Abstract: A hydrofoil system for a hydrofoil equipped watercraft with cooperating fuselage portion that have tapered sections. The tapered sections are configured to form an overlapping stacked wedge within an inner passageway of a collar so that the collar frictionally engages the stacked tapered sections when the first fuselage portion and the second fuselage portion are drawn together longitudinally.

Abstract: A hydrofoil watercraft has propulsion system integrated with the hull that engages the water when the watercraft is in a displacement mode. The propulsion system is disengaged from the water when the hull is in foiling mode. The propulsion system may automatically deactivate when the watercraft transitions from the displacement mode to the foiling mode.

Abstract: A hydrofoil for use with watercraft may have at least one padded component. The padding material may be applied to at least a portion of the component. The padding material has increased resiliency compared to a structural material of the component. The component may be a mast, a fuselage or a wing for example.

Abstract: A hydrofoil watercraft has propulsion system integrated with the hull that engages the water when the watercraft is in a displacement mode. The propulsion system is disengaged from the water when the hull is in foiling mode. The propulsion system may automatically deactivate when the watercraft transitions from the displacement mode to the foiling mode.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to laminated structures and methods of producing such structures having a top sheet with integrated graphics. The top sheet is formed by applying an uncured polymeric resin to a substrate and placing a film having a transferable image on the top sheet. The image sublimates into the top sheet and the film may be removed after the resin is cured. Optionally, a colorant may be added to the uncured polymeric resin to provide a uniform tint or a colorant may be selectively added to the uncured polymeric resin to provide a design in the uncured resin applied to the substrate. In one aspect, the laminated structure is a kite board or a wake board.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety system for use in conjunction with a control bar for a kite wherein the two front lines are secured by a front line swivel positioned between the bar and the kite. One front line terminates at the swivel and one extension of the other front line, the center line, travels through a central aperture in the swivel. The center line is then routed through an aperture on the control bar and terminated with an end that can be secured to the user either manually or by a leash arrangement. The swivel allows any twists that may form in the front lines to unwind. An increased diameter element located proximally of the swivel is configured to engage the center swivel, but is configured to pass through the aperture on the control bar. When the bar is released, sufficient slack is imparted into the remaining flying lines to effectively depower the kite while retaining attachment to the kite through the restrained front line.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety system for use in conjunction with a control bar for a kite wherein the two front lines are secured by a front line swivel positioned between the bar and the kite. One front line terminates at the swivel and one extension of the other front line, the center line, travels through a central aperture in the swivel. The center line is then routed through an aperture on the control bar and terminated with an end that can be secured to the user either manually or by a leash arrangement. The swivel allows any twists that may form in the front lines to unwind. An increased diameter element located proximally of the swivel is configured to engage the center swivel, but is configured to pass through the aperture on the control bar. When the bar is released, sufficient slack is imparted into the remaining flying lines to effectively depower the kite while retaining attachment to the kite through the restrained front line.

Abstract: A kite control system including an aerodynamic wing with a leading edge and first and second opposing wingtips, a control device, a first steering line secured to the first wingtip and the control device, a second steering line secured to the second wingtip and the control device, and a trim line secured to the leading edge substantially between the opposing wingtips, wherein the trim line has a user adjustable length device that allows the user to adjust and mechanically fix the length of the trim line while the aerodynamic wing is in flight.

Abstract: A control device for use with an aerodynamic wing including a bar having a fixed trim adjustment located between the bar and the user. The invention also includes a stopper that permits the user to quickly adjust the range of available dynamic trim. Preferably, the stopper does not lock until it engages the control bar, allowing the user to slide it quickly and easily to the desired location. The control systems of the invention provide a safety depower function when the end of the fixed trim is secured to a safety line.

Abstract: A kite control system including an aerodynamic wing with a leading edge and first and second opposing wingtips, a control device, a first steering line secured to the first wingtip and the control device, a second steering line secured to the second wingtip and the control device, and a trim line secured to the leading edge substantially between the opposing wingtips, wherein the trim line has a user adjustable length device that allows the user to adjust and mechanically fix the length of the trim line while the aerodynamic wing is in flight.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wing with a leading edge inflatable strut and at least one inflatable rib strut, wherein the struts are provided with a connection air pathway that allows the leading edge strut to act as a manifold for the inflation of the connected rib struts. Preferably, the connection air pathway is provided with a valve mechanism for selectively isolating the connected rib strut from the leading edge strut.

Abstract: A control device for use with an aerodynamic wing including a bar having a fixed trim adjustment located between the bar and the user. The invention also includes a stopper that permits the user to quickly adjust the range of available dynamic trim. Preferably, the stopper does not lock until it engages the control bar, allowing the user to slide it quickly and easily to the desired location. The control systems of the invention provide a safety depower function when the end of the fixed trim is secured to a safety line.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wing formed by a flexible canopy with an internally routed canopy line for controlling the canopy profile. Preferably, the canopy line is routed through a gatherable tube secured to the trailing edge of the canopy. Tensioning the canopy line alters the canopy profile to facilitate launching the kite.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wing formed by a flexible canopy with integrated inflatable, elastically deformable members integrated into the lifting surface. Preferably, the elastically deformable member extends and contracts the lifting surface depending on forces experienced by the wing. In one embodiment, the wing comprises an inflatable leading edge kite.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wing formed by a flexible canopy with an internally routed canopy line for controlling the canopy profile. Preferably, the canopy line is routed through a gatherable tube secured to the trailing edge of the canopy. Tensioning the canopy line alters the canopy profile to facilitate launching the kite.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wing formed by a flexible canopy with integrated inflatable, elastically deformable members integrated into the lifting surface. Preferably, the elastically deformable member extends and contracts the lifting surface depending on forces experienced by the wing. In one embodiment, the wing comprises an inflatable leading edge kite.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wing with a leading edge inflatable strut and at least one inflatable rib strut, wherein the struts are provided with a connection air pathway that allows the leading edge strut to act as a manifold for the inflation of the connected rib struts. Preferably, the connection air pathway is provided with a valve mechanism for selectively isolating the connected rib strut from the leading edge strut.