대표
청구항
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1. A water-sports boat having a surf wake system for modifying a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat travelling through water to enhance the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or to enhance the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the water-sports boat comprising: a hull having a transom;a rudder for steering the water-sports boat as the hull moves through water;at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders...
1. A water-sports boat having a surf wake system for modifying a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat travelling through water to enhance the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or to enhance the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the water-sports boat comprising: a hull having a transom;a rudder for steering the water-sports boat as the hull moves through water;at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders; anda pair of flaps including a port flap and a starboard flap, each independently movable from a retracted position wherein a respective flap is substantially entirely retracted behind the transom such that no substantial portion of the respective flap extends past a port-side edge, a starboard-side edge, or a bottom edge of the transom to a deployed position in which portions of a respective flap move past the transom to deflect water traveling along the hull of the water-sports boat and past the transom;wherein the port flap, when in the deployed position while the starboard flap is in the retracted position, enhances the starboard wave by making the face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than the face of the port wave;wherein the starboard flap, when in the deployed position while the port flap is in the retracted position, enhances the port wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave when a surfer desires to change from surfing an enhanced starboard wave to surfing an enhanced port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave when the surfer desires to change from surfing the enhance port wave to surfing the enhanced starboard wave, and wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave while moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing. 2. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein in the deployed position, the respective flap extends outboard beyond a side surface of the water-sports boat at the transom to deflect water traveling along the side and past the transom. 3. The water-sports boat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of positioners operably connected to a respective flap for positioning the respective flap relative to a longitudinal axis of the water-sports boat. 4. The water-sports boat of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of positioners is a linear actuator configured to selectively move a respective flap between the respective retracted and deployed positions. 5. The water-sports boat of claim 3, wherein the system further comprises a controller installed within the water-sports boat and operably connected to the plurality of positioners to selectively position the respective flaps. 6. The water-sports boat of claim 5, wherein the controller comprises a display panel for displaying an indication of a position of the respective flaps. 7. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein each flap comprises a substantially planar member. 8. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein each flap is approximately 10-15 inches high and approximately 15-20 inches long. 9. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the each flap comprises at least one of plastic, stainless steel, wood and fiberglass. 10. The water-sports boat of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for receiving input from a user, wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave in response to input received via the user interface. 11. The water-sports boat of claim 10, wherein the input received via the user interface is actuation of a single input device. 12. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the water-sports boat is configured to enhance the starboard wave or to enhance the port wave without significant leaning of the water-sports boat to the starboard or port side. 13. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave without needing to move weight from one side to the other in the at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders. 14. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein: the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the port flap has a substantially planar portion that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the port flap is in the deployed position, and wherein the substantially planar portion is between the pivot axis and the angled end portion; andthe starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the starboard flap has a substantially planar portion that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the starboard flap is in the deployed position, and wherein the substantially planar portion is between the pivot axis and the angled end portion. 15. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein: the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a port hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom; andthe starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a starboard hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a second respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 16. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein: the port flap in the deployed position extends past the port-side edge of the transom; andthe starboard flap in the deployed position extends past the starboard-side edge of the transom. 17. A water-sports boat having a surf wake system for modifying a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat travelling through water to enhance the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or to enhance the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the water-sports boat comprising: a hull having a transom;a rudder for steering the water-sports boat as the hull moves through water;at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders; anda pair of flaps including a port flap and a starboard flap, each independently movable from a retracted position to a deployed position in which portions of a respective flap deflect water traveling along the hull of the water-sports boat and past the transom;wherein the port flap, when in the deployed position while the starboard flap is in the retracted position, enhances the starboard wave by making the face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than the face of the port wave;wherein the starboard flap, when in the deployed position while the port flap is in the retracted position, enhances the port wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave when a surfer desires to change from surfing an enhanced starboard wave to surfing an enhanced port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave when the surfer desires to change from surfing the enhance port wave to surfing the enhanced starboard wave, and wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave while moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing;wherein each flap is configured to slide between the retracted position and the deployed position. 18. The water-sports boat of claim 17, wherein each flap extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the water-sports boat. 19. A method of operating a water-sports boat to modify a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat traveling through water by selectively enhancing the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or alternatively enhancing the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the method comprising: utilizing one or more ballast tanks, bags, or bladders with ballast to increase the size of the wake produced by the water-sports boat;moving the water-sports boat through water to produce the wake, wherein the water-sports boat comprises a rudder for steering the water-sports boat as the hull moves through water;positioning a port flap in a deployed position while a starboard flap is in a retracted position, wherein when the starboard flap is in the retracted position the starboard flap is substantially entirely retracted behind a transom of the water-sports boat such that no substantial portion of the starboard flap extends past a port-side edge, a starboard-side edge, or a bottom edge of the transom, and wherein when the port flap is in the deployed position portions of the port flap move past the transom to deflect water traveling along a hull of the water-sports boat to enhance the starboard wave by making the face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than the face of the port wave; andmoving the starboard flap to the deployed position and the port flap to the retracted position to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave while the water-sports boat is moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing when a surfer desires to change from surfing an enhanced starboard wave to surfing an enhanced port wave, wherein when the port flap is in the retracted position the port flap is substantially entirely retracted behind the transom such that no substantial portion of the port flap extends past a port-side edge, a starboard-side edge, or a bottom edge of the transom, and wherein when the starboard flap is in the deployed position portions of the starboard flap move past the transom to deflect water traveling along a hull of the water-sports boat to enhance the port wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing user input to a user interface, wherein the moving of the starboard flap to the deployed position and the port flap to the retracted position is responsive to the input received by the user interface. