Abstract: A sailboat mast is provided with a non-conducting upper end portion. The non-conducting portion is formed by wrapping a plastic core with resin-impregnated fiberglass and molding the wrapped core. The lower end of the non-conducting portion is provided with a necked-down portion which is inserted into the upper end of a conventional metal mast. The trailing side of the non-conducting portion has a pair of longitudinally extending grooves, and a plastic luff track includes a pair of attaching flanges which are inserted into the grooves.

Abstract: A removable rudder assembly for a boat includes a rudder and upper and lower rudder shafts which are detachably connected together. The lower shaft is connected to the rudder, and connecting plugs are attached to the adjacent ends of the upper and lower shafts. A pair of wedge-shaped tongues on one plug extend into wedge-shaped recesses in the other plug. A rod extends through the upper shaft and the connecting plug attached thereto and is threadedly engaged with the connecting plug on the lower shaft to hold the two plugs together.

Abstract: A removable rudder assembly for a boat includes a generally key-hole shaped rudder lock member which is adapted to fit into a key-hole shaped slot in the keel of the boat adjacent the stern. A rudder shaft extends through the rudder lock member, and a rudder is mounted on the rudder shaft. A tiller is removably attached to the upper end of the rudder shaft. The rudder assembly is removed from the boat by detaching the tiller, removing the rudder lock member from the slot, and withdrawing the shaft rearwardly from the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an outboard motor on a boat includes a pair of guide tracks which are adapted to be mounted on the boat and a carriage slidably mounted in the tracks. A motor mounting plate is pivotally mounted on the carriage and is pivotable between a generally horizontal storage position and a generally vertical use position. An outboard motor can be clamped on the motor mounting plate, and when the motor is to be stored, the motor mounting plate is pivoted to its storage position to raise the motor out of the water, and the carriage is moved forwardly on the guide tracks to move the motor into the hull of the boat.

Abstract: The jib furling mechanism is located beneath the junction of the bridle wires which hold the forestay to permit the forward portion of the foot of the jib to extend to the bridle junction and increase jib area. The bridle wires are joined by a structural link integrally formed with the housing for the furling mechanism. This housing telescopically receives a forestay adjuster for adjusting mast rake. The jib may be lowered without removing the forestay, or it may be furled about the forestay using the furling mechanism.

Abstract: A sailboat traveler apparatus with bearings having a circular cross section at their pivots which are received in a track with a circular cross section with the traveler carriage being pivotal about the centerline of the track so that pivoting forces on the carriage remain transferred to the bearing surfaces of the bearings and track without binding. The bearings may be spherical or cylindrical depending upon the desired friction between bearing and track.

Abstract: A halyard line extends over a pulley at the top of a mast and is connected to the head of the mainsail by a ring connector. Beneath the pulley, a hook plate with a pivoting pawl is secured to the mast. When the halyard line is pulled, the sail is raised, and the shackle engages the pawl and forces it upwardly thereby exposing the catch of the hook plate so that the ring will be seated in the catch and held by the hook plate. When it is desired to lower the sail, the halyard is pulled until the ring rises above the pawl and the pawl will fall to cover the catch when the halyard is released. The top of the pawl guides the ring down and beyond the hook plate until it is free. The sail may then be fully lowered.

Abstract: A process for molding structural members, as for example a boat hull, from plastic sheets. The main body and the deck of the hull are separately vacuum-formed. Plastic foam is then adhered onto the interior surfaces of the sheets. The main body and hull thereafter joined along the gunwale.

Abstract: A tubular pylon secured to a deck is provided with a core telescopically and slidably received in its distal end. In securing the deck to the hull, a well is provided in a shoe to be received in and secured to the hull. Glue is inserted in the well and applied along the intended glue seam between the deck and hull. The deck/pylon assembly and hull are then assembled to be clamped in a jig. During assembly, the core acts as a plunger to force glue in the well of the shoe upwardly about the outer surface of the pylon to secure the pylon to the shoe. The core is frictionally held by the pylon to exert a desired force in holding the shoe against the inside of the hull while the adhesive sets to secure the shoe to the hull and the deck to the hull.

Abstract: A boat hull fabricated from synthetic plastic sheets. The main body and the deck of the hull are separately vacuum-formed. Plastic foam is then adhered onto the interior surfaces of the sheets. The main body and hull thereafter joined along the gunwale.