Abstract: Multiplexed phased array sonar systems and methods for consumer fishfinders are described herein. In one embodiment a single curved transmit transducer and an array of receive transducers are provided, and in an embodiment the signals from the receive transducers are multiplexed, which greatly reduces the data load, allowing for the achievement of the near real time, high resolution imagery in a size and price point that enables this technology to be employed in a consumer fish finder.

Abstract: A tip valve and a cook system incorporating same that automatically stops the flow of gas to a burner when tipped over and that automatically resets when disconnected from the fuel canister to allow the flow of gas to resume when righted and reconnected are provided. The tip valve includes a ball bearing freely moveable between a fuel canister actuator pin and a tip seal within a bore having two different diameters at each end thereof. The transition between the two diameters forms a taper that may be continuous forming a smooth tapered bore, or discontinuous formed by at least one counter bore. The automatic resetting is provided without the use of a mechanical pin or member.

Abstract: A watercraft and associated pedal drive system are provided. Method of operating the pedal drive are also provided. The pedal drive system allows for unassisted manual pedaling to provide thrust to the watercraft. The pedal drive system also provides on demand pedal assistance of varying levels via an assist drive train having an electric motor to supplement the manual pedal force input provided by a user at the pedals of pedal drive system.

Abstract: An underwater mask including a condensing member is provided. The mask includes a lens exposed to ambient water as well as to an air compartment of the mask that is adjacent a diver's face. The mask includes a condensing member that has an inner surface that is exposed to the air compartment and that is configured to promote condensing of moisture within the air within the air compartment thereon prior to the moisture condensing on an inner surface of the lens. The condensing member may be passive and rely on thermal conductivity properties of the member or be actively electrically controlled.

Abstract: An underwater navigation system that includes a buoy configured to be anchored underwater or to be hung underwater from a boat. The buoy is configured to transmit a signal. A dive computer is configured to be carried by a diver, and also configured to receive the signal. The dive computer is further configured to display a distance and direction to the buoy based on the received signal.

Abstract: A sonar target locking system to position a sonar assembly to maintain the sonar array of the sonar assembly pointing at a position of a user set (desired) target even when the watercraft is rotating or moving in various motions. The sonar target locking system includes electro-mechanical assembly that can be steered electrically to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target. The system may be activated using at least one of a foot pedal, handheld remote control, or a display of a fish finder head unit. The system may use GPS and IMU inputs to generate control signals to steer the electro-mechanical assembly to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target.

Abstract: Methods of situationally controlling marine devices connected via a one boat network on a watercraft are presented. The marine devices are selected from fishfinders or other OBN devices, trolling motors, heading sensors, main propulsion engine, i-Pilot Link, shallow water anchors, AIS/MARPA, smart chargers or power monitors, downriggers, trim tabs, drift paddles, lighting, sonar and imaging transducers, chart plotters, foot pedals, handheld remote controls, and mobile marine apps. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one situational condition of at least one first marine device, identifying at least one second marine device, and triggering a situational control action for the at least one second marine device when the at least one situational condition for the at least one first marine device is met. The methods include situationally controlling a speed of a trolling motor and anchoring of the watercraft, as well as providing advanced power management thereon.

Abstract: A method of making and a computer readable media having data readable by a fish finder are provided. The data includes a topographical fishing map usable by the fish finder to display bathymetric information regarding a body of water, and a number of water current flow simulations. Any of the number of simulations is selectable via the user input and usable by the fish finder to display water current flow as a layer on the bathymetric information regarding a body of water. Freshwater currents or saltwater tides may be provided in certain embodiments. The method includes inputting the bathymetric information from the topographical fishing map and current flow conditions to the processor, processing a hydrodynamic or tidal modeling program and storing the water current flow simulation as a user selectable layer on the media on which the topographical fishing map is stored.

Abstract: A first stage pressure regulator is provided. A valve body has an inlet and an outlet that define a pressure chamber therebetween. The valve body defines a pressure compensation chamber having an opening fluidly communicating the pressure compensation chamber with the surrounding water. The first stage pressure regulator comprises an inlet tubular union removably received into the inlet. A removable high pressure orifice body defines an orifice therethrough. The orifice body is carried by the valve body proximate the inlet. A valve seat is within the valve body.

