Abstract: An adjustable surf wake system enhances a wake formed by a watercraft travelling through water. The system may include a flap for deflecting water traveling past the stern of the watercraft, and/or a positioner operably connected to the flap for positioning the flap relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft between a neutral position and an outward position. Positioning a port flap in its extended position enhances a starboard surf wake, and positioning the starboard flap in its extended position enhances a port surf wake.

Abstract: A wake modifying system for modifying a wake produced by a watercraft traveling through water may include a rudder pivotally mounted to the watercraft for steering the watercraft, a fin pivotally mounted to the watercraft substantially along a centerline of the watercraft and forward the rudder, wherein the fin pivots about an upright axis to modify the wake produced by the watercraft traveling through the water, an actuator mounted within the watercraft and operably coupled to the fin for pivoting the fin relative to the centerline, and a controller mounted on the watercraft allowing an operator to control the actuator and selectively pivot the fin to a desired angle ?d relative to the centerline.

Abstract: An integrated jack plate, comprising several components, in combination. There is a pair of mirror-configured boat mounting plates, an inner lower boat mounting plate cross member, and an outer lower boat mounting plate cross member. There is also provided, an inner upper boat mounting plate cross member, an outer upper boat mounting plate cross member, and a motor mounting slide plate. There is a hydraulic ram clevis coupled to the motor mounting slide plate and an integrated ram—reservoir—motor unit. Lastly, there is a hydraulic base mount and a travel stop.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable boat having a self-inflation system which advantageously makes it possible to shorten the air injection time, thus quickly taking a proper measure under an emergency situation, in such a manner that a speed tube or an air passage tube disposed in the boat's body and an air distribution system each help inject compressed air into a plurality of compartments forming the boat's body simultaneously at a designated pressure.

Abstract: A mooring system for a vessel includes an attachment unit configured to be detachably attached to a hull of the vessel; a robot arm including a plurality of arms, the arms being coupled to each other to turn in a vertical direction, the robot, arm extending by an arm actuator provided thereto to transfer the attachment unit to an attachment position of the hull; a rotation unit connected to the robot arm and allowing the robot arm to turn in a horizontal direction; and a mooring winch for winding a mooring cable to draw the attachment unit. A floating body or a quay wall may include the mooring system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus and method for attaching a ship rudder to a rudder shaft. The rudder shaft includes a cylindrical portion and an expanded flange part with a cylindrical portion, followed by a conical portion. The rudder includes a rudder element and a flange element for attachment to the rudder element. The flange element includes an internally cylindrical portion for mating, sliding and sealingly surrounding the cylindrical portion of the rudder shaft and an internally cylindrical portion for sliding, mating arrangement around the cylindrical portion of the flange part of the rudder shaft. The rudder element also includes a conical opening for mating attachment to the conical portion of the conical portion of the rudder shaft. It is provided channels for applying hydraulic pressure between the expanded flange part of the flange element, and means for tightening the flange element to the rudder element.

Abstract: A method, system and device for facilitating the retrieval of a marine anchor from an underwater obstruction, the device being configured to actuate when subjected to a force load of a predetermined peak force threshold to effect a change in the point of retrieval that an anchor rode makes with the anchor. The obstructed anchor may be retrieved from another direction, such as a direction opposite from which the anchor was set.

Abstract: Apparatus, devices and methods of operating multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic horizontal ladder oriented vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiting flexible webs attached between flexible support beams on swim fins. The fins can have a foot pocket. A pair of parallel support beams can be secured to the foot pocket and support a plurality of hydrofoil vanes in a resisted pivotal arrangement. Pivotal rotation of the vanes can be restricted by flexible membranes, between vanes and beams, to provide an optimum angle of attack for the during swimming. The fins can have at least one pivoting vane region connected to the fin with a flexible hinge member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fin box adapted to be fitted to a watercraft and to receive a fin having a base. The fin box includes an elongate receiving portion having a length. The base is adapted to be inserted into the receiving portion substantially laterally. The fin during insertion into the receiving portion is disposed at a lower than 90 degree angle to the receiving portion.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle that may be driven directly between land and water includes a vehicle with an opposed pair of flotation side hulls and a rear hull. The side hulls are movable between a stowed position above the vehicle and a lowered deployed position outboard thereof. Each side hull is mounted by arm assemblies including an upright bracket fixed to the vehicle and an arm pivotally connected to the bracket that can be extended or retracted linearly by actuators to raise and lower the side hulls. A locking mechanism prevents the extended side hulls from moving laterally but allows vertical adjustment thereof. The side hulls may be horizontally adjusted between compact contracted and extended protracted positions. The rear hull assembly is pivotally mounted to the back of vehicle permitting raising and lowering thereof and includes jet drives providing propulsion for water operation.

Abstract: Self-tensioning load-equalizing mooring systems and methods (of mooring a ship) that employ at least one mooring line and at least one counter-weight.

