Swim platform for sailboat

Abstract

The object of the invention relates to structures of swim platform for sailboat equipped with one or two rear rudders, and with inboard, outboard engine or with no engine.

Description

[0001] Swim platform for sailboat

[0002] The field of the invention

[0003] The object of the invention relates to a swim platform for sailboat, particularly to swim platform for sailboat equipped with motor, i.e. for motorsailer.

[0004] The background of the invention

[0005] With the spread of water leisure activities, there is an increasing need for the hull to be lengthened. The easiest way to do this is to mount a platform on the transom. The transom is located at the back of the boat (i.e. at the back of the stern) .

[0006] Several swim platforms for boats are known in the state of the art .

[0007] Patent application with publication number US4, 669,414 discloses swim platform with a universal mounting system capable of accommodating most transom configurations with inboard / outboard engine. The boat types targeted in this document are not sailboats with stern rudder (s) , but boat types mostly with free transoms.

[0008] Patent application No. W01988006116A1 presents a bathing platform that can be fixed by secured to the upper transom of a boat and it can be used as a tender or a passenger plank.

[0009] US Design Patent No. USD995397S1 discloses a simple swim platform assembly for boats to which many similar designs are known (for example: USD726634S1, USD547256S1, USD925432S1) .

[0010] One of them is the design patent No. USD1018425S1 which is about a swim up bar for a boat. There is no swim platform for sailboat equipped with rear rudder ( s ) known in the state of the art where the engine and the rudder ( s ) is / are allowed to move freely during their operation . Therefore , the obj ective is set to provide a swim platform for sailboats containing rear rudder ( s ) with which the free movement of the engine and rudder ( s ) is / are not obstructed compared to the known swim platform for boats .

[0011] The obj ective of the present invention applies especially for sailboats with rear rudder ( s ) like motorsailers and not for yachts , motorboats , catamarans etc .

[0012] The above obj ective was achieved with a special swim platform structure that is attached to the transom of the sailboat . The function of the special structure of the swim platform according to the present invention is to allow the engine and the rudder ( s ) to move freely . Furthermore , swim platform according to the present invention provides safe and comfortable boarding and disembarking in the direction of the dock and the open water due to its structure .

[0013] We recognised that i f we cut out the swim platform parts in such a way that the rudder ( s ) and / or the engine can move freely then the signi ficant advantage of the solution according to the present invention compared to the others known in the state of the art is that the swim platform' s structure is safer and more comfortable during sailing .

[0014] The structure of the swim platform according to the present invention are divided into parts and these parts are designed to allow the rudder ( s ) and / or the engine to move freely .

[0015] Most known swim platforms consist of one piece , and they are attached to free transom or stern of a sailboat , therefore their placement interferes with the engine and / or the steering rudder ( s ) . A brief presentation of the figures

[0016] Figure 1 shows a back view of a sailboat with two rear pullable-up type rudders and the transom is equipped with a preferable embodiment of the swim platform .

[0017] Figure 2 shows a back view of a sailboat with two rear pullable-up type rudders and an outboard engine , and the transom is equipped with another preferable embodiment of the swim platform .

[0018] Figure 3 shows a back view of a sailboat with two rear li fting rudders ( one is in the air and the other is in water position) and the transom is equipped with another preferable embodiment of the swim platform .

[0019] Figure 4 shows a back view of a sailboat equipped with two rear li fting rudders and an outboard engine , and the transom is equipped with another preferable embodiment of the swim platform .

[0020] Brief description of the invention

[0021] The obj ect of the present invention relates to a structure of a swim platform of a sailboat equipped with rear one or two rudders (pullable up type ) , and with an inboard engine or no engine , wherein i ) the swim platform is a single piece platform with one or two openings through which the one or two rudders can be pulled up ; ii ) the swim platform is secured to the transom of the sailboat , located above the water and it is parallel with the level of the water ; iii ) the one or two openings are located directly over the one or two rudders ; iv) and the surface of the one or two openings are preferably between 10 - 60% , more preferably between 10 - 52 % and even more preferably between 10 - 45% of the total surface of the swim platform .

