Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a body side section (1) configured of a first composite component (10) and a body lower section (2) configured of a second composite component (20). Each of the first and second composite components (10, 20) comprises a metal plate (11, 21) and a fiber reinforced thermoplastic portion (12, 22) that contains discontinuous fibers. The fiber reinforced thermoplastic portion (12) of the first composite component (10) includes a lining layer formed on the metal plate (11) and reinforcing ribs raised from the lining layer. The fiber reinforced thermoplastic portion (22) of the second composite component (20) includes a planar portion (24) infilled in an opening (23) opened on the metal plate 21. The discontinuous fibers in the fiber reinforced thermoplastic portion (22) of the second composite component (20) are longer than the discontinuous fibers in the fiber reinforced thermoplastic portion (12) of the first composite component (10).

Abstract: Provided is a body side panel including: a hat-like panel member made of a metal; another panel member made of a metal; and a reinforcing member made of a resin. The hat-like panel member includes a cross-sectionally hat-like portion formed of a top portion, edge portions, and intermediate portions coupling the top portion and the edge portions to each other. The cross-sectionally hat-like portion is joined to the other panel member at the edge portions, and forms a closed space cooperatively with the other panel member. The reinforcing member is arranged to be joined to an at least one of the top portion and the intermediate portions in the closed space. The hat-like panel member includes corner parts between the edge portions and the intermediate portions. The other panel member includes corresponding parts which correspond to the corner parts, and a rigidity of the corresponding parts is higher than a rigidity of the corner parts.

Abstract: A central floating device with a plurality of peripheral connection points and tethers. The tethers may be retractable, and are of sufficient length to allow the users some amount of spacing distance from each other. Each individual user thus maintains a separation from each other so as not to interfere with each other in the pool, lake, or body of water while remaining tethered together. The floating device may further include cup-holders, lights, storage compartments, and an anchor.

Abstract: A sled transport apparatus for transporting people and supplies on sand and snow includes a sled body having a bow, a stern, a starboard side, a port side, a bottom, an upper perimeter, and a cavity. A divider wall is coupled to the sled body and extends from the starboard side to the port side and from the bottom to the upper perimeter. The divider wall forms a cooler receptacle within the cavity from the divider wall to the stern that is configured to receive a cooler. A seat bottom is coupled to the sled body adjacent the divider wall and extending from the starboard side to the port side and toward the bow. A towrope is coupled to the sled body.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter pertains to an artificial panel including a spaced apart first wall and second wall. Each of the walls has an inside surface and an outside surface, and at least one fastener location configured at an outside surface of the at least one of the first wall and the second wall of the panel. The fastener location is configured for receiving therethrough a fastener and where one or more ribs extend between the first wall and the second wall, along at least a portion of the panel, the fastener location being indicative of the location thereof.

Abstract: A supporting structure for waterborne photovoltaic power generation is provided. The supporting structure includes at least one floating bracket. The floating bracket includes a floating platform and a plurality of supporting members provided on an upper surface of the floating platform, a ventilation space is provided between at least two adjacent supporting members, whereby the plurality of supporting members is configured to fix a photovoltaic cell panel thereon with a lower surface of the photovoltaic cell panel being separated from the upper surface of the floating platform.

Abstract: A rescue device, comprises a frame and at least one flotation element connected to the frame. The at least one flotation element defines a chamber containing a volume of air and includes at least one vertical load support extending between a first flotation element portion and an opposing second flotation element portion of the flotation element.

Abstract: A hull design configured for use in combination with at least one outboard motor disposed within a motor compartment formed at the stern of the boat to operatively enclose the outboard motor having an air flow system to direct the flow of air to the engine of the outboard motor during operation thereof and an idle exhaust system to direct the flow of exhaust gases from the motor compartment when the engine of the outboard is at idle while permitting the outboard motor to be trimmed or tilted and rotated for directional control of the boat and a directional fluid flow control to channel or direct water flow to the propeller of the outboard motor during operation thereof.