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein providing user input to the user interface comprises actuating a single input device. 22. The method claim 19, comprising enhancing the starboard wave or enhancing the port wave without significant leaning of the water-sports boat to the starboard or port side. 23. The method claim 19, wherein the moving of the starboard flap to the deployed position and the port flap to the retracted position is sufficient to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave without needing to move weight from one side to the other in the at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein: the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the port flap has a substantially planar portion that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the port flap is in the deployed position, and wherein the substantially planar portion is between the pivot axis and the angled end portion; andthe starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the starboard flap has a substantially planar portion that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the starboard flap is in the deployed position, and wherein the substantially planar portion is between the pivot axis and the angled end portion. 25. The method of claim 19, wherein: the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a port hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom; andthe starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a starboard hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a second respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 26. The method of claim 19, wherein: the port flap in the deployed position extends past the port-side edge of the transom; andthe starboard flap in the deployed position extends past the starboard-side edge of the transom. 27. A method of operating a water-sports boat to modify a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat traveling through water by selectively enhancing the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or alternatively enhancing the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the method comprising: utilizing one or more ballast tanks, bags, or bladders with ballast to increase the size of the wake produced by the water-sports boat;moving the water-sports boat through water to produce the wake;steering the water-sports boat using a rudder;positioning a port flap in a deployed position while a starboard flap is in a retracted position, wherein when the port flap is in the deployed position portions of the port flap deflect water traveling along a hull of the water-sports boat to enhance the starboard wave by making the face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than the face of the port wave; andmoving the starboard flap to the deployed position and the port flap to the retracted position to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave while the water-sports boat is moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing when a surfer desires to change from surfing an enhanced starboard wave to surfing an enhanced port wave, wherein when the starboard flap is in the deployed position portions of the starboard flap deflect water traveling along a hull of the water-sports boat to enhance the port wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;wherein each flap is configured to slide between the retracted position and the deployed position. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein each flap extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the water-sports boat. 29. A water-sports boat having a surf wake system for modifying a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat travelling through water to enhance the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or to enhance the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the water-sports boat comprising: a hull having a transom;a rudder for steering the water-sports boat as the hull moves through water;at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders; anda pair of flaps including a port flap and a starboard flap, each independently movable from a retracted position wherein at least portions of a respective flap are retracted behind the transom to a deployed position in which portions of a respective flap move past an edge of the transom to deflect water traveling along the hull of the water-sports boat and past the transom;wherein the port flap, when in the deployed position while the starboard flap is in the retracted position, enhances the starboard wave by making the face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than the face of the port wave;wherein the starboard flap, when in the deployed position while the port flap is in the retracted position, enhances the port wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave when a surfer desires to change from surfing an enhanced starboard wave to surfing an enhanced port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave when the surfer desires to change from surfing the enhance port wave to surfing the enhanced starboard wave, and wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave while moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing;wherein the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the port flap has a substantially planar portion that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the port flap is in the deployed position, and wherein the substantially planar portion is between the pivot axis and the angled end portion; andwherein the starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the starboard flap has a substantially planar portion that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the starboard flap is in the deployed position, and wherein the substantially planar portion is between the pivot axis and the angled end portion. 30. The water-sports boat of claim 29, wherein: the port flap in the deployed position extends past a port-side edge of the transom; andthe starboard flap in the deployed position extends past a starboard-side edge of the transom. 31. The water-sports boat of claim 29, comprising: a first actuator configured to move the port flap between the retracted position and the deployed position;a second actuator configured to move the starboard flap between the retracted position and the deployed position; anda user interface for receiving a selection of enhancing the port wave or of enhancing the starboard wave, wherein the first and second actuators are responsive to the selection of enhancing the port wave to position the port flap at the retracted position and to position the starboard flap at the deployed position, and wherein the first and second actuators are responsive to the selection of enhancing the starboard wave to position the starboard flap at the retracted position and to position the port flap at the deployed position. 32. The water-sports boat of claim 29, wherein the water-sports boat is configured to enhance the starboard wave or to enhance the port wave without significant leaning of the water-sports boat to the starboard or port side. 33. The water-sports boat of claim 29, wherein the water sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave without needing to move weight from one side to the other in the at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders. 34. A water-sports boat having a surf wake system for modifying a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat travelling through water to enhance the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or to enhance the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the water-sports boat comprising: a hull having a transom;a rudder for steering the water-sports boat as the hull moves through water;at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders; anda pair of flaps including a port flap and a starboard flap, each independently movable from a retracted position wherein at least portions of a respective flap are retracted behind the transom to a deployed position in which portions of a respective flap move past an edge of the transom to deflect water traveling along the hull of the water-sports boat and past the transom;wherein the port flap, when in the deployed position while the starboard flap is in the retracted position, enhances the starboard wave by making the face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than the face of the