Pontoon Assembly with Lift Members, and Watercraft Having Same

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/640,827, filed Apr. 30, 2024 entitled “”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present technology relates to pontoon assemblies having lift members, and watercraft having pontoon assemblies with lift members.

Watercraft with electric propulsion systems are becoming increasingly popular. These electric propulsion systems have motors and batteries. The batteries can add significant weight to their watercraft.

Conventionally, to overcome the heavy weight of the batteries, hulls of watercraft have been modified by increasing their hull surface and by increasing hull buoyancy. However, this can lead to undesirable vessel behaviour, such as excessive rolling and/or excessive rocking of the watercraft in the water. This can negatively impact ride quality.

Thus, there is a desire for a technology that can accommodate for the heavy weight of the batteries, while limiting effects on ride quality.

It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present technology, there is provided a watercraft including a deck, a pontoon assembly supporting the deck, and a propulsion system supported by at least one of the pontoon assembly and the deck. The pontoon assembly includes a center pontoon, a port pontoon, a starboard pontoon, a port lift member and a starboard lift member. The center, port and starboard pontoons are connected to the deck. The port pontoon is disposed to a left of the center pontoon. The starboard pontoon is disposed to a right of the center pontoon. The port lift member is connected to and extends laterally between the center pontoon and the port pontoon. The port lift member is positioned vertically below a waterline of the watercraft at rest. A port volume is defined vertically between the port lift member and the deck. The starboard lift member is connected to and extends laterally between the center pontoon and the starboard pontoon. The starboard lift member is positioned vertically below the waterline of the watercraft at rest. The starboard volume is defined vertically between the starboard lift member and the deck. The port volume and the starboard volume are at least partially filled with water with the watercraft at rest on a body of water. The port lift member and the starboard lift member are configured to provide lift to the pontoon assembly as the pontoon assembly moves forward in the body of water.

In some embodiments, the port lift member and the starboard lift member are at least partially angled relative to a horizontal plane.

In some embodiments, a right side of the port lift member is vertically lower than a left side of the port lift member, a left side of the starboard lift member is vertically lower than a right side of the starboard lift member.

In some embodiments, the port lift member has a port leading portion angled such that a forward end of the port leading portion is vertically higher than a rearward end of the port leading portion, and the starboard lift member has a starboard leading portion angled such that a forward end of the starboard leading portion is vertically higher than a rearward end of the starboard leading portion.

In some embodiments, the port leading portion and the starboard leading portion are curved leading portions.

In some embodiments, the port lift member has a port body portion extending generally linearly, and the starboard lift member has a starboard body portion extending generally linearly.

In some embodiments, a vertically highest point of the port lift member and a vertically highest point of the starboard lift member are disposed vertically lower than a vertical midpoint of the center pontoon.

In some embodiments, a vertically lowest point of the port lift member is disposed vertically higher than a vertically lowest point of the port pontoon, and a vertically lowest point of the starboard lift member is disposed vertically higher than a vertically lowest point of the starboard pontoon.

In some embodiments, a length of the port lift member is greater than half of a length of the center pontoon, and a length of the starboard lift member is greater than half of the length of the center pontoon.

In some embodiments, the propulsion system includes a battery supported by at least one of the pontoon assembly and the deck, and an electric motor electrically connected to and powered by the battery.

In some embodiments, at least one of the port lift member and the starboard lift member includes a cooling system including a heat exchanger, and a cooling path in thermal contact with the heat exchanger and with at least one of the battery and the electric motor.

In some embodiments, the port volume is further partially defined by the center pontoon, the port pontoon and the port lift member, and the starboard volume is further partially defined by the center pontoon, the starboard pontoon and the starboard lift member.