Abstract: A watercraft comprising a bow, a stern, a hull, a transom, and a deck. The transom is located at the stern of the watercraft and the deck extends forward from the transom. One or more cavities are disposed through the deck adjacent to the transom wherein the cavities are each configured to receive an outboard motor. An enclosure is disposed over each of the cavities, providing a means to hide and enclose the outdoor motor. Multiple enclosures can be provided where the watercraft is powered by multiple outboard motors. The top of the enclosure includes a seating surface, providing a sun deck for boaters. The enclosures are hingeably mounted to the deck to provide selective access to the enclosure's respective cavity and motor therein. The interior of the enclosures defines a curved surface to promote air turnover inside the enclosures, optimizing engine performance.

Abstract: A method for preventive maintenance of a boat hull to restore the integrity of a fiberglass boat hull and prevent new water infiltration damage to a boat hull. The wet area repair guidelines using a surface moisture meter. Any balsa cored area reading 15% or above is considered a wet area. Any wood cored area reading 20% or above is considered a wet area. The preventive maintenance steps involve removing all through-hull fittings or hardware. Wet core areas are then dried out using heat lamps, lights or heaters, hot-vac systems, or octopus vacuum with grid system. If necessary, any area not drying out is de-cored and repaired accordingly. After repairs are finished, all through-hull fillings or hardware is reinstalled using new sealant.

Abstract: A reinforced hull for a flat-bottomed boat comprises a bottom panel having longitudinal and lateral braces extending across an upper surface of the bottom panel of the hull. The braces are formed from channel members having outwardly and downwardly sloping legs connected together by a web. The lateral braces have notches formed in and extending upward from bottom edges of the legs with each notch sized to receive a longitudinal brace therein. Lower, outer corners of the bow are reinforced and an engine stand is welded to the brace assembly.

Abstract: A water vessel is provided. The water vessel includes a hull, a deck, and a ramp. The hull has a front end, an aft end, a starboard side, a port side, a bottom, a bow at the front end, and a stern at the aft end. The bow is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The deck is in the region of the bow. The ramp is located between the bottom of the hull and the deck in a retracted position. When the bow is in the open configuration, the ramp is movable to an extended position in which the ramp extends from the front end of the hull.

Abstract: The stabilizing tube assembly extends from the stern of the boat to the bow of the boat, the tube assembly comprising two half sections, each half section comprising a single piece of metal which is bent along a plurality of longitudinal lines for a portion thereof, from an aft end to a selected point along the length of the half-tube, forming a C-shape over said portion. The remainder thereof to the bow end is cut to produce a plurality of individual finger portions which are joined together to form a bow end with the other half-tube section or joined, respectively, to ends of a separate forward section to form a stabilizing tube bow.

Abstract: A deep-drawn, marine hull having a sandwich structure and watercraft utilizing same are provided. The hull includes an outer skin having a waterproof outer surface, an inner skin having a compartment-defining outer surface and a shock absorbing, cellular core positioned between the skins. The skins are bonded to the core by press molding. The cellular core has a 2-D array of cells, each of the cells having an axis substantially perpendicular to the outer surfaces. Thickness of side walls of the hull is substantially uniform to maximize stiffness of the hull. The cells absorb energy of an impact at the outer surface of the outer skin by deformably crushing. Air trapped within cells which are not completely crushed or punctured by the impact provide the hull with buoyancy to allow the hull to float at the surface of a body of water.

Abstract: A method of constructing a marine vessel. The method includes structurally interlaminating a first plurality of components to form a first element of a marine vessel, structurally interlaminating a second plurality of components to form a second element of the marine vessel, and structurally interlaminating at least a first portion of the first element with at least a first portion of the second element to form a first combined element of the marine vessel. Also, a marine vessel. The marine vessel includes a first element including a first plurality of structurally interlaminated components, and a second element including a second plurality of structurally interlaminated components, wherein at least a first portion of the second element is structurally interlaminated with at least a first portion of the first element.