Abstract: Propulsion systems for marine vessels comprise an internal combustion engine rotating a driveshaft; an electric motor; a transmission selectively connecting the rotating driveshaft to a propulsor via a rotating gear; and a control circuit controlling the electric motor to slow rotation of the driveshaft and gear when a shift into the gear is requested.

Abstract: A self-supporting rotary rigging and, more specifically, a rigging that has a circular platform adjacent to the deck of the vessel, which makes it possible to control the rotation of the rigging and to install rotary stays and shrouds, which assists in stabilizing the rigging. The rigging is characterized by the existence of a small common boom securely joined to the base platform and to which are fastened the backstay and forestay, all the aforesaid making the rigging very secure and enabling the backstay and forestay to be capable of downward movement. There is a base crosstree, likewise securely connected to the platform, perpendicular to the stays, and to the end thereof are fastened the shrouds, enabling the later to work at a suitable angle. In addition, there is a tunnel across the lower part of the mast, which allows passage from one side of the rigging to the other.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a safety flotation buoy system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a buoy system comprising a designation member and a buoyancy structure coupled to the designation member. The designation member may include a cylindrically shaped flexible rubber region and a lengthwise opening. The opening may be oriented substantially normal to the water surface. The lengthwise orientation of the buoyancy structure may be aligned with the opening of the designation member. The buoyancy structure may be configured to be submerged below the designation member and the water surface so as to enable the formation of an air bubble within an internal region of the designation member.

Abstract: The problem of providing a submerged vehicle with above-the-surface communications to a nearby vessel, shore platform, or satellite while traveling at operating speed is solved by an efficiently deployable tethered tow body having a hydrodynamic and buoyant hull body and incorporating a lift-generating wing that provides hydrodynamic lift to efficiently lift the tow body containing antennas and other communications devices to the surface. The tow body allows for stable operation during underwater tow, surface tow, and transitions between underwater tow and surface tow. Disclosed embodiments include communications apparatuses encompassing the principles of the tethered tow body, as well as various underwater systems that incorporate a tethered tow body or communications apparatus for establishing communications with a nearby vessel, shore platform, or satellite.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for locking and unlocking an extendable column to a deck. A deck-to-column connection assembly includes a pawl and shim used in a sequential de-ballasting and ballasting of the column to the deck that can easily lock and unlock the column with the deck. Generally, the locking method includes ballasting the column to insert a pawl between the column and the deck, de-ballasting the column to raise the column relative to the deck and create a vertical gap between the column and the deck, inserting a shim to fill the gap and secure the pawl in a deployed position, and further de-ballasting the column to raise the deck connected to the column. Generally, the unlocking method lowering the deck to float on water, de-ballasting the column to remove compressive stress on the shim, removing the shim, ballasting the column, and retracting the pawl.

Abstract: An apparatus that attaches to a small boat designed to stabilize a first end of the boat against the wind while a trolling motor stabilizes a second end is herein disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a clamp that attaches it to the side of the hull and a moveable shaft that holds a large piece of plastic which is partially submerged under the water. The apparatus is positioned such that it is perpendicular to the direction in which the wind is blowing. As such, as wind pushes against the side of the boat, resistance will be offered by the device as the wind must push it against the water as well. It can be quickly raised and lowered as required by the needs of the boat occupants. These features provide in effect, an “anchor” which stabilizes the boat against the wind.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tie bar. The tie bar has a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes an end portion configured to connect to a propulsion unit, a first tube that extends from the end portion and a threaded member operatively connected to the end portion and disposed within and at least partially extending along the first tube. The second subassembly includes an end portion configured to connect to a further propulsion unit and a second tube that extends from the end portion of the second subassembly. The second subassembly is configured to threadably engage with the threaded member. The distance of separation between the end portions is selectively adjustable thereby.

Abstract: A protective cover for a mooring buoy utilizes a plurality of interconnected buoyant chambers, connected in series and separated by flexible spacers. A plurality of ballast filled chambers are located adjacent to and extend beneath the buoyant chambers. The ends of the cover are configured to be connected by snaps or equivalent attachment devices, to form a circular enclosure. A guide ring is connected to one of the buoyant chambers to allow the cover to be slid from the moored vessel, along mooring lines, and then over the buoy, such that the buoyant chambers remain at the waterline. The deployed cover thus provides protection from impact with the hull of the vessel by the buoy. A retrieval line is provided to withdraw the cover from the buoy and return it to the vessel when the vessel is departing the mooring. Included as well is the method of deploying the protective cover from a moored vessel onto a buoy.

Abstract: A watercraft hull includes a lower portion, an upper portion, and a strake positioned between the lower portion and the upper portion. The lower portion may include a bow portion having a v-shape defined by a keel and sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom to the strake and an aft portion having a tunnel formed therein. The aft portion may be defined by a pair of opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the strake to a bottom portion. The tunnel may be defined by a pair of opposing tunnel sidewalls that extend upwardly from the bottom portion to a tunnel top having a center rib. The lower portion may also include a medial portion that transitions the bow portion to the aft portion. The medial portion may have a vacuum chamber extending between and transitioning the keel of the bow portion to the tunnel formed in the aft portion.