Abstract: A catamaran boat having hollow mast and hulls is provided with a system comprising a manually operable pneumatic pump and flexible conduits communicating between the pump and the interiors of the hollow mast and hulls, whereby the interiors can be pressurized to drive water therefrom through an ejection device provided with check valves. The removal of water not only lightens the weight of the boat for securement of greater speed, but enables the boat to be righted if capsized in a turtle position.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining the same total buoyancy of a scuba diver at all depths including means for re-setting total buoyancy and for maintaining the new buoyancy automatically. This apparatus includes a flexible air vest and an air valve system, with the air valve system being adjustable, by means of a knob, to compensation for different wetsuits, and having a failsafe feature.

Abstract: A fastening system for interconnecting a row of marine floats while allowing relative movement of the floats resulting from wave action. One or more chains, cables or other securing lines extend through the floats from one end of the row to the other. The securing lines pass through recesses formed in adjacent end walls of the floats. A resilient member having a central bore is inserted into the recesses with the securing line passing through the bore. The resilient member absorbs longitudinal forces imparted to the floats. It also restricts transverse vertical and horizontal movement of the floats with respect to each other while allowing pivotal movement of the floats. A metal tube preferably lines the bore to prevent the securing line from abrading the resilient member and to increase the shear strength of the resilient member. The recesses may also be lined with a frame, and the frames of two or more recesses in a given end wall may be interconnected for additional strength.

Abstract: A rudder assembly for a sailing craft comprising a housing adapted to be pivotally mounted on the stern of the craft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, and a rudder pivotally mounted in said housing for rotation about a substantially horizontal transverse axis, means for holding the rudder in a downwardly projecting position and a rearwardly projecting position, said means comprising a roller urged into engagement with one of a plurality of indentations provided on said rudder.

Abstract: A watercraft for use by an individual, for fishing, general recreational or other purposes is disclosed. The craft is formed from a pair of elongate pontoon-type floats and a detachable frame interconnecting the floats in laterally spaced relationship. The frame includes an elevated swivel seat positioned so that an occupant can rest his feet on one of the frame cross bars. This cross bar conveniently forms a mounting for a trolling motor so that the motor controls come readily to the occupant's hands. A particular form of attachment means is also disclosed for releasably connecting the frame to the floats.

Abstract: A water ski formed of molded upper and lower shells made of sheet molding compound which have mating and overlapping flanges around the entire perimeter of the shells which are bonded together to form a buoyancy chamber. In one embodiment, the chamber is filled with polymerized foam and in another embodiment longitudinally extending ribs are formed to maintain the upper and lower surfaces of the shells in spaced relationship to each other.

Abstract: The present swimming shoe is intended for use in connection with breast stroke swimming as opposed to other types of swim strokes. For this purpose the body of the present swimming shoe has a cavity for receiving a swimmer's foot and a bottom or sole as well as a shoe upper. Two thrust or propulsion flaps or flippers are hinged to the shoe body in such a manner that a pulling movement of the swimmer's legs substantially reduces the surface area of the swimming shoe, whereas a thrust or propulsion movement of the swimmer's legs increases the "thrust surface area" in an optimal manner. To this end one propulsion flap is hinged to a longitudinal edge of the sole whereas another propulsion flap is hinged to the longitudinal side of the shoe upper, preferably diagonally opposite the first flap or flipper.

Abstract: An electrical control system for a pair of stern drives (or outboard motors) mounted side-by-side on a boat transom and mechanically linked to tilt them within a trim range to improve operational performance or to tilt them above the trim range to facilitate shallow water navigation, launching or trailing, comprises: a key-operated main switch; three manually operable toggle type (off, up, down) selector switches, namely, a trailer switch, a starboard trim switch, and a port trim switch; and other circuit components. With the main switch off (as when launching or trailing), trailer switch "up" or "down" effects corresponding tilt of both drives simultaneously to a desired position regardless of their initial position and the trim switches are ineffective.

Abstract: A combined propulsion and support device for use by a swimmer when the device is in a first operating position, but with the device being quickly and easily transformed to a second position in which it is more compact and occupies a minimum of space when in storage or being transported. The device has a further operational advantage that the resilient pair of fins that form a part thereof are fully protected from damage when the device is in the second position.

Abstract: A submarine's mast and its protective closure are prevented from inadvertly damaging each other while deploying or retrieving the mast and while securing the closure. Interconnected logic circuitry electronically prevents an improper actuation sequence so that the mast and closure do not collide. Mechanical linkages and fail-safes susceptible to corrosion and damage are eliminated thereby permitting more reliable operation from circuitry safely stowed inside the submarine.

Abstract: In order to improve the efficiency and reliability of the cutter units employed in large scale ice disaggregation systems, a cutter configuration is employed characterized by an outwardly extending arm which sweeps rearwardly from the direction of travel to provide clearance for ice chunks and then sharpwardly forwardly to terminate in an ice-engaging portion. The ice-engaging portion includes a relatively long and narrow central "pick" portion for breaking very cold ice, chisel-like cutting edges directed to each side of the base of the "pick" portion to fracture cold ice as well as warm ice, and an inverted skate portion which cleaves the ice and promotes passage of the ice chunks around the tooth structure to facilitate clearing.

Abstract: A spinnaker pole arrangement for a sailing vessel is disclosed, (particularly a sailing vessel having a free standing mast) in which a vertical post is mounted ahead of and spaced forward of a mast in the vessel and on top of this post a swivel fitting is included which holds a spinnaker pole. The spinnaker pole may be extended and withdrawn and adjusted through the swivel fitting, and at the end of the pole means are provided to receive spinnaker sheets and/or guys together with fastener means to attach the tack and clew of the spinnaker thereto, the head of the spinnaker being hoisted to the top of the mast by a suitable halyard.

Abstract: An accessory mountable on a fishing rod, rifle or the like, for aiding to retrieve the same, if dropped into deep water; the device including, generally, a canister containing a line wound up around a spool, one end of the line attached to the spool, and the other end of the line being attached to an exterior float, adhered by a water-soluble adhesive to the canister, and a bracket, or other means, for securing the canister to the sportsman's equipment.

Abstract: Thick floatation pads for securement within the walls of floatation garments, such as life-saving vests and the like, are formed of stacks of aligned, relatively thin, flexible, resilient, foamed plastic sheets which are secured together along at least one edge. The sheets are substantially free of securement, one to another, between their edges. Thus, the sheets may relatively flex, move and bulge relative to each other for closely and comfortably conforming to the shape of the wearer's body and for tending to maintain maximum floatation volume at all times.

Abstract: A convertible panel system is disclosed that permits conversion of a fishing vessel for different types of fishing and for different stages of fishing of a given type. In the ramp-forming setting of horizontally interconnected panels, a gear-hauling ramp is formed accessible though an opening in the hull and overlying bulwark. Normally in position to cover the reentrancy in hull and deck, the convertible panel system includes a multiple part deck-forming panel that is folded into stowed position beneath the downwardly swing bulwark panel functioning to provide the ramp surface.

Abstract: The sailing vessel of the present invention includes a hull of omnidirectional construction, and a generally triangular sail which is supported along two side edges, with the third side edge unsupported and extending generally horizontally. The angular position of the sail with respect to the hull is fixed, and the heading of the boat is varied in order to orient the sail at the desired angle with respect to the wind. A pivotally mounted centerboard controls the direction or heading of the boat and control lines are provided for altering the shape of the sail to further control the direction and speed of sailing.