Abstract: A sports board has a hard top shell formed with a top concave shell cavity. The hard top shell has an inside surface. The hard top shell is pervious to light. A top layer of adhesive adheres to the hard top shell. A rigid foam core is formed with a top profile and a bottom profile. The top profile matches and receives the top hard shell. The top layer of adhesive adheres to a top surface of the foam core. A bottom layer of adhesive adheres to a bottom surface of the rigid foam core; and a hard bottom shell is formed with a bottom concave shell cavity. The bottom concave shell cavity is formed to fit to the bottom profile. The hard bottom shell is pervious to light.

Abstract: With the objective of providing a small fiberglass boat that fulfills the criteria of being self-bailing, self-righting and being unsinkable, the boat may include: a hull including a deck at the waterline dividing the boat into a lower portion below the waterline and an upper portion above the waterline and a centerline defining the separation between the starboard side and port side; an additional weight equivalent to approximately forty percent of the weight of the hull located within the lower portion of the hull approximately along the centerline of the hull; a series of scuppers located in the upper portion of the hull; a buoyant element located above the upper portion of the hull; and buoyant material placed within the lower portion of the hull. The deck may further include a partition dividing the deck into two channels.

Abstract: Composite elements have the following layer structure: (i) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, (ii) from 10 to 300 mm of plastic, and (iii) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, where (i) and/or (iii) have an opening which may, if desired, be sealable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight components of hybrid design, also termed hybrid component or hollow-chamber lightweight component, composed of a parent body which is composed of galvanized iron and which is reinforced by means of thermoplastics and is suitable for the transmission of high mechanical loads.

Abstract: An adjustable fin system comprising: a plug assembly, the plug assembly comprising: a plug housing, the plug housing comprising: a closed end; open end; a plug first set-screw hole; a plug second set-screw hole; a cylinder configured to be rotatable within the plug housing, and installable into the plug housing via the open end, the cylinder comprising: a cylinder first set screw hole; a cylinder second set screw hole; a cap configured to generally close the open end of the plug housing and to restrain the cylinder from leaving the plug housing; a fin removably attachable to the cylinder; where when the plug first set-screw hole is aligned with the cylinder first set screw hole, the fin is at a first fin cant; where when the plug second set-screw hole is aligned with the cylinder second set screw hole, the fin is at a second fin cant.

Abstract: A boat capable of having a snowmobile securely mounted on its hull and steerable by the snowmobile's steering mechanism. The boat includes a bow, an aft, a port side, a starboard side, and a mid-ship. The hull of the boat includes a top and a bottom, wherein the bottom of the hull includes under-hull skis with tips and tails, and the bottom of the hull further includes a bow step positioned proximate to the tips of the under-hull skis. The boat also includes: a snowmobile opening including a cutaway of the hull extending into the hull from the aft and disposed halfway between the port and starboard sides; a transom disposed at the aft; and a boat steering mechanism including two boat ski attachment mechanisms on the port and starboard sides of the boat and two snowmobile ski attachment mechanisms on the port and starboard sides.

Abstract: A reinforcement grid for a vessel includes a plurality of spaced-apart, generally vertically extending walls coupled by lateral floor sections and lateral walls which are coupled to stringers, the transom, and the bottom of the vessel hull to strengthen the transom, thereby allowing a greater number of higher horsepower engines to be mounted to the vessel.

Abstract: In one example, a watercraft is provided that includes a body. The body has a hull and a ramp that slopes downwardly toward a back of the hull. Additionally, a reverse chine geometry is incorporated in a portion of the bottom of the hull. Finally, one or more projections extend downward from the bottom of the hull.

Abstract: A tuned transom for a marine vessel comprising a boat hull having a bow and an aft section, a port side and starboard side with a centerline. The transom comprises an outer constraining layer positioned in the aft section enclosing the boat hull, an inner constraining layer which is a separate sheet from the outer constraining layer and positioned in the hull spaced-apart forwardly from the outer constraining layer to form a space between the inner constraining layer and the outer constraining layer, an a constrained damping layer adapted to bond the outer constraining layer to the inner constraining layer; wherein the constrained damping layer comprises an adhesive and means for securing the edges of the outer and the inner constraining layers to the hull.

