Abstract: A pedestal made of inner and outer tubes with a pair of bearings carried by the inner tube and carrying the outer tube. The inner tube has elongated slots extending downwardly from the top end thereof with the top bearing having projections extending through these slots and into the inner tube. A spring shock absorber is connected at its lower end to the lower end of the inner tube and at its upper end to the projections on the top bearing. A pin releasably connects the outer tube to the top bearing for unitary movement.

Abstract: A boat guide for use in guiding a boat into or out of a boat slip has an elongated upright tubular member with upper and lower end caps, each end cap having a central opening therethrough. An axle is received coaxially within the tubular member and extends through the openings in the end caps, the axle being of external diameter less than the interior diameter of the tubular member providing an annular space between the axle and the tubular member so that the tubular member can deflect relative to the axle to absorb the shock of a boat impact. An upper attachment above the upper end cap and a lower attachment below the lower end cap provide vertical support for the axle, the tubular member and end caps being rotatable relative to the upper and lower attachments.

Abstract: A method of conversion of a single hull vessel to a double hull vessel is provided and has at least the steps of:(a) positioning a section of a second hull shell beneath a first hull of a vessel;(b) raising the section of second hull shell to locate it adjacent the first hull; and(c) attaching the section of second hull shell to the first hull.In a preferred method, the second hull shell is positioned in relation to the first hull by male and female locating members disposed on adjacent portions of the first and second hulls. The method is carried out in a dry dock or, alternatively, using a ship-lifting system. The second hull has side and end sections formed of substantially hollow steel blocks, and the bottom section has transverse ribs for additional strength. Thus, a double hull vessel of the present invention has substantially the same interior capacity as the single hull vessel before the conversion.

Abstract: A modular, gas-driven power distribution system includes a gasoline-operated module delivering power to a connector having a rotatable element enabling a plurality of mechanical devices to be detachably coupled to the connector to receive power through the rotatable element. The plurality of connectable devices includes a powered oar adapted for nautical purposes. The oar preferably comprises a shaft having a proximal end adapted for detachable coupling to the connector forming part of the gasoline-operated module, and a distal end transitioning into a paddle shape terminating in a rotating prop. A rotatable axle is disposed centrally within the shaft, the axle having a proximal end adapted for detachable coupling to the rotatable element to deliver power to the rotating prop.

Abstract: A yacht (10) includes a mast (12) that is mechanically connected to a keel (14) via a bearing (16), located in the base of hull (18) of the yacht (10). A sail foil (30) is pivotally mounted to the top of the mast (12) via a rotating bearing (34). In use, as the wind forces the sail foil (30) and mast (12) to leeward, a corresponding movement to windward is induced in the keel (14) and thus the yacht's hull (18) can remain substantially horizontal with respect to surrounding flat water.

Abstract: An improved and simplified anchor line shock absorber to protect an anchor line, the hoisting or lifting device gearing and motor attached thereto, from excessive shock forces. A tubular member, having a compression spring and located vertically, is arranged to fit within (a prior art) an anchor (shell) to absorb the shock forces. A (prior art) lifting line is attached to the terminal end of the spring assembly located within (the) an anchor. (shell.) This arrangement provides for free retrieval of the lifting line through and around guides, fair-leads, spools and drums when retrieved (by mechanical means.) mechanically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effectively steering/controlling a towable inflatable watercraft utilizing a pulley steer steering system. The present invention allows a person/persons the convenience of being able to effectively control the direction of an inflatable watercraft. Any inflatable watercraft which utilizes the pulley steer steering system will be able to travel back and forth across the wake of a towing watercraft in a manner comparable to that of a jet ski. The advantage of this invention being that those who can't afford a jet ski or who are no longer permitted to operate a jet ski (due to recent legal restrictions) can experience the same thrill of travelling/jumping across a wake as a jet ski provides. This effect can not be provided in existing inflatables without damage being inflicted on the craft. This invention incorporates the use of the pulley steer steering system, whereby; a rope is safely housed within a hose which protects the watercraft from damage from the rope.

Abstract: A floating runway is provided for use at sea having a horizontal, top surface whereupon aircraft may operate during landing and take-off. A number of floating, releasably interconnected supporting section are connected to a number of bridge sections mounted alternately and consecutively in a longitudinal direction of the runway. The number of supporting sections and the number of bridge sections include ends, as viewed in the logitudinal direction of the runway having respective abutment portions adapted for mutual abutment for interconnection of the section. The abutment portions including cantilevered beam portions projecting away from mid portions of the respective sections as reviewed in the longitudinal direction thereof. The beam portions of the bridge sections include a lower surface and an upper surface of the beam portions of the supporting sections arranged the same distance from the top surface.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an outboard motor which is provided with a water-cooled engine in a vertical alignment in which a crank shaft is vertically disposed, the engine being composed of a cylinder block, a cylinder head and an exhaust manifold into which water jackets are formed respectively and the water jackets are supplied with cooling water from a water pump disposed below the engine in a state mounted to a hull, the cooling apparatus comprising a cylinder cooling-water passage for supplying cooling water from the water pump to the water jackets of the cylinder block and said cylinder head, an exhaust cooling-water passage for supplying cooling water from the water pump to the water jacket of the exhaust manifold, the cylinder cooling-water passage and the exhaust cooling-water passage being independently disposed from each other and being joined together at downstream portions thereof, a thermostat provided for the water jacket of the cylinder block and a sensor for detecting a temperature of a cylinder

Abstract: A ship propulsion unit includes a propeller pod (14) provided with a propulsion propeller (15) and a turnable shaft (2) attached to the propulsion pod. The turnable shaft is journalled in the hull (1) of the ship by a rotation bearing (4) mounted in the hull and a rotation mechanism (3) mounted in the hull is coupled to the turnable shaft for turning the shaft. A seal (5) is provided in an annular space (9) between the turnable shaft and the hull for protecting the rotation bearing and the rotation mechanism. The propulsion unit is releasably attached to the hull by an attachment mechanism (6) which holds the propulsion unit in an operative position relative to the hull. A support arrangement (7, 8; 11, 12, 13) supports the propulsion unit at a position below its operative position when the attachment mechanism is released.

