Boat hull protecting apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus to protect a boat hull against marine growth, said apparatus, comprising: rigid, generally hull-shaped framework means defining a space having greater dimensions thaN the hull of a boat to be protected, said framework means including upper and lower side elements interconnected at their front ends by bow piece elements and a stem piece element connecting said bow piece elements, and with side spacer pieces connecting the intermediate portions of said upper and lower side elements; a weighted gate pivotally connected to the rear of said framework means and movable between a raised, closed position wherein it defines the aft portion of said framework and a lowered, opened position; and a bag fabricated from a flexible sheet of waterproof material, said bag being secured to said framework means and the gate thereof, with the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that when said gate is moved to its lowered opened position, a boat to be protected is provided ingress and egress from the confines of said bag, and with the recited elements of said framework means and said gate at all times positively maintaining said bag spaced from said hull.