Granted Patent B2

US 12,312,043 · App. 18/671,234 · Granted May 27, 2025

Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy (Greenback, TN); Matthew J. Huyge (Wyoming, MI); Michael D. Myers (Knoxville, TN); Zane E. Schwenk (Winter Haven, FL)

Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC

B63B1/20B63B1/22B63B1/26B63B34/75B63B39/061B63B34/70

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. A recreational sport boat comprising:

a hull including 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 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 being 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, each wake-modifying device including:

a plate-like member;

a first downturned surface at an outboard portion of the plate-like member; and

a second downturned surface at an inboard portion of the plate-like member;

wherein in the deployed position, a trailing portion of the plate-like member is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.

2. The recreational sport boat of claim 1 , wherein the first downturned surface of each wake-modifying device is at an outboard edge of the plate-like member.

3. The recreational sport boat of claim 1 , wherein the second downturned surface of each wake-modifying device is at an inboard edge of the plate-like member.

4. The recreational sport boat of claim 1 , wherein an angle between at least one of the first downturned surface or the second downturned surface of each wake-modifying device and a lower surface of a central portion of the plate-like member is between about 30° to about 150°.

5. The recreational sport boat of claim 1 , wherein an angle between at least one of the first downturned surface or the second downturned surface of each wake-modifying device and a lower surface of a central portion of the plate-like member is between about 120° to about 135°.

6. The recreational sport boat of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first downturned surface or the second downturned surface of each wake-modifying device lies in a plane that is oriented at an angle that intersects to the pivot axis.

7. The recreational sport boat of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first downturned surface or the second downturned surface of each wake-modifying device is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the pivot axis.

8. The recreational sport boat of claim 1 , wherein each wake-modifying device further includes a third downturned surface located within a trailing portion of the plate-like member.

9. The recreational sport boat of claim 8 , wherein the third downturned surface of each wake-modifying device is located entirely within a trailing portion of the plate-like member.

10. The recreational sport boat of claim 9 , wherein the third downturned surface of each wake-modifying device is at a trailing edge of the plate-like member.

11. The recreational sport boat of claim 1 , wherein each wake-modifying device further includes at least one fin attached to a lower surface of the plate-like member.

12. The recreational sport boat of claim 11 , wherein the fin is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the pivot axis and extends in a direction aft and outboard from the pivot axis.

13. The recreational sport boat of claim 12 , wherein the fin is at an angle between about 30° and about 60° relative to the pivot axis.

14. A recreational sport boat comprising:

a hull including 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 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 being 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, each wake-modifying device including:

a plate-like member having a tapered section with a leading part and a trailing part, the leading part of the tapered section being wider than the trailing part of the tapered section; and

a plurality of fins, each fin of the plurality of fins extending a distance below the plate-like member;

wherein in the deployed position, a trailing portion of the plate-like member is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.

15. The recreational sport boat of claim 14 , wherein each wake-modifying device further includes a downturned surface.

16. The recreational sport boat of claim 15 , wherein the downturned surface is directly attached to the tapered section.

17. The recreational sport boat of claim 16 , wherein the downturned surface is at an edge of the tapered section.

18. The recreational sport boat of claim 14 , wherein each fin of the plurality of fins is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the pivot axis and extends in a direction aft and outboard from the pivot axis.

19. The recreational sport boat of claim 14 , wherein each fin of the plurality of fins is directly attached to an underside surface of the plate-like member.

20. The recreational sport boat of claim 14 , wherein one or more fins of the plurality of fins extends from a leading portion of the plate-like member to a trailing portion of the plate-like member.

Continuity (11)

References Cited (238)