초록 ▼

A wake modifying system for modifying a wake produced by a watercraft traveling through water may include a rudder pivotally mounted to the watercraft for steering the watercraft, a fin pivotally mounted to the watercraft substantially along a centerline of the watercraft and forward the rudder, whe

A wake modifying system for modifying a wake produced by a watercraft traveling through water may include a rudder pivotally mounted to the watercraft for steering the watercraft, a fin pivotally mounted to the watercraft substantially along a centerline of the watercraft and forward the rudder, wherein the fin pivots about an upright axis to modify the wake produced by the watercraft traveling through the water, an actuator mounted within the watercraft and operably coupled to the fin for pivoting the fin relative to the centerline, and a controller mounted on the watercraft allowing an operator to control the actuator and selectively pivot the fin to a desired angle θd relative to the centerline.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An inboard water-sports boat configured to produce a wake suitable for wake surfing, the inboard water-sports boat comprising: a hull configured to produce a wake when the hull moves through water, said hull housing an engine and a ballast system;at least one pivotable fin disposed on an undersid

1. An inboard water-sports boat configured to produce a wake suitable for wake surfing, the inboard water-sports boat comprising: a hull configured to produce a wake when the hull moves through water, said hull housing an engine and a ballast system;at least one pivotable fin disposed on an underside centerline of the hull, wherein the fin pivots about a substantially vertical axis between a neutral position, a first engaged position configured to produce a first wake modification, and a second engaged position configured to produce a second wake modification;a user interface configured to receive user input;at least one actuator responsive to the user input received by the user interface to pivot the at least one fin between the neutral position, the first engaged position, and the second engaged position; anda rudder configured to, when desired, counter course alterations caused by the at least one fin in the first engaged position or in the second engaged position to track the inboard water-sports boat in a straight line through the water. 2. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the fin is disposed forward of a midline of the inboard water-sports boat. 3. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the fin is disposed between a stern and a midline of the inboard water-sports boat. 4. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the fin is disposed substantially proximate a midline of the inboard water-sports boat. 5. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the at least one fin comprises two or more fins disposed on the centerline of the inboard water-sports boat. 6. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 1, further comprising a controller responsive to the user input received by the user interface, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one actuator to pivot the at least one fin in response to the user input received by the user interface. 7. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the inboard water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing a right side of the wake for wake surfing to enhancing a left side of the wake for wake surfing or to change from enhancing the left side of the wake for wake surfing to enhancing the right side of the wake for wake surfing while the inboard water-sports boat is moving at a speed suitable for wake surfing. 8. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the inboard water-sports boat is configured to produce the wake suitable for wake surfing without significant leaning of the inboard water-sports boat to the side. 9. An inboard water-sports boat for wake surfing, the inboard water-sports boat comprising: a hull housing an engine and a ballast system;a propeller positioned under the hull and responsive to the engine to move the hull forward through water to produce a wake having a right wave and a left wave;at least one fin movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the inboard water-sports boat is configured to enhance the right wave for wake surfing on a right side of the inboard water-sports boat when the inboard water-sports boat moves through water with the at least one fin in the first position, and wherein the inboard water-sports boat is configured to enhance the left wave for wake surfing on a left side of the inboard water-sports boat when the inboard water-sports boat moves through water with the at least one fin in the second position; anda rudder for, when desired, tracking the inboard water-sports boat in a substantially straight path as the inboard water-sports boat moves through water with the at least one fin in the first position or the second position to enhance the right wave or left wave without significant leaning of the inboard water-sports boat to a side;wherein the at least one fin is disposed on a centerline of the inboard water-sports boat. 10. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 9, comprising: a user interface configured to receive user input indicating a selection of enhancing the right wave or enhancing the left wave; andat least one actuator responsive to the user input received by the user interface, wherein the at least one actuator is configured to move the at least one fin between the first position and the second position in response to the user input received by the user interface,wherein the inboard water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the right wave to enhancing the left wave or to change from enhancing the left wave to enhancing the right wave while the inboard water-sports boat is moving at a speed suitable for wake surfing. 11. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 10, wherein the user interface comprises a touchscreen. 12. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 9, wherein the at least one fin is configured to pivot between the first position and the second position. 13. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 12, wherein the at least one fin is configured to pivot about an upright axis. 14. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 9, wherein the at least one fin has a substantially vertical orientation in at least one of the first position and the second position. 15. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 14, wherein the substantially vertical orientation of the at least one fin is a somewhat inclined orientation. 16. The inboard water-sports boat of claim 9, wherein the at least one fin comprises two or more fins.