[0022] The obj ect of the present invention also relates to a structure of a swim platform of a sailboat equipped with two rear rudders (pullable up type ) and with an outboard engine , wherein the swim platform has the following parts : a right-wing platform, a left-wing platform and optionally a platform above the steering gear is added; and the swim platform parts are placed in such way that i ) the right-wing platform and the left-wing platform are located next to each other, both have an opening on the surface located directly over the two rudders through which the two rudders can be pulled up ; ii ) there is a space between the right-wing platform and the left-wing platform and the outboard engine is located in the said space , optionally in front of the outboard engine there is platform above the steering gear ; iii ) the right-wing platform and the left-wing platform are secured to the transom of the sailboat , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water ; iv) and the surface of the two openings are preferably between 10 - 60% , more preferably between 10 - 52 % and even more preferably between 10 - 45% of the total surface of the swim platform .

[0023] The one or two openings through which the one or two rudders can be pulled up, are equipped with openable cover ( s ) above the one or two rudders . The obj ect of the present invention relates to a structure of a swim platform of a sailboat equipped with one rear rudder li fting type ) , and with an inboard engine or no engine as well , wherein the swim platform has two parts which are the followings : a right-wing platform, a left-wing platform; and the swim platform parts are placed in such way that i ) the swim platform parts are located next to each other ; ii ) there is a space between the right-wing platform and the left-wing platform through which the rudder can be li fted; and iii ) the right-wing platform and the left-wing platform are secured to the transom of the sailboat , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water .

[0024] The space through which the rudder can be li fted, is equipped with openable cover above the rudder .

[0025] The obj ect of the present invention relates to a structure of a swim platform of a sailboat equipped with two rear li fting rudders , and with an inboard engine or no engine as well , where the swim platform contains at least three parts which are the followings : a right external platform, an inner platform, a left external platform; the swim platform parts are placed in such way that i ) the swim platform parts are located next to each other ; ii ) there is a space between the right external platform and the inner platform through which the right rudder can be li fted; iii ) there is a space between the inner platform and the left external platform through which the left rudder can be li fted; and iv) the right external platform, the inner platform and the left external platform are secured to the transom of the sailboat , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water .

[0026] According to a preferable embodiment of the swim platform of a sailboat equipped with two li fting rear rudders , and with an inboard engine or no engine , the si ze of the space between the inner platform and the left external platform and the si ze of the space between the inner platform and the right external platform is the same , and the surface of the two spaces is preferably between 10 - 60 % , more preferably between 10 - 52 % and even more preferably between 10 - 45% of the total surface of the swim platform .

[0027] According to another preferable embodiment of the swim platform of a sailboat equipped with two rear li fting rudders , and with an inboard engine or no engine , the space between the inner platform and the left external platform and the space between the inner platform and the right external platform are equipped with openable covers and an openable cover consists of two separate parts .

[0028] The obj ect of the present invention also relates to a structure of a swim platform of a sailboat equipped with two rear li fting rudders and an outboard engine , where the swim platform contains the following parts : a right external platform, a right inner platform, a left external platform, a left inner platform, optionally a platform above the steering gear ; the swim platform parts are placed in such way that i ) the swim platform parts are located next to each other except the platform above the steering gear ; ii ) there is a space between the right external platform and the right inner platform through which the right rudder can be li fted; iii ) there is a space between the left inner platform and the left external platform through which the left rudder can be li fted; iv) the right external platform, the right and left inner platforms and the left external platform are secured to the transom of the sailboat , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water ; v) in between the right and left inner platforms the outboard engine is placed; and vi ) the optional platform above the steering gear is placed in front of the outboard engine .

[0029] According to a preferable embodiment of the swim platform of the sailboat equipped with two li fting rear rudders and an outboard engine , the space between the left inner platform and the left external platform, the space between the right inner platform and the right external platform and the both sides of the platform above the steering gear are equipped with openable covers .

[0030] According to yet another preferable embodiment of the swim platform of a sailboat equipped with rear one or two rudders and inboard or outboard engine , or with no engine according to the invention, the maximum width of the swim platform with the said spaces in total or the maximum width of the single piece swim platform is the same as the maximum width of the sailboat , i . e . it is between 1 m and 4 m; the length of the parts of the swim platform or length of the single piece swim platform is between 0 . 2 m and 2 m .

