Vessel having two tubular float elements

Claim 1

A floating vessel comprising a rigid support structure which is elongate and has a prow and a stern and constitutes the means whereby the vessel floats, said support structure comprising means defining two rigid fluidtight hollow elongate tubular float parts which extend from the prow to the stern of the support structure and define an opening of the support structure, each of said float parts having relative to a vertical axial plane of the vessel an outer convex contour in plan, the outer contours of the two float parts in plan tapering toward and substantially meeting at the prow and stern of the support structure and thereby imparting to the support structure substantially a shape in plan of a conventional single-hull boat which tapers at both ends, the two float parts having in side elevation an upwardly concave curvilinear shape on an upper side and a downwardly convex curvilinear shape on a lower side of the float parts, first assembling means above the water line interconnecting the float parts at the prow and stern of the support structure and second assembling means intermediate and spaced from said first assembling means for rigidly interconnecting the two float parts, said opening extending throughout the height of the vessel between said first assembling means at said prow and stern and said second assembling means, and said opening having a width transversely of the vessel which is a minor part of the overall width of the support structure substantially throughout the length of the support structure, the tubular float parts each having a varying cross-sectional shape and widening in plan in the region of said second assembling means and a transversely substantially rectilinear upper contour whereby upper surfaces of the float parts substantially define a deck.