Abstract: A stabilized watercraft having a pointed bow, a transom and curved sides, and a rigid buoyancy tube which extends from the bow to a point past the transom. The tube has a cross-section which is approximately rectangular, but is generally somewhat wider in a lower portion than in an upper portion thereof over at least an aft portion of the boat. The tube has a dead rise in the range of 0° to +15° with the upper surface of the tube being flared outwardly in the range of 30°-80° at the bow portion of the watercraft and an angle of 60°-80° at the stern portion.

Abstract: A watercraft hull has a hull body defining a bow, a transom, and a longitudinal centerline extending from the bow to the transom along a center of the hull body. The hull body has an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of ribs extends at an angle to the longitudinal centerline on the inner surface.

Abstract: A method of preparing a boat for transportation or storage. The boat preferably has two hulls or pontoons. The two hulls can be removed and placed on the deck of the boat for storage. In addition, the roof of the boat can be lowered such that the boat occupies a minimal amount of space.

Abstract: Specialized cable-concealing fittings and couplings suitable and a fitting system for use in forming cable runs comprising tubular framing and rails wherein the fittings, framing and rails can serve a as a conduit for cable. In particular, the cable concealing fittings are utilized in association with a cable from an electrical device such as a solar panel that is connected to an electrical system of a watercraft, such as sailboat or powerboat. The fittings and system utilizing the fittings serves both protective and aesthetic purposes.

Abstract: Composite elements having the following layer structure: (i) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, plastic or wood, (ii) from 10 to 300 mm of polyisocyanate polyadducts, (iii) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, plastic or wood, the layer (ii) containing prefabricated polyisocyanate polyadducts (x) which are adhesively bonded by polyisocyanate polyadducts (xx) to the layers (i) and (iii), and the polyisocyanate polyadducts (x) being pieces having a volume of from 4 to 1 000 cm3.

Abstract: A boat including a having a first side, a second side, a bottom coupled to the first side and the second side. Each of the first and second sides and bottom can include a plurality of hollow beams welded along seams to form a double hulled boat.

Abstract: A glass fiber reinforced article can be manufactured by: applying a mixture of glass fiber and binder over a mold surface of a first mold section to form a glass fiber matrix, wherein the binder comprises an organic solvent based binder capable of holding the glass fiber in place at room temperature; closing a second mold section over the first mold section to form a plenum between the first mold section and the second mold section, wherein the glass fiber matrix is provided in the plenum between the first mold section and the second mold section; injecting a reactive polymer forming composition into the plenum; and allowing the reactive polymer forming composition to react and form a thermoset resin. A glass fiber reinforced article is provided according to the invention.

Abstract: An improved kayak provides a rigid open cockpit hull with air chambers attached to the hull. The air chambers provide a generally convex shape for increased maneuverability and also provide cushioning against impact to reduce the risk of injury to the kayak pilot. The air chambers allow for an open cockpit kayak with an exterior surface having a similar shape as a conventional closed cockpit kayak, providing a similar level of maneuverability and allowing for completion of maneuvers such as rolling the kayak from an inverted position in the water.

Abstract: A small boat with a sponson for preventing splashing of spray onto the deck of the boat. The small boat is provided with a hull sponson at an outer periphery of the hull in order to fit the deck constituting an upper part of a boat body to the hull constituting a lower part of the boat body. A deck sponson is provided at an outer periphery of the deck, and the deck sponson is overlaid so as to bond with the hull sponson. The extent of projection of one member of the hull sponson and the deck sponson at the front section of the boat body is larger than the extent of projection of a member of the hull sponson and the deck sponson at a second member of the boat body. As a result, when the small boat is gliding and collides with a wave, the sponson prevents spray from the wave from splashing onto the deck.

