US 12,258,110 B2
Thruster arrangement for a boat
Bradley R. Fishburn, Nappanee, IN (US); Blair A. Donat, Elkhart, IN (US); Gabriel A. Marshall, Three Rivers, MI (US); Michael J. Fuchs, Blaine, MN (US); and Andrew C. Schmid, Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
Assigned to Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, MN (US)
Filed by Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, MN (US)
Filed on Jul. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/222,071.
Application 18/222,071 is a continuation of application No. 17/405,797, filed on Aug. 18, 2021, granted, now 11,738,841.
Application 17/405,797 is a continuation of application No. 16/889,272, filed on Jun. 1, 2020, granted, now 11,208,188, issued on Dec. 28, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/859,507, filed on Jun. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0373606 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B63H 11/02 (2006.01); B63B 35/38 (2006.01); B63H 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 11/02 (2013.01) [B63B 35/38 (2013.01); B63H 2011/008 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pontoon boat, comprising:
a plurality of pontoons, the plurality of pontoons defining a port side envelope of the plurality of pontoons and a starboard side envelope of the plurality of pontoons, wherein the plurality of pontoons includes a port side pontoon, a starboard side pontoon, and a third pontoon positioned between the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon;
a deck supported by the plurality of pontoons, the deck having an outer perimeter; and
a thruster system including a first thruster positioned on a bow portion side of a lateral centerline of the pontoon boat and a second thruster positioned on a stern portion of the lateral centerline of the pontoon boat, at least one of the first thruster and the second thruster including a movable portion, the movable portion is rotatable between a first position and a second position, the second position located between the third pontoon and one of the port side pontoon and starboard side pontoon, wherein the at least one of the first thruster and the second thruster is capable of directing water to cause a desired movement of the pontoon boat when the movable portion is in the second position and is incapable of directing water to cause the desired movement of the pontoon boat when the movable portion is in the first position.