According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a pontoon assembly for a watercraft. The pontoon assembly includes a center pontoon, a port pontoon disposed to a left of the center pontoon, and a starboard pontoon disposed to a right of the center pontoon, a port lift member and a starboard lift member. The port lift member is connected to and extends laterally between the center pontoon and the port pontoon. The port lift member is positioned vertically below a vertical midpoint of the center pontoon. A port channel extends over the port lift member, the port channel being defined by the center pontoon, the port lift member, and the port pontoon. A starboard lift member is connected to and extends laterally between the center pontoon and the starboard pontoon. The starboard lift member is positioned vertically below the vertical midpoint of the center pontoon. A starboard channel extends over the starboard lift member, the starboard channel being defined by the center pontoon, the starboard lift member, and the starboard pontoon. The port channel and the starboard channel are at least partially filled with water with the pontoon assembly at rest on a body of water. The port lift member and the starboard lift member are configured to provide lift to the pontoon assembly as the pontoon assembly moves forward in the body of water.

In some embodiments, the port lift member and the starboard lift member are at least partially angled relative to a horizontal plane.

In some embodiments, a right side of the port lift member is vertically lower than a left side of the port lift member, and a left side of the starboard lift member is vertically lower than a right side of the starboard lift member.

In some embodiments, the port lift member has a port leading portion angled such that a forward end of the port leading portion is vertically higher than a rearward end of the port leading portion, and the starboard lift member has a starboard leading portion angled such that a forward end of the starboard leading portion is vertically higher than a rearward end of the starboard leading portion.

In some embodiments, the port leading portion and the starboard leading portion are curved leading portions.

In some embodiments, the port lift member has a port body portion extending generally linearly, and the starboard lift member has a starboard body portion extending generally linearly.

In some embodiments, a vertically lowest point of the port lift member is disposed vertically higher than a vertically lowest point of the port pontoon, and a vertically lowest point of the starboard lift member is disposed vertically higher than a vertically lowest point of the starboard pontoon.

In some embodiments, a length of the port lift member is greater than half of a length of the center pontoon, and a length of the starboard lift member is greater than half of the length of the center pontoon.

In some embodiments, at least one of the port lift member and the starboard lift member includes a cooling system including a heat exchanger, and a cooling path in thermal contact with the heat exchanger and at least one of a battery and a motor

Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Unless indicated otherwise, the Figures are not drawn to scale.

A watercraftin accordance with one embodiment of the present technology is shown in. The following description relates to one example of a watercraft, notably a pontoon boat. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are other known types of watercraft incorporating different designs and that some aspects of the present technology would encompass these other watercraft.

For purposes of the description of the watercraft, terms related to spatial orientation when referring thereto and components in relation to the watercraft, such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “forwardly”, “rearwardly”, “left”, “right”, “above” and “below”, are, unless indicated otherwise, as they would be understood by a driver of the watercraftsitting thereon in an upright driving position, with the watercraftbeing at rest on a body of water and generally level.

Referring to, the watercraft, henceforth referred to as boat, includes a deck, a pontoon assemblyand a propulsion system. The deckis disposed on, and supported by, the pontoon assembly. The propulsion systemis also supported by the pontoon assembly. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the propulsion systemmay be supported by the deckor by both the deckand the pontoon assembly.

The deckhas an upper surfacefor supporting occupants, as well as accessories and accommodations of the boat, and a lower surfacefor connecting with the pontoon assembly.

The boatincludes left and right front furniture units, left and right intermediate seats, and left and right rear furniture units, all of which are connected to the upper surfaceof the deck. The left and right front furniture unitseach include two seats. The left and right intermediate seatsare swivel seats. The left and right rear furniture unitseach include three seats. It is understood that the layout and/or configuration of the left and right front furniture units, the left and right intermediate seats, and the left and right rear furniture unitsmay vary. The boatfurther includes a command consolethat is disposed between the front right furniture unitand the right intermediate seat. It is contemplated that the deckcould include multiple levels and/or other seating or other accessories integrated therein.