[0031] The surface of the swim platform of a sailboat equipped with rear rudders and inboard or outboard engine or with no engine according to the present invention without the said openable covers is at least 0 . 14 m2, and / or up to 7 . 2 m2.

[0032] The swim platform of a sailboat equipped with rear one or two rudders , and with inboard or outboard engine or with no engine optionally contains a ladder, secured to the edge of the said swim platform .

[0033] The obj ect of the present invention also relates to the material of the said swim platform that contains fiber and resin, where the fiber is selected from the following list : fiberglass ; carbon fiber ; aramid fiber, hybrid fiber, prepeg carbon fiber or a combination thereof and the resin is selected from the following list : polyester, vinylester or epoxy .

[0034] According to yet another preferable embodiment of the swim platform of a sailboat , the swim platform is made from stainless steel pipe with wood, plastic paneling or with plastic composite cover .

[0035] Detailed description of the invention

[0036] Within the context of the present speci fication i f a numerical value is given, it should be understood as meaning that the last digit of the given number shows the accuracy of the given value in accordance with the rules of rounding . In other words , for example , 4 . 00 m is understood to mean the range of4 . 95 m to 4 . 04 m .

[0037] In the case of sailboats equipped with rear rudders we di f ferentiate the type with inboard engine or the one equipped with outboard engine from the classic sailboat without an engine however, the present invention relates to all three types of sailboats It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that sailboats work in such way that the direction of the steering is ensured by the rudder (s) submerged in water during sailing. If the sailboat has one rudder, it is located in the middle of the transom but if the sailboat has two rudders then, by definition, there is one on each side of the transom. It is noted that pullable up and lifting type rudder (s) is differentiated and no matter what type they are, they rotate as well if they are in the pulled up or lifted position. The rudder blade (s) do not dip into water for example during transportation, at low water depths, and at high speed when using an outboard motor. When a sailboat turns to the right or left, the rudder (s) also turns in the given direction, therefore enough space for the rudder (s) must be ensured. It is obvious that a simple swim platform secured to the stern or the transom would hinder free movement of the rear rudders. Within the context of the present specification we understand under the term lifting rudder is that the said rudder rotates up and down around its axis. This type of rudder is also called as folding, kick-up, swing or retractable rudder, but in the present specification, term lifting rudder is applied.

[0038] In case of a 100 sailboat equipped with rear 1 rudder (s) and 3a inboard engine (i.e. the engine is at the bottom of the sailboat) or there is no engine (i.e. classic sailboat) the 4 swim platform is configured such way to allow the one 1 or two la, lb rudders to be moved (i.e. rotating and pulling up or lifting) . In order to pulling up one 1 or two la, lb (i.e. the left and the right) rudders, one 5 or two 5a, 5b openings are located directly over the rudder (s) and the size of the opening (s) is suitable for pulling up the rudder (s) , i.e. the 4 swim platform can be manufactured in one piece even if one or two openings are formed on it (see one embodiment on Figure 1) . The shape of the opening (s) for example can be square, rectangle, semicircle, trapezoid, octagon or any other shape that is suitable for pulling the rudder through, both in shape and size. The single piece 4 swim platform according to the present invention is secured to the 2 transom of the 100 sailboat ( and located above the water and it is parallel with the level of the water . Under the term "parallel with the level of the water" is understood to mean the swim platform or the swim platform parts are located above the water, i . e . they do not submerge in water . The surface of the one 5 or two 5a, 5b openings are preferably between 10 - 60% , more preferably between 10 - 52 % and even more preferably between 10 - 45% of the total surface of the 4 swim platform in case of 100 sailboat equipped with rear la, lb rudders and 3a inboard engine ( 3a inboard engine is not shown on Figure 1 ) or also in case i f the 100 sailboat has no engine . The total surface of the swim platform is understood to mean the surface of a single piece swim platform without any openings , it is between 0 . 2 - 8 m2which value depends a lot on the si ze of the sailboat .

[0039] It is obvious for a person skilled in the art it might occur that the 100 sailboat has two rear la, lb rudders an 3b outboard engine at the back of 100 sailboat . In this particular case , the 4 swim platform is divided into following parts because of the 3b outboard engine : 8a right-wing platform, 8b left-wing platform, they are secured to the 2 transom of the 100 sailboat , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water ( see Figure 2 ) .

