wherein the hull comprises an opening which extends from the bottom of the hull up to at least a position above the water line of the hull; manufacturing a segment which fits in said opening in the hull, wherein said segment is configured to be positioned in a first position in which an outer surface of a bottom wall of the segment is flush with a part of the outer surface of a bottom of the hull adjacent to the segment, wherein the segment extends in a substantially vertical direction between the bottom of the hull to the position above a water line of the hull, wherein the segment comprises a substantially horizontal partition plate which divides the segment in a lower compartment and an upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment is substantially watertight, wherein the upper compartment is configured to be at least partially filled with water when the segment is lowered from the first position, and wherein the upper compartment is configured to be drained when the lowerable segment is raised to the first position, and wherein, when the lowerable segment is in the first position, the partition plate is arranged substantially at a level in a range including and between a first water line at lightweight displacement of the water craft and a second water line at full load displacement of the water craft, positioning the segment in the opening of the hull and coupling the segment to the hull via a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lower or raise the segment with respect to the hull between the first position, and a second position in which the segment is arranged below the second water line of the water craft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section in a longitudinal direction of a vessel according to the present invention, with the lowerable segment in the first position;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the stem of the vessel of FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of in the longitudinal direction of the vessel of FIG. 1, with the lowerable segment in a second position;

[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the stem of the vessel of FIG. 2;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-section of in the longitudinal direction of the vessel of FIG. 1, with the lowerable segment back in the first position with a filled pool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] FIG. 1 schematically shows a schematic cross-section in a longitudinal direction of an example of a hull of a water craft 1 according to the present invention. In this particular example, the water craft 1 is a vessel. The cross-section shows the hull from bow 2 to stem 3. FIG. 2 schematically shows a view of the stem 3 of the vessel of FIG. 1 and the line I-I in FIG. 2 indicates the position of the schematic cross-section of FIG. 1.

[0045] The water craft 1 comprises a substantially rectangular opening 4, which is schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The opening 4 reaches from the bottom 5 of the hull up to the deck 6 adjacent to the opening 4. In the opening 4, a lowerable segment 7 is arranged. The position in vertical direction above the water line 11 of the water craft 1 to which the lowerable segment 7 extends, is at or near a deck 6 of the water craft 1 adjacent to the lowerable segment 7.

[0046] The lowerable segment 7 is coupled to the hull via a lifting mechanism 8, as schematically shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the lifting mechanism 8 is configured to lower or raise the lowerable segment 7 with respect to the hull between a first position and a second position.

[0047] FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically show the lowerable segment 7 in the first position in which an outer surface 9 of a bottom wall of the lowerable segment 7 is substantially flush with a part of the outer surface 10 of a bottom 5 of the hull of the water craft 1 adjacent to the lowerable segment 7. The lowerable segment 7 extends in a substantially vertical direction between the bottom 5 of the hull to a position above a water line 11 of the water craft 1. In this first position, an outer surface 16 of a side wall of the lowerable segment 7 forms a part of the outer surface of the stem 3 of the hull. Accordingly, the opening 4 in the hull is at least open to the stem 3 and a tender 30 may move into the opening 4 in the hull of the water craft 1 via the stem 3, at least when the lowerable segment 7 is submerged, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0048] FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically show the lowerable segment 7 in the second position, in which the outer surface 9 of a bottom wall of the lowerable segment 7 is arranged below said part of the outer surface 10 of a bottom 5 of the hull adjacent to the lowerable segment 7, in particular wherein the lowerable segment 7 is arranged below the water line 11 of the water craft 1. In the second position, an upper side 17 of the lowerable segment 7 is positioned at a distance d = 0.6 to 2.5 meters below the water line of the water craft 1. Since most tenders 30 have a draught that is less, these tenders 30 can navigate into the opening 4 to a position above the lowerable segment 7. Subsequently, the lowerable segment 7 can be raised back to the first position together with the tender 30. Accordingly, the tender 30 can be parked and secured in dry condition on top of the lowerable segment 7.