Abstract: A reinforcement grid for a vessel includes a plurality of spaced-apart, generally vertically extending walls coupled by lateral floor sections and lateral walls which are coupled to stringers, the transom, and the bottom of the vessel hull to strengthen the transom, thereby allowing a greater number of higher horsepower engines to be mounted to the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a testing device for hull shells, wherein the test specimen is joined to a complementary structure with legs, having a U-shape in cross section, and at the ends of the legs there are provided lengthwise flanges in the lengthwise direction of the complementary structure with means of attaching the hull shell to the complementary structure and of applying and absorbing corrective forces, while at the borders of the complementary structure in the lengthwise direction there are provided transverse flanges for applying and absorbing of test forces in six degrees of freedom. The complementary structure (1) is formed as a soft box of composite materials and the U-shaped cross section of the complementary structure (1) consists of a horizontal straight segment (11) and two ellipsoidal segments (12) adjoining each side, forming the legs (3) of the U-shaped complementary structure (1).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a molded foam sports board made by steps: molding a foam core having a molded contour surface; laminating an extruded adhesive resin layer to a polyolefin foam sheet layer forming a film foam laminate; and thermoforming and heat laminating the film foam laminate to the molded foam core by pressing the molded foam core towards the film side of the film foam laminate and mating against the profile of a thermoforming bottom die surface. The board has a thermoformed polyolefin foam skin having an outer surface and an inner surface, a molded foam core having a molded contour surface, an extruded adhesive resin layer bonding the inner surface of polyolefin foam skin layer to the molded contour surface of the molded foam core. The molded foam core may comprise homopolymer or copolymer of expanded polystyrene foam, expanded polyethylene foam, expanded polypropylene foam and polyurethane foam.

Abstract: An assembly for retrofitting the hull of a watercraft is presented, which includes an elongated panel which defines a longitudinal channel and at least one console. The console defines at least one chamber extending through the panel and an upper chamber opening and a lower chamber opening. The panel is sized and configured to attach to the hull at an opening in the hull, and to form a seal between the panel and the hull at the hull opening. The console of the assembly is sized and configured to receive a detachably attached propulsion device. Also presented is a watercraft having integral thereto the assembly, and a method for retrofitting a watercraft to provide a location for detachable attachment of a propulsion device such as a trolling motor.

Abstract: An assembly for retrofitting the hull of a watercraft is presented, which includes an elongated panel which defines a longitudinal channel and at least one chamber housing. The chamber housing defines at least one chamber extending through the panel and an upper chamber opening and a lower chamber opening. The panel is sized and configured to attach to the hull at an opening in the hull, and to form a seal between the panel and the hull at the hull opening. The chamber housing of the assembly is sized and configured to receive a detachably attached propulsion device. Also presented is a watercraft having integral thereto the assembly, and a method for retrofitting a watercraft to provide a location for detachable attachment of a propulsion device such as a trolling motor.

Abstract: A boat hull structure includes an inner layer formed of multiple inner plates each having two mounting flanges at two sides, an outer layer formed of multiple outer plates each having two mounting flanges at two sides, multiple spacer plates connected between the mounting flanges of each two adjacent inner plates and the mounting flanges of each two adjacent outer plates to keep the inner layer and the outer layer in parallel and to define a plurality of independent air chambers between the inner layer and the outer layer, and fastening members affixing the spacer plates to the outer plates and the inner plates.

Abstract: A boat hull structure includes an inner layer formed of multiple inner plates each having two mounting flanges at two sides, an outer layer formed of multiple outer plates each having two mounting flanges at two sides, multiple spacer plates connected between the mounting flanges of each two adjacent inner plates and the mounting flanges of each two adjacent outer plates to keep the inner layer and the outer layer in parallel and to define a plurality of independent air chambers between the inner layer and the outer layer, and fastening members affixing the spacer plates to the outer plates and the inner plates.

Abstract: A tuned transom for a marine vessel comprising a boat hull having a bow and an aft section, a port side and starboard side with a centerline. The transom comprises an outer constraining layer positioned in the aft section enclosing the boat hull, an inner constraining layer which is a separate sheet from the outer constraining layer and positioned in the hull spaced-apart forwardly from the outer constraining layer to form a space between the inner constraining layer and the outer constraining layer, an a constrained damping layer adapted to bond the outer constraining layer to the inner constraining layer; wherein the constrained damping layer comprises an adhesive and means for securing the edges of the outer and the inner constraining layers to the hull.