[0040] Optionally 12 platform above the steering gear is placed in front of the 3b outboard engine . The swim platform parts ( i . e . 8a right-wing platform, 8b left-wing platform) are placed in such way that the 8a right-wing platform and the 8b left-wing platform are located next to each other . Both swim platform parts have an opening ( 5a or 5b ) directly over the two la, lb rudders through which the two la, lb rudders can be pulled up . The surface of the two 5a, 5b openings are preferably between

[0041] 10 60% , more preferably between 10 - 52 % and even more preferably between 10 - 45% of the total surface of the 4 swim platform .

[0042] To cover the one 5 or two 5a, 5b openings through which the left la and right lb rudders can be pulled up, 6a, 6b openable covers are used . Due to the 6a, 6b openable covers , the single piece 4 swim platform with the closed position covers form a plane , a continuous platform while the rudders submerge into the water . The one 6 or two 6a, 6b openable covers in closed position enable safe traf fic at the back of the 7 hull .

[0043] As it mentioned above , beside the pullable up type rudder, we di f ferentiate the li fting type , i . e . a sailboat can be equipped with rear li fting rudders and inboard engine or with no engine . Due to the li fting rudders , the swim platform is divided into parts .

[0044] The present invention also relates to a structure of the 4 swim platform of 100 sailboat equipped with one rear 1 rudder, and 3a inboard engine or with no engine , in this case the 4 swim platform has two parts that are the 8a left-wing platform and the 8b right-wing platform . These two swim platform parts are placed next to each other and there is 9 space between the 8b right-wing platform and the 8a left-wing platform through which the 1 rudder can be li fted . The 8b right-wing platform and the 8a left-wing platform are secured to the 2 transom of the 100 sailboat , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water .

[0045] To cover the 5 opening through which the 1 rudder can be li fted, 6 openable cover is used . Due to the 6 openable cover, the 4 swim platform with the closed position cover forms a plane while the rudder submerge into the water . As described above the 6 openable cover in closed position also enables safe traf fic at the back of the 7 hull . As it may be seen in Figure 3 , one embodiment of the 4 swim platform contains at least three parts which are the followings : 10a left external platform, 10b right external platform and 10c inner platform . These parts are placed next to each other and there are two 9a, 9b spaces between the parts , 9b is between the 10b right external platform and the 10c inner platform and the other ( 9a ) is between the 10c inner platform and the 10a left external platform . As it mentioned above , the li fting rudders need enough space to li ft the rudders , that is why we split the platform into parts . The spaces between the parts allow the rudders to move , rotate or li ft freely . Additionally, the 10b right external platform, the 10c inner platform and the 10a left external platform are secured to the 2 transom of the 100 sailboat , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water . The swim platform structure detailed above is therefore suitable for sailboats equipped with rear li fting rudders , and inboard engine or with no engine .

[0046] According to a preferable embodiment of the 4 swim platform of 100 sailboat equipped with two rear la, lb li fting rudders , and 3a inboard engine or with no engine , the si ze of the 9a space between the 10c inner platform and the 10a left external platform, and the si ze of the 9b space between the 10c inner platform and the 10b right external platform is the same , and the surface of the two 9a, 9b spaces is preferably between 10 - 60 % , more preferably between 10 - 52 % and even more preferably between 10 - 45% of the total surface of the 4 swim platform . The surface of the space is equal to the surface di f ference between the single piece swim platform and the swim platform parts , in this case we subtract from the surface of the single piece swim platform (we strictly mean the imaginary swim platform without any openings , cutouts ) the surface amount of the right external platform, the inner platform and the left external platform . According to another preferable embodiment of the 4 swim platform of the 100 sailboat equipped with two rear la, lb lifting rudders, and with 3a inboard engine or no engine, the 9a space between the 10c inner platform and the 10a left external platform, and the 9b space between the 10c inner platform and the 10b right external platform are equipped with 11 openable covers and the cover consists of two separate parts. As it may be seen in Figure 3, Ila openable covers for covering the la, lb rudders are perpendicular to the direction of the vertical axis in closed position (i.e. directly over the la, lb rudders, close to the 2 transom of the 100 sailboat) . The shape of the 11 openable covers fit in the 5 openings that can be square, rectangle, semicircle, trapezoid, octagon or any other shape that is suitable for lifting and also lowering the rudder, both in shape and size. As it also maybe seen in Figure 3, the other part of the cover is the 11b rectangular shape openable cover which, in open position, allow the longitudinal edge of the la and / or lb rudders to lift and lower. In summary, 11 openable cover consists of Ila cover and 11b cover, right and left Ila covers are the same both in shape and size, right and left 11b covers are the same both in shape and size. It is obvious that if the two la, lb rudders submerge into the water, we can close all 11 openable covers and, in this case, the 4 swim platform according to the present invention seems a single piece platform that is why it provides safe and comfortable boarding and disembarking in the direction of the dock and the open water.

