TRIMARAN WHICH CAN BE DISASSEMBLED AND CONVERTED INTO A SAILING CATAMARAN OR A MOTORISED SINGLE-HULLED VESSEL

Abstract

 The invention relates to a trimaran which can be disassembled and converted into a sailing catamaran or a motorized single-hulled vessel. The invention consists of a trimaran which is produced by assembling two other vessels, namely: (i) a sailing catamaran comprising lateral surface skids, rudders and centreboards on both surface skids, cross beams, canvas divided into three sailcloths, the central cloth being easy to roll up, and rigging; and (ii) a motorized single-hulled vessel. The inventive craft can be used independently as a motorized single-hulled vessel which is controlled from the cockpit, as a catamaran which is controlled from the lateral surface skids or as a sailing or motorized trimaran. The assembly/disassembly operation can be performed in a few short minutes when the craft is anchored, without said craft having to be dry docked. The inventive system can be combined with another simpler system by means of which the lateral surface skids can be folded in order to facilitate the transport and/or mooring of the craft.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dismantleable trimaran, convertible into a sail catamaran and a motorized monohull, being capable of sailing in any of said ways; i.e., as a sail or motorized trimaran, as a sail catamaran, and as a motorized monohull.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Today, the following types of vessels can be found on the market:

• sailing yachts and motorboats
• small-sized beach-cats for sport sailing
• big-sized sail catamarans for regattas
• motorized catamarans for family sailing
• specially-designed charter catamarans
• trimarans for cruising and regattas
• collapsible trimarans for road transportation as well as jetty mooring.

[0003] In any case, the trimaran market is generally less developed than that of other types of vessels.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to attempt to devise a multipurpose vessel that fulfills the main advantages of the vessels existing up to this moment in time so that it is adaptable to the intended use according to the desires of the user, the weather conditions, the season, and so on, in that it allows differentiated and specific uses at all times.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is a fast-sailing trimaran (under sail or motorized), dismantleable by means of a fast maneuver and convertible into two other vessels: a sail catamaran and a motorized monohull; the three are approvable for independent sailing.

[0006] In order to perform the assembly operation of both parts, a system is provided which will allow performing said operation in a few short minutes with the vessel anchored, without needing to run it aground.

[0007] The trimaran assembly is thus composed by a central hull, which is a motorboat, and side hulls joined by crosspieces, having centerboards and rudders in the demihulls and central rigging.

[0008] For its part, the catamaran will have the following features:

• It will be made up by the side hulls of the trimaran, the crosspieces, the rigging, the centerboards and the rudders.
• It will sail under sail.
• It will be steered from any of the demihulls.

[0009] For its part, the monohull will be capable of independently sailing with a motor, being motor-steered exclusively from the cockpit, and it will be capable of sailing with the ballasts full of water for greater stability.

[0010] The trimaran arises from the assembly of the former two vessels, thus being capable of sailing under sail with the rigging from the catamaran and its steering systems; or otherwise under motor, with the means of the monohull.

[0011] In both cases, steering from the cockpit will be possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In order to better understand all that is disclosed in the present specification, three pages of drawings are attached in which, by way of example, a practical case of the embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0013] Figure 1 shows the trimaran assembly; whereas Figure 2 shows the sail catamaran, and Figure 3 shows the motorized monohull.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0014] A trimaran (Figure 1) with a length of 11 m and a beam of 7.5 m is shown, composed of a habitable central hull and two inhabitable side hulls, steerable under sail and motor.

[0015] By filling up the ballasts with water (A) and opening the attachment system (B), the central hull is freed astern (Figure 3). In the case represented, this central hull is provided with an outboard motor (G), retractable so as to not harm sailing under sail, steerable from the cockpit.

[0016] Once the central hull is freed, the side hulls remain, which constitute the catamaran (Figure 2), steerable under sail from the demihulls, which have rudders (C) and centerboards (D). Both side hulls are joined by means of two crosspieces (E) between which a canvas (F) divided into three pieces is arranged so that the central piece is foldable to allow housing the central hull.

[0017] The essential feature of this vessel as compared to those on the market is its versatility, as it has three different forms of sailing in one vessel: sport sailing as a catamaran, group excursions as a trimaran, and family cruises and sport fishing as a monohull.

Claims

1. Dismantleable trimaran convertible into a sail catamaran with centerboards and rudders in the side demihulls, and a motorized monohull, capable of sailing in any of the mentioned forms, this being compatible with other existing systems of folding the trimaran for its mooring and/or transportation.

2. Dismantleable trimaran convertible into a sail catamaran and a motorized monohull according to claim 1, characterized by a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic approach and anchoring system of the central hull to the side hulls, which allows rapidly performing the operation of assembly/disassembly with the vessel moored and without the aid of outside means for sailing.

3. Dismantleable trimaran convertible into a sail catamaran and a motorized monohull according to the previous claims, characterized by the use of water ballasts to facilitate the coupling/uncoupling and to enhance sailing safety.

Amended claims

Amended claims under Art. 19.1 PCT

1. Dismantleable trimaran convertible into a sail catamaran with centerboards and rudders in the side demihulls, and a motorized monohull, capable of sailing in any of the mentioned forms.

2. Dismantleable trimaran convertible into a sail catamaran and a motorized monohull according to claim 1, characterized by an attachment system for attaching the central hull to the crosspieces (this being compatible with other existing systems of folding the trimaran for its mooring and/or transportation), which allows rapidly performing the operation of assembly/disassembly with the vessel moored and without the aid of ouside means external for sailing.

3. Dismantleable trimaran convertible into a sail catamaran and a motorized monohull according to the previous claims, characterized by the use of water ballasts to facilitate the coupling/uncoupling and to enhance sailing safety.

Drawing