[0049] As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the lowerable segment 7 comprises a substantially horizontal partition plate 12 which divides the lowerable segment 7 in a lower compartment 13 and an upper compartment 14. The lower compartment 13 is substantially watertight and is filled with air. The lower compartment 13 is substantially watertight and both the lower compartment 13 and the partition plate 12 extend over substantially the whole width w′ of the segment 7 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0050] The upper compartment 14 is configured to be at least partially filled with water when the lowerable segment 7 is lowered from the first position and is configured to be drained when the lowerable segment 7 is raised to the first position. Accordingly, the upper compartment 14 comprises a water inlet/outlet 15, which in this example is arranged at the stem 3 of the hull 1.

[0051] According to the present invention, the partition plate 12 is arranged substantially at a level in a range including and between the first and second water line of the water craft, when the lowerable segment 7 is in the first position. As a result, the buoyancy of the lowerable segment 7 in the second position is close to or substantially the same as the buoyancy of the lowerable segment in the first position.

[0052] In the example of FIG. 1, the partition plate 12 is arranged at or close to the second water line, whereas the water craft is not loaded to full load. Accordingly, the partition plate 12 is at a level above the actual water line 11 of the hull 1, at least when the lowerable segment 7 is in the first position. It is noted that when the partition plate 12 would be arranged at or close to the first water line and the water craft would be loaded to normal or full load, the partition plate 12 would be at a level below the actual water line of the hull, at least when the lowerable segment is in the first position.

[0053] Furthermore, in the example and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lowerable segment 7 is arranged between a port side part 18 and a starboard side part 19 of the hull of the water craft 1. preferably, in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the water craft, the opening 4 in the hull is arranged in a center part of the hull, in such a way that the opening 4 is sandwiched between a port side part 18 and a starboard side part 19 of the hull of the water craft 1. In addition, the opening 4 is open to the stem 3 of the hull 1. Accordingly, the tender 30 can navigate into the opening 4 by moving in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the water craft to enter the opening via the stem 3 of the water craft.

[0054] As schematically shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lowerable segment 7 is arranged substantially midships of the hull of the water craft 1, at least in the direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hull. Accordingly, the lowerable segment 7 is substantially arranged on the center line CL of the hull. As a result, also the tender 30 in its parked and secured position on top 17 of the lowerable segment 7 can be arranged substantially on the center line CL so that the balance of the water craft in a substantially transvers direction of the hull 1 does not change when a tender 30 is position on said lowerable segment 7 or not.

[0055] Furthermore, as schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the opening 4 in the hull 1 comprises an elongated opening and the lowerable segment 7 comprises a corresponding elongated lowerable segment. The longitudinal direction of the opening 4 and the lowerable segment 7 is arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal center line of the hull of the water craft 1 and substantially perpendicular to the stem 3 of the hull of the water craft 1. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 3, both the opening 4 and the lowerable segment 7 extend over a significant part of the length of the hull.

[0056] The length 1 of the elongated opening 4 and the length 1′ lowerable segment 7 are larger than the width w of the hull of the water craft 1. Accordingly, the lowerable segment 7 according to the example of the invention shown in the figures allows to park and secure a relatively large tender 30 on said lowerable segment 7. Even a tender 30 that is longer than the width w of the hull of the water craft 1 can be parked and secured on top of the lowerable segment 7 without any part of the tender 30 protruding beyond the hull of the water craft 1.

[0057] In addition, or alternatively, in a further example, the upper compartment 14 of the water craft of the present invention, comprises a pool 20. Said pool 20 is provided with a closing member 21, such as a cock or valve. When the closing member 21 is in a closed configuration, the closing member is configured to retain water in the pool 20. When the closing member 21 is in an open configuration, the closing member is configured to allow water to flow into or out of the pool 20.