[0047] During the operation mode of the outboard engine, the engine and the streering gear are connected; in that case these two are separated, the engine is lifted. An important difference between the lifted outboard engine (i.e. it is out of service during sailing or transport) and the lifted rudders that although they are not immersed in water, if the steering wheel is moved, the rudders do not stop moving . We note that the rudder ( s ) is not separated from the steering gear because of their standby mode , furthermore the rudder ( s ) is easily bypassed due to structure of the swim platform . Li fted mode of the rudder ( s ) occurs when exceeding a speed of 5- 6 knots when using the engine , during transportation, running ashore or in any situation when the captain decides to do so . The 4 swim platform structure detailed above is suitable for 100 sailboats equipped with rear li fting rudder and outboard engine . We would like to emphasi ze that the present invention does not apply to motorboats without rudders .

[0048] The obj ect of the present invention relates to a structure of a 4 swim platform of a 100 sailboat equipped with two rear li fting la, lb rudders and 3b outboard engine , in this case the swim platform contains the following parts : 10b right external platform, 13a right inner platform, 10a left external platform, 13b left inner platform and optionally 12 platform above the steering gear . It is obvious in the light of the Figure 4 , because of the location of the 3b outboard engine at the back of the 7 hull , it was necessary to divide the 10c inner platform into two parts : 13a right inner platform and 13b left inner platform . On sailboats where the steering elements , such as the steering gear connecting elements , are mounted outside the hull , creating a kind of "obstacle course" in terms of traf fic at the back of the sailboat . The unimpeded movement of the steering elements is key and this is provided by the platform above the steering gear . The swim platform parts ( 10b right external platform, 13a right inner platform, 10a left external platform and 13b left inner platform) are placed in such way that they are located next to each other . There is a 9b space between the 10b right external platform and the 13a right inner platform through which the right lb rudder can be li fted and lowered . There is a 9a space between the 13b left inner platform and the 10a left external platform as well , its function is the same indicated previously . The

[0049] 9a, 9b spaces between the swim platform parts allow the la, lb rudders to move , rotate or li ft freely . As it may be seen in Figure 4 the 10b right external platform, the 13a right inner platform, the 13b left inner platform and the 10a left external platform are secured to the 2 transom of the 100 sailboat , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water . In between the 13a right and 13b left inner platforms the 3b outboard engine is placed . In front of the 3b outboard engine , the steering elements can be found that are optionally covered by the 12 platform above the steering gear . The 12 platform above the steering gear is openable which is beneficial for servicing and for separation and connection of the streering gear and the 3b ourboard engine . As we mentioned above , levelling element is applied to avoid level inequality caused by the steering gear .

[0050] During the operation mode of the outboard engine , the engine and the streering gear are connected, in that case these two are separated, the engine is li fted . An important di f ference between the li fted outboard engine ( i . e . it is out of service during sailing or transport ) and the li fted rudders that although they are not immersed in water, i f the steering wheel is moved, the rudders do not stop moving . We noted that the rudders are not separated from the steering gear because of their standby mode , furthermore they are easily bypassed due to structure of the swim platform . Li fting mode of the rudders occurs when exceeding a speed of 5- 6 knots when using the engine , during transportation, running ashore or in any situation when the captain decides to do so .

