Abstract: A life saving disc adapted to be thrown with considerable accuracy to a person in distress. The disc is provided with peripherally arranged flanges for retaining a length of line as well as floatation rendering the disc buoyant in water. In use, line is retained by the user at one end, such that when the disc is thrown to a person in distress, the line is dispensed from the disc. The person in distress grasping the disc, can then be pulled to safety.

Abstract: An anchoring device, for use with a personal watercraft, having a tube containing layers of material including cement and a heavier material, preferably shot, used in a ratio which produces a predetermined weight. The tube is sealed with end caps. A shock absorber is positioned within the tube preferably between one of the end caps and the cement. One end cap has a fastener by which the anchoring device can be fastened to the personal watercraft. The tube and end caps are coated with a moisture and abrasion resistant material.

Abstract: A high speed ship is disclosed which includes a hull structure having a bow portion and a stern portion with the hull being normally supported above the surface of the water when in operation. A forward strut depend from the bow portion of the hull structure and is subtended by a first transverse displacement foil. A set of midship dual struts depend from the hull structure aft of the forward strut; the aft dual struts are subtended by a second transverse displacement foil extending laterally between and connected to each of said struts. The second transverse displacement foil has a beam equal to or greater than its length and provides 70% or more of the major buoyancy for the ship during operation to maintain the hull above the surface of the water during operation. The forward foil provides less than 30% of the buoyancy of the vessel and has a beam less than the spacing between the aft struts.

Abstract: An aquatic platform such as a swimming raft is equipped with an anti-roosting system comprised of a series of opaque panels which can be moved to a raised position blocking outward viewing of fowl alighting on the surface of the platform and deterring roosting thereon. The panels are released to be moved to a stowed position below the platform surface when the platform is in use.

Abstract: A system for deploying life rafts from ships, wherein the life rafts are of the inflatable type and where there are stocking-like bodies for transfer of personnel from the ship to at least one of the life rafts. The life rafts are arranged in groups which are loosely connected with a common bottom frame, and where each group includes a reception raft and several evacuation rafts detachably connected with the reception raft. The bottom frame is suspended from at least one winch wire arranged from a support frame which can be moved from a parked position inside the ship's side to an operative position outside the ship's side. When the support frame is in an operative position, the bottom frame can be lowered into the water by means of the winch. The winch wires pass through sliding guides in the bottom of the reception raft and sliding guides in a known per se rescue stocking which is stretched between the support frame and the reception raft.

Abstract: One or more helm stations are provided to remotely control the engine, transmission and steering functions of a boat or ship. Multiple station remote helms, either portable or stationary, include electric switches that, when closed, energize solenoids and relays to control single or multiple engine throttles, transmissions, ignition, starting, stopping and steering functions of a boat or ship. These switch groups are placed in any location on the vessel or may be mounted on a hand held portable unit which is plugged into various locations where matching receptacles are placed. The throttle, transmission shifting and steering movement is provided by hydraulic cylinders, with fluid pressure supplied by electrically powered hydraulic pumps. The fluid supply to these cylinders is controlled by electric solenoid operated valves, which in turn are activated by the electric helm switches.

Abstract: A powered boom assembly for water skiing, particularly for barefoot skiing, allows boat personnel to activate a switch to automatically change the position of the boom while the boat is operating and while the skier is using the boom. The assembly includes a powered linear actuator which is attached by a bracket to the pylon of the motor boat. A fitting on the actuator is used to mount the boom, the fitting may also be attached to the pylon, so that the fitting and boom move up and down when the actuator is activated by the switch. A bracket securely attaches the actuator to the boom.

Abstract: A watercraft has floats supporting a bicycle-type frame having handlebars connected to a rudder to steer the watercraft. Side boards located on opposite sides of the frame are mounted on cross bars which support the frame on the floats. A chain and sprocket foot operated drive is connected to a shaft journaled to a housing accommodating a power transmission for rotating a propeller. A chain guard is located on opposite sides of the chain connecting the shaft and foot operated drive. The housing is movable between a down location wherein the chain is retained in a tension condition to an up location wherein the chain is in a loose condition.

Abstract: In trolling assembly for slowing the speed of a boat through the water during trolling operations including a trolling plate which can be positioned in the water behind the boat during trolling operations, the improvement comprising a tailpiece substantially traversing the trolling plate in a vertical direction and extending rearwardly therefrom directionally controlling the boat when the assembly is positioned in the water behind the boat. Preferably, the trolling plate is pivotal about a horizontal axis so that it can be raised and lowered from and into the water, and the tailpiece traverses a central opening in the trolling plate so that the tailpiece can divert water flowing through the opening when the boat is turned in either direction.

Abstract: A mooring system comprises a sheave (12) adapted to be mounted to a base (11) which is located on the sea bed. In one embodiment, a cable (13) received in the sheave (12) is connected at one end to a first buoyant member (15) and is connected at its other end to a second buoyant member (23). The buoyancy of the second buoyant member (23) is less than that of the first buoyant member (15). Mooring energy caused by movement of a vessel moored to the second buoyant member is absorbed by the combination of a resistance to movement of the second buoyant member (23) as it is pulled away from a vertical position adjacent the cable (13) and the buoyancy of the first buoyant member (15) as it is pulled downwards by the cable (13) towards the sheave (12).