The boatfurther includes a side structuresurrounding at least part of the deckand extending upwardly therefrom. In the present embodiment, the side structureis a barrier structure. It is contemplated that that in some embodiments, the side structurecould be gunnels of the boator another type of structure. The barrier structureis located along a periphery of the boat(as defined by the deck). As best seen in, the barrier structuregenerally covers the front, left and right sides of the deck. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the barrier structurecould surround the deckcompletely.

The boathas, at a rear thereof, beyond the barrier structure, a rear platform. The rear platformprovides additional space at the rear of the boatwhich can facilitate access to the water.

Referring to, the pontoon assembly, which can sometimes be referred to as a hull, includes a center pontoon, a port pontoonthat is disposed on a left side of the center pontoon(i.e., on a port side of the boat) and a starboard pontoonthat is disposed on a right side of the center pontoon(i.e., on a starboard side of the boat). The pontoon assemblyalso includes a port lift memberthat is connected to the center and port pontoons,and a starboard lift memberthat is connected to the center and starboard pontoons,. The pontoon assemblywill be described in greater detail below.

Referring to, the propulsion systemincludes a batteryand an electric motor. The electric motoris electrically connected to, and powered by, the battery. The electric motoris received in a housing, and forms part of an outboard motor. The boatis propelled by a propeller systemwhich is operatively connected to the electric motor. A steering wheel(), which is disposed on the command console, is operatively connected to the outboard motorto steer the outboard motorin order to steer the boat. An acceleration lever(), which is also disposed on the command console, is operatively connected to the electric motorfor controlling operation thereof. It is contemplated that other propulsion assemblies, such as a stern drive or a jet propulsion assemblies may be used to propel the boat. The propulsion systemwill be described in greater detail below. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the propulsion systemmay include, instead of the batteryand the electric motor, an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank. It also contemplated that the batterycould be another type of energy storage device (e.g., hydrogen storage tank).

Referring to, the pontoon assembly, which includes the center pontoon, the port pontoon, the starboard pontoon, will now be described in greater detail.

The port and starboard pontoons,are similar to one another (symmetrical about a longitudinal center plane of the boat).

The port pontoon, which is tubular, extends longitudinally so as to span a majority of a length of the deck. The port pontoonhas, at a front end thereof, a cone portion. It is contemplated that the cone portionmay be integral with a remaining of the port pontoon, or may be selectively connected thereto. The cone portionhas a hydrodynamic shape that can assist in reducing drag induced by the port pontoonduring movement of the boat, particularly in the forward direction. The cone portionis hollow, but may be filled with a material such as closed-cell foam. Rearward from the cone portion, the port pontoonotherwise has a cylindrical body, such that a cross-section of the port pontoontaken rearward from the cone portionalong a lateral plane defines a circle. It is contemplated that the cross-section of the port pontoonmay vary. The port pontoonis connected to the deckvia two connecting members. The two connecting members, which extend along a length of the port pontoon, are connected to an upper side of the port pontoon, and are connected to the lower surfaceof the deck. It is contemplated that the port pontoonmay be connected to the deckdifferently, for example, by one single connecting member. The port pontoonfurther has port strakedisposed on laterally outer and lower sides thereof. The port strakeextends longitudinally, from a rear end of the port pontoonto a rear end of the cone portion. In some embodiments, the port strakemay be omitted and/or additional strakes may be provided.