Abstract: An electrical system is disclosed for a watercraft powered by an outboard motor with an internal combustion engine having a block defining a crankcase at one side and having a cylinder head generally positioned on an opposite side thereof, the engine oriented such that an output shaft thereof extends vertically. The electrical system includes a starter and generator mounted generally alongside the crankcase of the engine and between the ends thereof, the generator driven by a flexible belt extending in engagement with the output shaft, and the starter motor positioned for engagement with a flywheel positioned on the output shaft of the engine.

Abstract: A collapsible personal watercraft canopy which when extended, provides protection from the weather and support for the watercraft occupants, and also provides lift when the watercraft is in motion, reducing water resistance and which when closed is folded forward and stored on the forward upper hull surface of the watercraft, thus providing protection from sea spray while remaining attractive.

Abstract: A support structure for a flexible boat cover includes an extensible bar supported entirely by at least one cord extending therefrom to cleats located at the bow and stern of the boat. This invention provides multiple supports spaced laterally from the centerline of the boat without any additional hardware. The cord preferably elastic, may extend over the top of the windshield to provide an inclined support structure to prevent collection of water in the boat cover. The bar is extensible to accommodate boats of various widths and to reduce its length for storage when not in use. Additionally, the bar can be supported by posts underneath to support ice and snow in colder climates during the winter.

Abstract: A debris shedding buoy having a float body with a top and a bottom is provided. The buoy includes a slide rail, adapted for slidable engagement to a mooring line, is attached to the bottom of the float body. The slide rail is located in a generally centered position beneath the float body and is oriented in a first direction. A rudder device is affixed to the float body and adapted to produce a stabilizing force to maintain the float body in a quasi stable orientation with respect to a current direction, with the first direction being generally aligned to the current direction. Debris lodging against the float body overcomes the stabilizing force produced by the rudder device, causing the float body to rotate from the quasi stable orientation to a second orientation to shed the debris whereupon the float body rotates back to the quasi stable orientation.

Abstract: A device designed to enable a sailor to move easily fore and aft and side-to-side about a watercraft. The device includes separate port and starboard bench units that are pivotally coupled to the watercraft and are movingly coupled to outboard rail systems extending fore and aft along the port and starboard gunwales of the watercraft. Additional rail systems incorporated into the bench units allow side-to-side movement. The bench units is designed and coupled to the rail systems and pivot points such that the sailor can remain on the bench unit and pivotally move it fore and aft, or slidingly move side-to-side by pushing his or her feet on the underlying substrate above which the sailor sits. The bench unit is preferably designed to permit the sailor to straddle it. The seat portions of the bench units are extendable beyond the outer edge of the watercraft. A handrail affixed to the bench enhances stability for the sailor.

Abstract: This aquatic sporting device can be used by paddlers of water crafts or boats to paddle their craft or alternately use their paddles as quick-action squirt guns or water cannons with high range and high water exchange rate. The ridged paddle is transformed into a squirt gun by hand turning a nut on the paddle shaft to free the movement of a piston within the paddle shaft, inserting the bottom end of the paddle into the water and then pulling on the paddle handle to draw a central piston several feet out of the outer paddle shaft thereby creating a suction which draws water into the paddle shaft through a nozzle at the bottom end of the paddle blade. The paddle is lifted out of the water and pointed toward the target then the handle is pushed causing the piston to forcefully squirt the water, within the paddle shafts' water chamber, out of the nozzle. The squirt gun can be switched back to paddle mode by pushing the piston back into the outer shaft and re-tightening the central nut.

Abstract: A floatable lounger includes a first buoyancy means; second buoyancy means spaced from said first buoyancy means; first and second extending means; and headrest rotatable about said first extending means between a first stored position and a second operable position. The floatable lounger provides for a simpler construction for a floating lounger with excellent buoyancy.

Abstract: In a dual-hull watercraft, a separate keel hull and sail hull are connected by a tie line. The sail hull comprises a sail and hull without a keel. The keel hull comprises a keel and hull or a submerged keel. The flexible tie line is coupled to the keel at or near the keel center of effort and is coupled to the sail at or near the center of sail effort. During operation, the sail and keel are configured to "toe in" relative to each other, maintaining tension in the tie line allowing the sail and keel to provide for the other's drag. The tie line allows for directional steering of the craft without a rudder, and for controlling the speed of the craft and the heel angles of the sail and keel hulls. Two gliders similarly connected can exploit wind velocity differences and are operable without updrafts.

Abstract: An item of manufacture to cover the bow of a boat to provide additional stowage space and protection from oncoming and overhead elements having a main body (11) of a rigid material with side portions rising from both sides of the outer edges of the bow, and a top portion spanning the side portions. Latch hasps (25) are mounted to the bottom edge of the main body near the front and back area on both sides. "U" channels (21) of a rigid material, with a channel width to accept the bottom edge of the main body are mounted to the outer edges of the bow using screws. On the outside edges of the channels, latch nubs (27) are mounted near the front and rear, positioned to couple with the latch hasps mounted on the main body. Seals (23) of a flexible material are inserted into the channels. The main body is attached to the bow by seating the bottom edges of the main body into the channels with the latch hasps and nubs aligned, and coupling or latching the latches.

Abstract: The base piece of a hood assembly for a personal water-craft mounts the components of an audio system in a watertight environment while, at the same time, affording ready access to its operating and functional features.