Propulsion system for small boats

Claim 1

HYDRAULIC PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR SMALL OPEN BOATS COMPRISING: (A) A CYLINDRICALLY SHAPED MOUNTING COLUMN, (B) MEANS ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE INTERIOR BOTTOM PORTION OF A BOAT AT THE KEEL REGION OF THE BOAT AND JOURNALLING SAID COLUMN FOR STEERING ROTATION ON A NORMALLY VERTICAL AXIS WITH SAID COLUMN EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THROUGH THE BOTTOM BELOW THE KEEL OF SAID BOAT, (C) A DRIVE SHAFT AXIALLY EXTENDING THROUGH, AND JOURNALLED FOR ROTARY MOVEMENT IN SAID COLUMN, (D) AN IMPELLER MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM END OF SAID SHAFT, (E) A HOUSING FOR SAID IMPELLER HAVING WATER INTAKE AND EXHAUST PORT MEANS AND BEING ADAPTED TO CONVERT HORIZONTAL ROTATIONAL MOVEMENTS OF SAID IMPELLER INTO LATERALLY EXERTED HYDRAULIC THRUST, (F) SAID HOUSING BEING RIGIDLY SECURE TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID COLUMN FOR COMMON ROTATION THEREWITH, (G) AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE MOUNTED ON THE TOP OF SAID COLUMN BELOW THE HIGH WATER LINE ON THE EXTERIOR OF SAID BOAT, (H) EXHAUST PASSAGE MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND A PORT DEFINED BY SAID COLUMN BELOW THE BOTTOM OF SAID BOAT, (I) AND MEANS POSITIVELY PREVENTING PASSAGE OF WATER THROUGH SAID EXHAUST PASSAGE MEANS TO SAID ENGINE WHEN SAID ENGINE IS IN DISUSE OR REMOVED AND WHEN SAID BOAT IS RESTING IN SAID WATER UNDER SAID HIGH WATER LINE CONDITION.