[0051] The swim platform structure detailed above is suitable for sailboats equipped with two rear li fting rudders and outboard engine .

[0052] According to another preferable embodiment of the 4 swim platform of 100 sailboat equipped with two li fting rear la, lb rudders and 3b outboard engine , the 9a space between the 13b left inner platform and the 10a left external platform, the 9b space between the 10b right inner platform and the 13a right external platform and both sides of the 12 platform above the steering gear are equipped with openable covers ( 14 ) . The spaces between the inner platforms and the related external platforms are equipped with 11 openable covers and the cover consists of two separate parts ( I la, 11b ; see the detailed explanation above ) . We have mentioned before , both sides of the 12 platform above the steering gear are equipped with 14 openable covers that these serve to provide as much walking surface as possible .

[0053] According to another preferable embodiment of the 4 swim platform of 100 sailboat equipped with 1 or la, lb rear rudders , and 3a inboard or 3b outboard engine or with no engine according to the present invention, the maximum width of the parts of the 4 swim platform with the said one 9 or with two 9a, 9b spaces in total or the maximum width of the single piece 4 swim platform ( for example with 5 opening or with 5a, 5b openings , but without 9 space ) is the same as the maximum width of the 100 sailboat . The average width of 100 motosailers is between 1 m and 4 m . For example 15-meter-long sailboats are 6-7 meters wide , but there are also smaller sailboats that are only 1 meter wide . The length of the parts of the 4 swim platform or the length of the single piece 4 swim platform is between 0 . 2 m and 2 m .

[0054] The surface of the 4 swim platform of 100 sailboat equipped with rear one 1 or two la, lb rudders , and 3a inboard or 3b outboard engine or with no engine according to the present invention, without openable covers ( 6 , 11 , 14 ) is at least 0 . 14 m2, and / or up to 7 . 2 m2. The 4 swim platform of 100 sailboat equipped with one 1 or two rear la, lb rudders , and with 3a inboard or 3b outboard engine or with no engine , optionally contains 15 ladder, secured to the edge of the 4 swim platform . Due to the 4 swim platform' s design, there is a place for storing the bathing ladder in foldable position in case it is not secured to the edge of the 4 swim platform . The role of the 15 ladder is to make leaving the 100 sailboat and returning on it even safer .

[0055] The 4 swim platform may be made from the following materials : fiberglass ; carbon fiber ; aramid fiber, hybrid fiber, prepeg carbon fiber or a combination thereof and resin . It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that when we talk about fibers , we are talking about the summary name that serves as the raw material of the fabric and aims to identi fy the raw material . In practice , the fibers or fabrics woven from other fibers are layered on top of each other and impregnated with resin . In this case , the resin is therefore not only a coating, but also a binder that surrounds the fibers and the fibers in it strengthen the resin itsel f . No chemical reaction occurs between the resin and the fibers in the composite . The resin can be polyester, vinylester or epoxy . According to another preferred embodiment , a core layer placed in the middle of the sandwich structured composite fabric, which is made of a di f ferent material , e . g . : PET . Due to the core layer, the composite has more strength and it also serves as a spacer between the layers of the composite fabric .

[0056] The raw material of the 4 swim platform can be prepared by fiber spray machine , manual lamination, vacuuminfusion or by prepeg autoclave technology . Moreover, the 4 swim platform can be made from stainless steel pipe covering by wood, plastic paneling or with plastic composite cover .

[0057] The product can be manufactured by serial production . The invention is disclosed in the following in connection with an example.

[0058] Example 1: swim platform embodiment in case of MacGregor 26X motorsailer

[0059] The parameters of MacGregor 26X motorsailer: Length overall: 7.87 m Length at the waterline: 7.01 m Beam: 2.38 m Engine type: outboard Number of the rudders: 2 Type of the rudders: lifting

[0060] The parameters of the swim platform: swim platform parts: right external platform, right inner platform, left external platform, left inner platform, platform above the steering gear length of the swim platform: 0.55 m maximum width of the swim platform: 2.38 m surface of the two spaces: 33 % material of the said swim platform: carbon fiber and epoxy resin accessories: ladder, openable covers above the spaces between the inner and external swim platforms that are next to each other, located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water.