port wave;wherein the starboard flap, when in the deployed position while the port flap is in the retracted position, enhances the port wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave when a surfer desires to change from surfing an enhanced starboard wave to surfing an enhanced port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave when the surfer desires to change from surfing the enhance port wave to surfing the enhanced starboard wave, and wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave while moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing;wherein the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a port hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom; andwherein the starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a starboard hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a second respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 35. The water-sports boat of claim 34, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than 10 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than 10 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 36. The water-sports boat of claim 34, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than 5 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than 5 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 37. The water-sports boat of claim 34, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 5 inches from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is positioned less than 5 inches from the second respective edge of the transom. 38. The water-sports boat of claim 37, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than 10 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than 10 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 39. The water-sports boat of claim 37, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than 5 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than 5 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 40. The water-sports boat of claim 34, wherein: the port flap in the deployed position extends past a port-side edge of the transom; andthe starboard flap in the deployed position extends past a starboard-side edge of the transom. 41. The water-sports boat of claim 34, comprising: a first actuator configured to move the port flap between the retracted position and the deployed position;a second actuator configured to move the starboard flap between the retracted position and the deployed position; anda user interface for receiving a selection of enhancing the port wave or of enhancing the starboard wave, wherein the first and second actuators are responsive to the selection of enhancing the port wave to position the port flap at the retracted position and to position the starboard flap at the deployed position, and wherein the first and second actuators are responsive to the selection of enhancing the starboard wave to position the starboard flap at the retracted position and to position the port flap at the deployed position. 42. The water-sports boat of claim 34, wherein the water-sports boat is configured to enhance the starboard wave or to enhance the port wave without significant leaning of the water-sports boat to the starboard or port side. 43. The water-sports boat of claim 34, wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave without needing to move weight from one side to the other in the at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders. 44. A method of operating a water-sports boat to modify a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat traveling through water by selectively enhancing the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or alternatively enhancing the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the method comprising: utilizing one or more ballast tanks, bags, or bladders with ballast to increase the size of the wake produced by the water-sports boat;moving the water-sports boat through water to produce the wake;steering the water-sports boat using a rudder;positioning a port flap in a deployed position while a starboard flap is in a retracted position, wherein when the starboard flap is in the retracted position at least portions of the starboard flap are retracted behind a transom of the water-sports boat, and wherein when the port flap is in the deployed position portions of the port flap move past an edge of the transom to deflect water traveling along a hull of the water-sports boat to enhance the starboard wave by making the face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than the face of the port wave; andmoving the starboard flap to the deployed position and the port flap to the retracted position to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave while the water-sports boat is moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing when a surfer desires to change from surfing an enhanced starboard wave to surfing an enhanced port wave, wherein when the port flap is in the retracted position at least portions of the port flap are retracted behind the transom, and wherein when the starboard flap is in the deployed position portions of the starboard flap move past an edge of the transom to deflect water traveling along a hull of the water-sports boat to enhance the port wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;wherein the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the port flap has a substantially planar portion that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the port flap is in the deployed position, and wherein the substantially planar portion is between the pivot axis and the angled end portion; andwherein the starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the starboard flap has a substantially planar portion that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the starboard flap is in the deployed position, and wherein the substantially planar portion is between the pivot axis and the angled end portion. 45. A method of operating a water-sports boat to modify a wake having eventually diverging port and starboard waves formed by the water-sports boat traveling through water by selectively enhancing the starboard wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the port wave or alternatively enhancing the port wave to have a face substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave, the method comprising: utilizing one or more ballast tanks, bags, or bladders with ballast to increase the size of the wake produced by the water-sports boat;moving the water-sports boat through water to produce the wake;steering the water-sports boat using a rudder;positioning a port flap in a deployed position while a starboard flap is in a retracted position, wherein when the starboard flap is in the retracted position at least portions of the starboard flap are retracted behind a transom of the water-sports boat, and wherein when the port flap is in the deployed position portions of the port flap move past an edge of the transom to deflect water traveling along a hull of the water-sports boat to enhance the starboard wave by making the face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than the face of the port wave; andmoving the starboard flap to the deployed position and the port flap to the retracted position to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave while the water-sports boat is moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing when a surfer desires to change from surfing an enhanced starboard wave to surfing an enhanced port wave, wherein when the port flap is in the retracted position at least portions of the port flap are retracted behind the transom, and wherein when the starboard flap is in the deployed position portions of the starboard flap move past an edge of the transom to deflect water traveling along a hull of the water-sports boat to enhance the port wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;wherein the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a port hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom; andwherein the starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a starboard hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a second respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than 10 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than 10 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 47. The method of claim 45, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than 5 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than 5 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 48. The method of claim 45, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 5 inches from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is positioned less than 5 inches from the second respective edge of the transom. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than 10 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than 10 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom. 50. The method of claim 48, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than 5 degrees from the first respective edge of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than 5 degrees from the second respective edge of the transom.