Abstract: A watercraft and associated pedal drive system are provided. Method of operating the pedal drive are also provided. The pedal drive system allows for unassisted manual pedaling to provide thrust to the watercraft. The pedal drive system also provides on demand pedal assistance of varying levels via an assist drive train having an electric motor to supplement the manual pedal force input provided by a user at the pedals of pedal drive system.

Abstract: A cable management device for managing cables of a trolling motor is provided. The cable management device can slide axially along a shaft of a trolling motor while being affixed to a portion of a cable of the trolling motor. A trolling motor including such a cable management device is provided.

Abstract: A cable management device for managing cables of a trolling motor is provided. The cable management device can slide axially along a shaft of a trolling motor while being affixed to a portion of a cable of the trolling motor. A trolling motor including such a cable management device is provided.

Abstract: A watercraft and associated pedal drive system are provided. Method of operating the pedal drive are also provided. The pedal drive system allows for unassisted manual pedaling to provide thrust to the watercraft. The pedal drive system also provides on demand pedal assistance of varying levels via an assist drive train having an electric motor to supplement the manual pedal force input provided by a user at the pedals of pedal drive system.

Abstract: A watercraft, associated motor pod, and associated methods are provided. The motor pod is operable to maintain an orientation of the watercraft relative to a reference datum while the watercraft is moving or stationary.

Abstract: A trolling motor includes a rotatable trim module which effectuates trim adjustment of the trolling motor by adjusting a vertical position of a motor shaft assembly. A rotatable steering module is mounted below the trim module. The steering module and trim module are assembled on a rotatable motor shaft having a motor mounted at one end of the motor shaft. A conductive cord is coiled around the motor shaft. The conductive cord is configured to transmit electrical power from a power source to an internal control module and a drive motor in the trim module. In further embodiments, the conductive cord also transmits control signals from an internal control device to an internal control module in the trim module.

Abstract: An underwater mask including a condensing member is provided. The mask includes a lens exposed to ambient water as well as to an air compartment of the mask that is adjacent a diver's face. The mask includes a condensing member that has an inner surface that is exposed to the air compartment and that is configured to promote condensing of moisture within the air within the air compartment thereon prior to the moisture condensing on an inner surface of the lens. The condensing member may be passive and rely on thermal conductivity properties of the member or be actively electrically controlled.

Abstract: A motor assembly having a lifting mechanism and associated watercraft are provided. The lifting mechanism is operable to lift a motor of the motor assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A user can then transition the motor from the stowed position back to the deployed position via a user control.

Abstract: A packable cooking system is provided. To pack the system, the fuel canister is connected to the lid. The legs of the fuel stabilizer are folded and it is placed in the bottom of the pot. The pot support legs of the burner are rotated to their storage position forming an L-shape with the burner mixer tube and the folded burner assembly is placed in the bottom of the pot with the pot support legs along the bottom and side walls of the pot and the burner mix tube extending upward from the bottom of the pot along the side wall. This orientation, when the connection is off-center, allows the fuel canister that has been secured to the lid to fit within the pot in its offset position beside the upward extending burner mix tube with the folded fuel stabilizer below the fuel canister.

Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel has a sonar depth finder which displays a chart, stored in memory, for a body of water. The chart includes an underwater feature contour that defines a boundary of an underwater feature. The sonar depth finder includes a processor to create or update the topographical chart based on sonar data from a sonar transducer assembly. The sonar data includes information on the underwater feature. The processor can display and store the topographical chart. The user may select from the underwater feature contours on the depth finder display. The depth finder can generate a route for the marine vessel that includes a path along the selected underwater feature contours. A vessel control device, in communication with the depth finder, may receive transmissions, from the depth finder, which include the generated route. The vessel control device can automatically direct the marine vessel along the route.

Abstract: A tip valve and a cook system incorporating same that automatically stops the flow of gas to a burner when tipped over and that automatically resets when disconnected from the fuel canister to allow the flow of gas to resume when righted and reconnected are provided. The tip valve includes a ball bearing freely moveable between a fuel canister actuator pin and a tip seal within a bore having two different diameters at each end thereof. The transition between the two diameters forms a taper that may be continuous forming a smooth tapered bore, or discontinuous formed by at least one counter bore. The automatic resetting is provided without the use of a mechanical pin or member.