[0058] As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the lowerable segment 7 can be submerged and the upper compartment 14, including the pool 20, can be filled with water in which the water craft floats. When the lowerable segment 7 is subsequently moved back in the first position, as shown in FIG. 5, and the closing member 21 is in the closed configuration, the water craft of the invention now comprises a water filled pool 20 ready for use as a swimming and/or relaxing pool. When the pool 20 is no longer needed, the closing member 21 can be opened and the water can flow out of the pool 20, back to the surrounding water in which the water craft is floating. Accordingly, the pool 20 in the upper compartment 14 of the lowerable member 7 can easily be filled on demand by surrounding water and can easily be emptied. Accordingly, this pool 20 can be operated without an elaborate system for continuously filtering of the water in the pool 20.

[0059] Although the pool may be arranged below deck, it is preferred that, as shown in FIG. 5, said pool 20 is open or accessible at an upper side of the lowerable segment 7. Accordingly, the pool 20 is easily accessible from the deck 6 of the water craft.

[0060] Preferably, the pool comprises a pool deck and/or adjustable pool floor 22. Accordingly, the pool 20 can be covered by the pool deck and/or adjustable pool floor 22, for example when not in use. In addition, the adjustable pool floor 22 can be set to a desired depth, as schematically shown in FIG. 5.

[0061] Preferably, the pool deck 22 and/or the closing member 21 is provided with a filter member for filtering the surrounding water before it flows into the pool 22. Such a filter member for example comprises a screen of sieve. In particular, when the filter member is arranged in connection to or in the closing member 21, the filter member is rinsed each time the pool 20 is emptied and any objects on the filter member is washed away with the outflowing water.

[0062] The water craft 1 of the present invention is preferably manufactured by using a method comprises the steps of: [0063] manufacturing a hull, wherein the hull comprises an opening 4 which extends from the bottom 5 of the hull up to at least a position above the water line 11 of the hull 1; [0064] manufacturing a segment 7 which fits in said opening 4 in the hull, wherein said segment 7 is configured to be positioned in a first position (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in which an outer surface 9 of a bottom wall of the segment 7 is flush with a part 10 of the outer surface of a bottom 5 of the hull adjacent to the segment 7, wherein the segment 7 extends in a substantially vertical direction between the bottom 5 of the hull to the position above a water line 11 of the hull 1, wherein the segment comprises a substantially horizontal partition plate 12 which divides the segment 7 in a lower compartment 13 and an upper compartment 14, wherein the lower compartment 13 is substantially watertight and extends over substantially the whole width of the segment 7, wherein the upper compartment 14 is configured to be at least partially filled with water when the segment 7 is lowered from the first position (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and wherein the upper compartment 14 is configured to be drained when the lowerable segment 7 is raised to the first position, and wherein, when the lowerable segment 7 is in the first position, the partition plate 12 is arranged substantially at a level in a range including and between a first water line at lightweight displacement of the water craft 1 and a second water line at full load displacement of the water craft 1; and [0065] positioning the segment 7 in the opening 4 of the hull and coupling the segment 7 to the hull via a lifting mechanism 8, wherein the lifting mechanism 8 is configured to lower or raise the segment 7 with respect to the hull between the first position, and a second position in which the segment 7 is arranged below the second water line 11 of the hull 1.

[0066] Preferably, the partition plate 12 is arranged substantially at a level at or near the actual water line 11 of the hull 1, when the lowerable segment 7 is in the first position, for example by arranging the partition plate 12 substantially at a level at the water line at normal load displacement, standard displacement or designed load displacement of the water craft 1, when the lowerable segment 7 is in the first position.

[0067] In summary, the invention relates to a water craft comprising a hull, with an opening and a lowerable segment arranged in said opening. The lowerable segment is coupled to the hull via a lifting mechanism for lowering or raising the lowerable segment with respect to the hull between [0068] a first position in which an outer surface of a bottom wall of the segment is substantially flush with the outer surface of a bottom of the hull adjacent to the segment, and [0069] a second position wherein the segment is arranged below the water line of the hull.

[0070] The lowerable segment comprises a lower watertight compartment and an upper compartment that can at least partially be filled with water when the segment is lowered and can be drained when the segment is raised. When in the first position, a wall between the lower and upper compartment is arranged at a level at or near the water line.

[0071] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.