Wake-modifying device for a boat
A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. Each wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member. Each wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis that is horizontal or inclined no more than about 35° from horizontal. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.
1. A method of operating a recreational sport boat that includes (i) a hull having a bottom, starboard and port sides, and a transom, and (ii) a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom, one of the wake-modifying devices being positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices being positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline, each wake-modifying device having a plate-like member, at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member, and a pivot axis, the method comprising:
moving the boat through a body of water;
deploying one of the wake-modifying devices by pivoting it about the pivot axis from a non-deployed position to a deployed position, the wake-modifying device being deployed such that the at least one downturned surface of the deployed wake-modifying device interacts with water flowing under the hull to modify the wake on a surf side of the boat, the surf side of the boat being the side of the boat opposite the deployed wake-modifying device; and
pushing a surfer forward with the wake on the surf side of the boat.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein deploying the wake-modifying device rolls the boat toward the side of the boat opposite the deployed wake-modifying device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein deploying the wake-modifying device creates a trough in the water behind the deployed wake-modifying device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the boat is moved through the water at a speed of 9 mph to 12 mph.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising changing an area of the wake on the surf side of the boat that is desirable for surfing by varying a deployment angle of the deployed wake-modifying device.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding water to one or more ballast tanks or ballast bags located onboard the boat.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding water to at least one ballast tank or ballast bag located on the surf side of the boat.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling at least one of (i) the wake-modifying devices, (ii) ballast, and (iii) boat speed using user-defined programmed settings.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling at least one of (i) the wake-modifying devices, (ii) ballast, and (iii) boat speed using preprogrammed settings established by a manufacturer of the boat.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein when deployed the downturned surface lies in a plane intersecting the pivot axis.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein when deployed the downturned surface extends from a forward portion of the plate-like member to the trailing portion of the plate-like member.
12. A method of operating a recreational sport boat that includes (i) a hull having a bottom, starboard and port sides, and a transom, and (ii) a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom, one of the wake-modifying devices being positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices being positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline, each wake-modifying device having a plate-like member, at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member, and a pivot axis, the method comprising:
moving the boat through a body of water at a speed of 9 mph to 12 mph;
deploying one of the wake-modifying devices by pivoting it about the pivot axis from a non-deployed position to a deployed position to interact with water flowing under the hull and to create a surfable wake on a side of the boat opposite the deployed wake-modifying device; and
pushing a surfer forward with the surfable wake.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein deploying one of the wake-modifying devices (i) rolls the boat toward the side of the boat opposite the deployed wake-modifying device and (ii) creates a trough in the water behind the deployed wake-modifying device.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein when deployed the downturned surface lies in a plane intersecting the pivot axis.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein when deployed the downturned surface extends from a forward portion of the plate-like member to the trailing portion of the plate-like member.
16. A method of operating a recreational sport boat that includes (i) a hull having a bottom, starboard and port sides, and a transom, and (ii) a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom, one of the wake-modifying devices being positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices being positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline, each wake-modifying device having a plate-like member and a pivot axis, the method comprising:
moving the boat through a body of water at a speed of 9 mph to 12 mph;
deploying one of the wake-modifying devices by pivoting it about the pivot axis from a non-deployed position to a deployed position to interact with water flowing under the hull and to create a surfable wake on a side of the boat opposite the deployed wake-modifying device, wherein, in the deployed position, the deployed wake-modifying device is deployed to have at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member positioned to interact with water flowing under the hull; and
pushing a surfer forward with the surfable wake.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein deploying one of the wake-modifying devices (i) rolls the boat toward the side of the boat opposite the deployed wake-modifying device and (ii) creates a trough in the water behind the deployed wake-modifying device.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein when deployed the downturned surface lies in a plane intersecting the pivot axis.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein when deployed the downturned surface extends from a forward portion of the plate-like member to the trailing portion of the plate-like member.
20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising controlling at least one of (i) the wake-modifying devices, (ii) ballast, and (iii) boat speed using preprogrammed settings established by a manufacturer of the boat.