Likewise, the starboard pontoon, which is tubular, extends longitudinally so as to span a majority of a length of the deck. The port and starboard pontoons,have similar lengths. The starboard pontoonhas, at a front end thereof, a cone portion. It is contemplated that the cone portionmay be integral with a remaining of the starboard pontoon, or may be selectively connected thereto. The cone portionhas a hydrodynamic shape that can assist in reducing drag induced by the starboard pontoonduring movement of the boat, particularly in the forward direction. The cone portionis hollow, but may be filled with a material such as closed-cell foam. Rearward from the cone portion, the starboard pontoonotherwise has a cylindrical body, such that a cross-section of the starboard pontoontaken rearward from the cone portionalong a lateral plane defines a circle. It is contemplated that the cross-section of the starboard pontoonmay vary. The starboard pontoonis connected to the deckvia two connecting members. The two connecting members, which extend along a length of the starboard pontoon, are connected to an upper side of the starboard pontoon, and are connected to the lower surfaceof the deck. It is contemplated that the starboard pontoonmay be connected to the deckdifferently, for example, by one single connecting member. The starboard pontoonfurther has starboard strakedisposed on laterally outer and lower sides thereof. The starboard strakeextends longitudinally, from a rear end of the starboard pontoonto a rear end of the cone portion. In some embodiments, the starboard strakemay be omitted and/or additional strakes may be provided.

Still referring to, the center pontoonis laterally centered along a width of the boat. The center pontoon, which is tubular, extends longitudinally so as to span a majority of a length of the deck. The center pontoonis longer than the port and starboard pontoons,. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the center, port and starboard pontoons,,may have similar lengths.

The center pontoonhas, at a front end thereof, a cone portion. It is contemplated that the cone portionmay be integral with a remaining of the center pontoon, or may be selectively connected thereto. The cone portionhas a hydrodynamic shape that can assist in reducing drag induced by the center pontoonduring movement of the boat, particularly in the forward direction. The cone portionis hollow, but may be filled with a material such as closed-cell foam. It is contemplated that a shape of the cone portionmay vary from one embodiment to another.

Rearward from the cone portion, the center pontoonis shaped such that a cross-section thereof taken along a lateral plane has an upper surfacethat is flatter than a lower surface. More specifically, the cross-section defines a gibbous shape. It is contemplated that the cross-section of the center pontoonmay vary. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the center pontoonmay be a semi-circle (i.e., the upper surfacemay be completely flat). It is also contemplated that, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the center pontoonmay be an ellipsoid.

Referring to, the center pontoonis configured such that a height of the center pontoonvaries laterally, and a width of the center pontoon varies vertically. The center pontoonhas, at a lateral center thereof, a maximum height H. The maximum height Hextends from a lowest vertical point Cof the center pontoonto a highest vertical point Cof the center pontoon. The center pontoonfurther has, at the intersection between the upper and lower surfaces,, a maximum width W. The maximum width Wis greater than the maximum height H.

In some instances, the upper surfacebeing flatter than the lower surfacecan increase a rigidity of the center pontoon. Additionally, as will be described below, the upper surfacebeing flatter than the lower surfaceassists in providing sufficient clearance between the upper surfacethereof and the lower surfaceof the deckfor receiving the batterytherebetween.

Referring to, on the upper surfacethereof, the center pontoonhas a plurality of reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribsare longitudinally spaced from one another, and extend laterally. Within the center pontoon, rearward from the cone portion, a plurality of internal wallsdelimit the internal space of the center pontoonin a plurality of distinct chambers. Each one of the internal wallsis longitudinally aligned with a respective one of the reinforcing ribs. In the present embodiment, the chambersare hollow. In other embodiments, the chambersmay be, at least partially, filled with a material such as closed-cell foam. The center pontoonhas, toward the rear end thereof, a lidfor providing access to the rearmost chamber. A bilge pumpis disposed in the rearmost chamber, and is configured to pump fluid out thereof. A mounting plateis connected to the read end of the center pontoonfor mounting the outboard motorto the center pontoon.

Referring to, a vertical spacer assemblyconnects the center pontoonto the deck. The vertical spacer assemblyincludes a vertical spacerthat is disposed toward a left side of the center pontoon, and a vertical spacerthat is disposed toward a right side of the center pontoon. It is contemplated that the configuration of the vertical spacer assemblymay vary from one embodiment to another. For example, in some embodiments, the vertical spacer assemblymay consist of one unitary vertical spacer.