Retractable thruster
The retractable bow thruster and trolling motor is a system designed for permanent installation into a boat hull. When not in use, the thruster retracts fully into the boat hull, with a plate or cowling sealing against a recess within the boat hull. This seal prevents water intrusion and avoids physical damage to the bow thruster from waterborne debris or shallow water conditions. When needed, the thruster extends outward from the bottom of the boat hull and is rotatable to provide thrust in any direction. In combination with an optional electronic control systems, the bow thruster will increase the maneuverability of the boat for docking or undocking, as well as maintaining position in the water.
1 . A retractable trolling motor system for a boat, comprising:
a. a recess within a hull of the boat, the hull having a forward end and an aft end;
a1. a primary water-diverting protrusion affixed on the hull of the boat at the recess closest to the forward end of the hull;
b. a trolling motor assembly having a trolling motor and propeller and configured to fit within the recess when not in use and to extend outwardly from the recess when in use; and
c. a cowling attached to a bottom portion of the trolling motor assembly, wherein the cowling is shaped to seal against the recess when the trolling motor assembly is in a retracted position, the cowling having a secondary water-diverting protrusion on an edge that is positioned closest to the aft end of the hull.
2 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 1 , wherein the trolling motor assembly is configured to rotate about a vertical axis to control a direction of thrust from the propeller when the trolling motor turns the propeller.
3 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 2 , wherein the trolling motor assembly has a steering motor that is configured to rotate the trolling motor assemble about the vertical axis under electrical control.
4 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 1 , wherein the trolling motor assembly is configured to extend and retract along a vertical axis.
5 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 1 , further comprising a means for connecting a device selected from a group consisting of a camera and a sensor to the trolling motor assembly.
6 . A retractable trolling motor system for a boat, comprising:
a. a recess within a hull of the boat, the hull having a forward end and an aft end;
a1. a primary water-diverting protrusion affixed on the hull of the boat at the recess closest to the forward end of the hull;
b. a trolling assembly affixed to a shaft and having a propeller and configured to fit within the recess when not in use and to extend outwardly from the recess when in use; and
c. a cowling attached to an outside portion of the trolling assembly, wherein the cowling is shaped to seal against the recess when the trolling assembly is in a retracted position.
7 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 6 , wherein a drive motor is rotatably interfaced to a first end of a second shaft, the second shaft housed within the shaft and the propeller is rotatably interfaced to a second end of the second shaft.
8 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 7 , wherein the trolling assembly is configured to rotate about a vertical axis to control a direction of thrust from the propeller when the drive motor turns the propeller.
9 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 8 , wherein the trolling assembly has a steering motor that is configured to rotate the trolling assembly about the vertical axis under electrical control.
10 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 8 , wherein the trolling assembly is configured to extend and retract along the vertical axis.
11 . A method of installing a retractable trolling motor to a boat, the method comprising:
a. cutting or forming an orifice in a surface of a hull of the boat; the hull having a forward end and an aft end;
a1. Affixing a primary water-diverting protrusion on the hull of the boat at an edge of the orifice that is closest to the forward end of the hull;
b. forming a cowling that is shaped to seal the orifice, the cowling having a secondary water-diverting protrusion on an aft edge that is positioned closest to the aft end of the hull;
c. providing a trolling motor and a propeller that are affixed to an end of a shaft, the trolling motor and the propeller configured to fit within the orifice when not in use and to extend outwardly from the orifice when in use, the cowling affixed to the trolling motor; and
d. rotatably affixing the shaft to the boat such that to the cowling, the trolling motor, and the propeller rotate when rotating the shaft.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising moving the trolling motor and the propeller between an extended position and a retracted position comprise moving the shaft along an axis of the shaft.
13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising moving of the trolling motor and the propeller between an extended position and a retracted position is performed by a manual action.
14 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising moving of the trolling motor and the propeller between an extended position and a retracted position is performed by an actuator.
15 . The retractable trolling motor system of claim 6 , wherein the cowling has a secondary water-diverting protrusion on an edge that is positioned closest to the aft end of the hull.