[0061] A significant advantage of the solution according to the invention compared to the solutions according to the state of the art is that the rudder (s) and / or the engine can move freely due to the structure of the 4 swim platform.

[0062] Moreover, the 4 swim platform' s structure according to the invention is safer and more comfortable during sailing, boarding or disembarking in the direction of the dock and the open water. List of reference numbers :

[0063] 1 - rudder ; i f there are two rudders , the left is la and the right is lb

[0064] 2 - transom

[0065] 3a - inboard engine

[0066] 3b- outboard engine

[0067] 4 - swim platform

[0068] 5 - opening; i f there are two rudders , the left opening is 5a and the right is 5b

[0069] 6 - openable cover ; i f there are two rudders , the left openable cover is 6a and the right is 6b

[0070] 7 - hull

[0071] 8a - left-wing platform

[0072] 8b - right-wing platform

[0073] 9 - space , i f there are two li fting rudders , the left space is 9a and the right space 9b

[0074] 10a - left external platform

[0075] 10b - right external platform

[0076] 10c - inner platform

[0077] 11 - openable cover that contains two parts ( I la and 11b )

[0078] 12 - platform above the steering gear

[0079] 13a - right inner platform

[0080] 13b - left inner platform

[0081] 14 - openable cover on the side of the platform above the steering gear

[0082] 15 - ladder

[0083] 100 - sailboat

Claims

Claims1. Swim platform (4) for a sailboat (100) equipped with one(1) or two rear rudders (la, lb) , and with an inboard engine (3a) or with no engine, characterised by that i) the swim platform (4) is a single piece platform with one (5) or two openings (5a, 5b) through which the one (1) or two rudders (la, lb) can be pulled up; ii) the swim platform (4) is secured to the transom (2) of the sailboat (100) , located above the water and it is parallel with the level of the water; iii) the one (5) or two openings (5a, 5b) are located directly over the one (1) or two rudders (la, lb) ; iv) and the surface of the one (5) or two openings (5a, 5b) are preferably between 10 - 60%, more preferably between 10 - 52% and even more preferably between 10 - 45% of the total surface of the swim platform (4) .

2. Swim platform (4) for a sailboat (100) equipped with two rear rudders (la, lb) , and with an outboard engine (3b) , characterised by that the swim platform has the following parts: a right-wing platform (8a) , a left-wing platform (8b) and optionally a platform above the steering gear (12) ; and the swim platform parts are placed in such way that i) the right-wing platform (8a) and the left-wing platform (8b) are located next to each other, both have an opening (5a, 5b) located directly over the two rudders (la, lb) through which the two rudders (la, lb) can be pulled up; ii) there is a space (9) between the right-wing platform (8a) and the left-wing platform (8b) and the outboard engine (3b) is located in the said space (9) , optionally in front of the outboard engine (3b) there is platform above the steering gear (12) ;iii) the right-wing platform (8a) and the left-wing platform (8b) are secured to the transom (2) of the sailboat (100) , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water; iv) and the surface of the two openings (5a, 5b) are preferably between 10 - 60%, more preferably between 10 - 52% and even more preferably between 10 - 45% of the total surface of the swim platform (4) .

3. Swim platform (4) for the sailboat (100) according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the one (5) or two openings (5a, 5b) through which the one (1) or two rudders (la, lb) can be pulled up, are equipped with one (6) or two openable covers (6a, 6b) above the one (1) or two rudders (la, lb) .

4. Swim platform (4) for a sailboat (100) equipped with one rear rudder (1) , and with an inboard engine (3a) or no engine, characterised by that the swim platform (4) has two parts which are the followings: a right-wing platform (8b) , a left-wing platform (8a) ; and the swim platform parts are placed in such way that i) the swim platform parts are located next to each other; ii) there is a space (9) between the right-wing platform (8b) and the left-wing platform (8a) through which the rudder (1) can be lifted; and iii) the right-wing platform (8b) and the left-wing platform (8a) are secured to the transom (2) of the sailboat (100) , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water.

5. Swim platform (4) for the sailboat (100) according to claim 4, wherein the space (9) through which the rudder (1) can be lifted, is equipped with openable cover (6) above the rudder ( 1 ) .

