System for Housing a Boat

Abstract

A system and method for housing a boat. The system has an outer or host hull having a bow, a stern and an interior adapted to accommodate a hull of a boat. At the stern of the host hull is a door that can be opened or closed. In a closed position the interior of the host hull becomes water tight. A plurality of bumpers are attached to the host hull. A pump is in host hull to pump water out of the host hull when the door is closed. A portion of the outer hull adjacent the stern may be deeper than a portion of the outer hull adjacent the bow.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 040,086, entitled “System for Housing a Boat” and filed on Aug. 21, 2014 by inventor, Michael Mulhern.[0002]The above cross-referenced related application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0003]None.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates principally to the field of boating, including recreational, commercial, and government / military, but can also be deployed in other fields where an object floats on bodies of water (this document will hereafter use the term “boat” to refer to any vessel or floating object that would benefit from the invention such as jet skis, wave runners, paddle boards, etc.).[0006]2. Brief Description of the Related Art[0007]Among the principal challenges facing boat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a way to keep a boat clean and free from contact with fouling water. It works by driving the boat into an enclosure, which is opened and flooded to allow the boat to enter. The water is then pumped out of the enclosure, soaked bottom-fouling water. This not only prevents damage to the boat but also makes it easier to dock and reduces the need for cleaning and painting. The invention is ideal for recreational boats that get less use and can easily get foul. It is a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing solution.

Problems solved by technology

Among the principal challenges facing boaters is the destructive effects of marine life on boats and boat components when they are in their natural environment, water, whether salt, brackish, or fresh.

Significant effort and costs are required to keeping boats clean, especially boat bottoms free of what is referred to in the industry as “foul”, the plant and algae slime and, in the case of boats that operate in salt or brackish water, marine organisms such as barnacles.

Boat lists are very effective, but can be very expensive, often requiring special permits from local governing bodies, and are often unattractive, limiting and impeding often otherwise beautiful water views.

Many boat owners trailer their boats for economic reasons as well as boat slip rentals are beyond the means of many boaters.

Effectively, however, trailering is limited to boats under 27 feet in length.

Because of size limitations, physical requirements, and the time required, many boats of all sizes stay in the water and are not trailered each tie they are to be used.

. . often a lengthy and expensive process).

The boat lift also reduces the ascetics of the waterfront property and usefulness of the boat while docked.

This is not possible, or at least very awkward with the boat on a lift.

On rare occasion, marinas allow boat lifts, but the investment is significant and this option largely limited to condominium marinas (where the slip is owned by the boat owner) or where marinas make the investment and charge a premium for the slip / lift.

Further, boat owners often entertain with the boat at the slip, which is not an option with the boat on a lift.

As a result, foul buildup is often significant.

Regardless the owners of bottom-painted boats must periodically (usually annually) remove the boat from the water have it washed / scraped, which is a very involved and, often, expensive process and increasingly a process that has come under environmental scrutiny and tighter regulation.

Tin was once used as the standard biocide but it has been banned because it leaves sediment that is harmful to the environment.

However, copper is expensive—retail price $200-$300 per gallon—plus it too has been found to cause damage to ecosystems.

As a result, many expect copper-based paints to have a limited time on the market.

Because of the elements contained in bottom paint, it is generally classified as hazardous; it is widely restricted in its application and removal.

It is highly likely that environmental requirements and restrictions will expand in the future, making the bottom-painting process increasingly expensive, time-consuming, and with reduced availability of qualified vendors.

Boat bottom paint and painting is already an expensive (usually annual) requirement for boat owners.

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