Abstract: A small watercraft is provided. The small watercraft comprises a hull formed to have a substantially uniform thickness by using reinforced fibers impregnated with resin. The hull includes a curved portion formed by protruding outward and curving a part of the hull, and a filling material filled in a groove portion on an inner side of the hull which is created by forming the curved portion.

Abstract: The invention, relates to means for absorbing, extracting or using for propulsion, wave energy occurring naturally in water. The invention overcomes existing breakwater devices of the type that were prone to puncture or were expensive to maintain, were inertial dependant or had mooring loads. One breakwater device comprises first and second structures, (100, 102) arranged substantially parallel one to another, said structures having neutral buoyancy and energy absorbers (111) mounted therebetween, whereby in use, the devices absorb energy from incident and waves as a result of relative motion between the structures. Preferably a third structure is positioned parallel to the second structure, there being a second energy absorber positioned between the second and third structures. Energy absorbers may be arranged to generate an electromotive force or pump a material or fluid. Advantageously a plurality of devices (206) can be interconnected, in the form of a chain or caterpillar to provide a breakwater system.

Abstract: A composite structural laminate plate construction comprises two outer metal layers, a form between them and an elastomer layer bonded to the outer metal layers and filling the space between them other than that occupied by the form. The form may be foam and may be in partial contact with the metal layers.

Abstract: A method to repair moisture damaged wood core boat hulls remotely identifies and repairs all wet core hull areas and optionally performs preventive maintenance on dry hull areas to restore the integrity of a fiberglass boat hull and prevent new water infiltration damage to a boat hull. The wet area repair guidelines using a surface moisture mete Any balsa cored area reading 15% or above is considered a wet area. Any wood cored area reading 20% or above is considered a wet area. The repair steps involves removing all through-hull fittings or hardware. Wet core areas are then dried out using heat lamps, lights or heaters, hot-vac systems, or octopus vacuum with grid system. If necessary, any area not drying out is de-cored and repaired accordingly. After repairs are finished, all through-hull fillings or hardware is reinstalled using new sealant.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite elements comprising the following layered structure: (i) 2 to 20 mm metal, (ii) 10 to 300 mm plastic, (iii) 2 to 20 mm metal, whereby (i) and/or (iii) optionally comprise a closable opening.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hull with a four-cycle engine installed thereon can perform engine stop processing by quickly detecting a turnover state of the hull while suppressing a turnover determination delay due to noise superposition. The apparatus includes a turnover determination part that determines, based on a detection signal from a turnover detection switch, whether the hull is in a turnover state, and an engine stop part that stops the engine upon determination of a final hull turnover state. The turnover determination part increments a detection ratio counter each time a detection signal indicative of a hull turnover state is input thereto, counts up a continuous turnover counter each time the detection ratio counter value indicates a predetermined determination ratio value or above. When the continuous turnover counter value reaches the predetermined determination value or above, the turnover determination part determines that the hull is in the final turnover state.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting propagation of electromagnetic waves, comprising a hull outer surface, a dielectric material disposed over the hull outer surface, and an electrically conductive member embedded within the dielectric material. When a liquid medium contacts the dielectric material, the liquid medium, the hull outer surface, the dielectric material and the electrically conductive member cooperate to provide a waveguide through which electromagnetic waves can propagate wherein the boundaries of the waveguide are defined by the liquid medium and the hull outer surface. A sensor network can be provided within the dielectric material for receiving power and transmitting information.

Abstract: A kit for building a unique skin on frame kayak. The kit can comprise various raw, precut, and/or preformed materials that can be used to build a kayak frame. Further, various materials can be included to build a finished kayak. The kit can be incorporated as part of a course to illustrate one or more principles of the course.

Abstract: Complex shaped articles and a method for their manufacture are disclosed. The complex shaped articles comprise a one piece, honeycomb core material that can be conformally shaped for aerodynamic and hydrodynamic movement having formed edges and an outer skin bonded to its top and bottom surfaces to protect and encase the honeycomb core material and provide a drag resistant surface.