6. Swim platform (4) for a sailboat (100) equipped with two rear lifting rudders (la, lb) , and with an inboard engine (3a) or no engine, characterised by that the swim platform (4) contains at least three parts which are the followings: a right external platform (10b) , an inner platform (10c) , a left external platform (10a) ; the swim platform parts are placed in such way that i) the swim platform parts are located next to each other; ii) there is a space (9b) between the right external (10b) platform and the inner platform (10c) through which the right rudder (lb) can be lifted; iii) there is a space (9a) between the inner platform (10c) and the left external platform ( 10a) through which the left rudder (la) can be lifted; and iv) the right external platform (10b) , the inner platform (10c) and the left external platform (10a) are secured to the transom (2) of the sailboat (100) , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water .

7. Swim platform (4) for the sailboat (100) according to claim 6, wherein the size of the space (9a) between the inner platform (10c) and the left external platform (10a) , and the size of the space (9b) between the inner platform (10c) and the right external platform (10b) is the same, and the surface of the two spaces (9a, 9b) is preferably between 10 - 60 %, more preferably between 10 - 52% and even more preferably between 10 - 45 of the total surface of the swim platform (4) .

8. Swim platform (4) for the sailboat (100) according to any one of the claim 6 to 7, wherein the space (9a) between the inner platform (10c) and the left external platform (10a) and the space (9b) between the inner platform (10c) and the right external platform (10a) are equipped with openable covers (11)and an openable cover (11) consists of two separate parts(Ila, 11b) .

9. Swim platform (4) for a sailboat (100) equipped with two rear lifting rudders (la, lb) and an outboard engine (3b) , characterised by that the swim platform (4) contains the following parts: a right external platform (10b) , a right inner platform (13a) , a left external platform (10a) , a left inner platform (13b) , and optionally a platform above the steering gear (12) ; the swim platform parts are placed in such way that i) the swim platform parts are located next to each other except the platform above the steering gear (12) ; ii) there is a space (9b) between the right external platform (10b) and the right inner platform (13a) through which the right rudder (lb) can be lifted; iii) there is a space (9a) between the left inner platform (13b) and the left external platform (10a) through which the left rudder (la) can be lifted; iv) the right external platform (10b) , the right (13a) and left inner platforms (13b) and the left external platform (10a) are secured to the transom (2) of the sailboat (100) , located above the water and they are parallel with the level of the water; v) in between the right (13a) and left inner platforms (13b) the outboard engine (3b) is placed; and vi) the optional platform above the steering gear (12) is placed in front of the outboard engine (3b) .

10. Swim platform (4) for the sailboat (100) according to claim 9, wherein the space (9a) between the left inner platform (13b) and the left external platform ( 10a) , the space (9b) between the right inner platform (13a) and the right external platform (10b) and the both sides of the platformabove the steering gear (12) are equipped with openable covers(11, 14) .

11. Swim platform (4) for the sailboat (100) according to any one of claim 1-10, wherein the maximum width of the swim platform (4) with the said spaces (9 or 9a, 9b) in total or the maximum with of the single piece swim platform (4) is the same as the maximum width of the sailboat (100) , it is between 1 m and 4 m; the length of the parts of the swim platform (4) or length of the single piece swim platform (4) is between 0.2 m and 2 m.

12. Swim platform (4) for sailboat (100) according to any one of claims 3, 5, 8 and 10, wherein the surface of the swim platform (4) without the said openable covers (11, 14) is at least 0.14 m2, and / or up to 7.2 m2.

13. Swim platform (4) for sailboat (100) according to any one of claim 1-12, wherein the swim platform (4) contains a ladder (15) , secured to the edge of the said swim platform (4) .

14. Swim platform (4) for sailboat (100) according to any one of claim 1-13, wherein the material of the said swim platform (4) contains fiber and resin, the fiber is selected from the following list: fiberglass; carbon fiber; aramid fiber, hybrid fiber, prepeg carbon fiber or a combination thereof and the resin is selected from the following list: polyester, vinylester and epoxy.

15. Swim platform (4) for sailboat (100) according to any one of claim 1-13, wherein the said swim platform (4) is made from stainless steel pipe with wood, plastic paneling or with plastic composite sheet cover.

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