Abstract: A mountable, towable water craft has a single-chambered, inflatable body. The inflatable body includes a full and an upper surface attached to the hull. The hull has a bulge for increasing low speed planing. The upper surface has an aft portion that forms two longitudinal and substantially parallel wells. A cowling is attached to the upper of surface of the inflatable body. The cowling includes reinforceably attached handles, and the inflatable body includes reinforceably attached rope connectors. The vehicle also includes an optional tear-resistant fabric shell.

Abstract: An outboard motor having a high-performance V-type twin overhead cam four-cycle internal combustion engine. The oil reservoir for the engine is disposed in a driveshaft housing below the engine and an oil pump is driven off the lower end of the engine crankshaft for circulating the oil from the oil tank to the engine. The oil supply system for the engine includes a vertically extending main gallery and a drain passage which extend in parallel side-by-side relationship and which are disposed over the oil tank for ease of oil return. The exhaust and cooling system for the engine is configured so as to minimize heat transfer between the exhaust system and the lubricating system and to maintain a compact assembly.

Abstract: A propulsion apparatus for coupling to the stern of a boat is provided having at least one afterplane attached to the stern. At least one motor is positioned onto each corresponding afterplane, where each motor has a propeller positioned above the top surface of the afterplane, such that the propeller does not extend substantially beyond the peripheral boundaries of the afterplane to protect the propeller. Each afterplane may be pivotally raised or lowered so that during operation of the motor, the axis of the propellers are parallel with the plane of the water for propelling the boat. The afterplanes may also be pivotally raised or lowered for planing the boat.

Abstract: An inlet adapter for a personal watercraft jet propulsion system is hydrodynamically designed to achieve optimum performance at both low and high watercraft speeds. The inlet adapter provides an inlet opening having a fixed geometry. A plurality of tines extend from the inlet adapter rearward to cover an inlet opening through which water is pumped to a jet propulsion system. The aft portion of each tine has an exposed face that is blunt, preferably flat. The blunt face restricts water flow through the inlet opening at relatively high speeds, thereby improving high speed performance. The tines are also designed to facilitate laminar flow as the flow of water passes the tines en route to the jet propulsion system. In another aspect, the invention provides a hydrodynamic bulge downstream of the downstream edge of the inlet opening.

Abstract: A personal watercraft exhaust system, hull underplate, and speed sensor and sponson arrangement. The exhaust system for the engine provides a compact assembly that incorporates a pair of expansion chamber devices on opposite sides of the tunnel to provide a water-trap effect, effective silencing, and still clear storage compartments of the hull. The sponsons are configured so as to improve the buoyancy and provide stability upon leaning, and the underplate mounts a speed sensor to the rear of but below the jet propulsion unit discharge so as to provide a good speed signal and to protect the speed sensor.

Abstract: A mooring apparatus having an elongated tubular housing wherein the housing is adapted for positioning between a boat and a dock while providing positive control in two directions. A pin for fixing an elongated helical spring within the housing is disposed adjacent the dock engaging end thereof. An end cap, including a pair of spaced apart cable guiding apertures, is provided at the dock end of the housing. A cable, for engagement of a dock stanchion or piling, is looped through the end cap apertures and around the pin for slideable movement thereabout. A second cable, looped through a pair of guiding apertures in an end cap at the boat end of the housing, engages the elongated spring at the end opposite the fixed end, the second cable being adapted for attachment to a boat cleat. Bumpers, fixed at each end of the elongated housing help pad points of contact between boat, dock and apparatus, thereby substantially reducing shock to the inner housing of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a semi-submerged catamaran comprising at least two submerged bodies, struts mounted in a standing position on respective submerged bodies and a hull part supported by the struts above the water surface, motion preventing fins are fixed in a submerged part on the bow side and/or in a submerged part on the stern side of the catamaran.

Abstract: A hoisting mechanism attached to the transom of pleasurecraft is provided which raises and lowers a platform to hoist personal watercraft, such as a water jet propelled personal watercraft, into and out of the water with a minimal amount of apparatus externally of the transom.

Abstract: A floating headrest is formed of a unitary member of expanded plastic such as polyethylene. The headrest includes two raised end sections, between which, the rider's head lays. The headrest includes a cylindrical hole bored from the forward surface to the rear surface to allow the insertion of other tubular flotation devices. The headrest is designed such that the center of buoyancy of the combined headrest, said tubular flotation device, and rider is significantly below the surface of the water, leaving the rider's head out of the water.

Abstract: A sea anchor may be lifted from the sea bottom by remotely inflating an inflatable float connected to the anchor. The inflated float provides a buoyant lift force that automatically lifts the anchor to the water surface or assists a person in lifting the anchor to the surface. The anchor may be lowered to the sea bottom by venting air out of the float from a remote point on the water surface.