Abstract: A hydraulic reservoir (10), for use for example in a marine pleasure craft, comprises a vortex chamber (16), a hydraulic fluid return line (18) and a hydraulic fluid suction line (20) respective entering and exiting substantially tangentially to an internal wall surface of the vortex chamber. An upper chamber (26) is disposed above the vortex chamber (16) and in fluid communication with the vortex chamber. The upper chamber is capable of expansion and/or contraction in use in order to adjust continuously to the volume of the hydraulic fluid to be accommodated in the hydraulic reservoir. Also disclosed is a method of operating such a hydraulic reservoir, in which hydraulic fluid is directed into the vortex chamber (16) along the hydraulic fluid return line (18) and extracting hydraulic fluid from the vortex chamber along the hydraulic fluid suction line (20), to thereby generate a vortex flow in the vortex chamber. Dissolved air, if present, becomes entrained into bubbles which rise to the upper chamber (26).

Abstract: A sliding roof panel assembly for covering a roof opening of a marine craft is disclosed. The sliding roof panel assembly comprises a slide guide for attachment along one side of the roof opening, a roof panel which is slidably moveable between an open and lifted position and a closed and lowered position, the roof opening being covered by the roof panel in the closed and lowered position, and a slide assembly guided for travel along the slide guide and supporting the roof panel. The slide guide has a slide track and a guide rail, the slide track and the guide rail each extending along the slide guide, the guide rail having a forward depressed portion and a rearward raised portion. The slide assembly comprises a drive slide driveably moveable along the slide track of the slide guide, a guide rail follower supported by and moveable along the guide rail, the guide rail follower supporting the roof panel, and a first lever, linking the drive slide and the roof panel via respective rotatable links.

Abstract: A retractable thruster assembly for a marine vessel has a propeller unit, a motor, a housing and a drive shaft linking the motor with the propeller unit. An actuator is operable to move the propeller unit from the storage configuration to a deployment configuration in a direction from inboard to outboard, the propeller unit being extended from the hull for use in the deployment configuration. The drive shaft comprises a motor-side universal joint for attachment to the motor and a propeller-side universal joint for attachment to the propeller unit. The universal joints permit folding of the drive shaft at least in the storage configuration. A motor-side telescopic section is disposed adjacent the motor-side universal joint. A propeller-side telescopic section is disposed adjacent the propeller-side universal joint. An intermediate telescopic section is disposed between the motor-side telescopic section and the propeller-side telescopic section.

Abstract: A gypsy is disclosed, adapted for mounting in a windlass for hauling and/or veering anchor rode. A chain-engagement region (12) of the gypsy comprises chain link pockets (18) sized and spaced around the chain-engagement region to engage with chain of the anchor rode. A line-engagement region (24) is provided, with an array of rope grip features (26) spaced around the line-engagement region. The chain-engagement region of the gypsy is formed from a polymeric material and the line-engagement region is formed from a metal material.

Abstract: A windlass assembly for a marine craft anchoring system is disclosed. The assembly comprises, before attachment to the craft, a windlass portion and a bow roller portion connected to each other via a connection portion. The connection portion provides a mechanical link between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion, secures alignment between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion and fixes the spacing between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion.

Abstract: A line hauling device such as a windlass is disclosed for marine craft. The device has a support, a drum held on the support and rotatable with respect to the support, a motor for selectably driving rotation of the drum in a forward (hauling) direction and a reverse (paying out) direction, and a line laying mechanism for laying the line onto the drum. The drum is adapted to store the line on the drum. When operated in the forward direction, the line-laying mechanism lays the line onto the drum in a first series of turns. On completion of the first series of turns the line-laying mechanism lays the line in a second series of turns overlying the first series of turns. The line-laying mechanism includes a carriage which is driven reciprocally with respect to the drum by rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A thruster assembly is provided for a marine vessel, the assembly having a propeller unit (14), a motor (10) and a drive shaft (12) linking the motor (10) with the propeller unit (14) to drive the propeller unit (14). The drive shaft (12) is foldable and defines a drive path between the motor (10) and the propeller unit (14). A housing (2) locates the propeller unit (14) in a storage configuration. The motor (10) is fixed with respect to the housing (2), the housing (2) being adapted to be fixed with respect to an opening in a hull (8) of the marine vessel. An actuator (22) is operable to move the propeller unit (14) from the storage configuration to a deployment configuration in a direction from inboard to outboard, the propeller unit (14) being extended from the hull (8) for use in the deployment configuration. The propeller unit (14) is supported by a support assembly (36) which is pivotable relative to the housing (2) about a pivot axis (A).

Abstract: A winch for a sailboat comprises a support for mounting the winch with respect to a sailboat, a winch drum rotatable with respect to the support, a ring gear fixed with respect to the winch drum, a main drive gear meshing with the ring gear for driving rotation of the winch drum, a manual drive spindle 300 and a motor gear shaft 114. Forward winding of the winch drum in a first gearing ratio and in a second gearing ratio which are selected depending on the direction of rotation of the manual drive spindle. Gear trains provide the first and second gearing ratios. Manual and motorized operational arrangements are possible.

Abstract: A self-tailing arrangement for a winch comprises a rope guide channel defined by upper and lower guide rings which are rotatable with a drum and adapted to grip rope therein. A feeder arm guides rope between the drum and the rope guide channel and is fixed with respect to a support. A spring-mounted retainer guide guides rope between the rope guide channel and an unloaded end of the rope. The drum is rotatable with respect to the retainer guide. The retainer guide has a retainer lip extending partially circumferentially around the self-tailing assembly to at least partially enclose a portion of the rope guide channel. The retainer guide further defines at least one side of an opening adjacent the retainer lip, the opening being sized to conduct rope through the opening during reverse winding of the winch, the rope thereby being retained in the rope guide channel by the retainer lip.

Abstract: A self-tailing arrangement for a winch comprises a rope guide channel defined by upper and lower guide rings which are rotatable with a drum and adapted to grip rope therein. A feeder arm guides rope between the drum and the rope guide channel and is fixed with respect to a support. A spring-mounted retainer guide guides rope between the rope guide channel and an unloaded end of the rope. The drum is rotatable with respect to the retainer guide. The retainer guide has a retainer lip extending partially circumferentially around the self-tailing assembly to at least partially enclose a portion of the rope guide channel. The retainer guide further defines at least one side of an opening adjacent the retainer lip, the opening being sized to conduct rope through the opening during reverse winding of the winch, the rope thereby being retained in the rope guide channel by the retainer lip.

Abstract: A winch for a sailboat comprises a support for mounting the winch with respect to a sailboat, a winch drum rotatable with respect to the support, a manual drive socket for receiving a crank handle for manual driving of the winch and a motor for powered driving of the winch. The winch provides at least two manual forward winding gearing ratios selectable according to the direction of rotation of the manual drive socket. Motor-operated forward and reverse winding can be provided. The winch can lock against reverse winding when the crank handle is located in the drive socket. Control means are provided for controlling the motor. The control means has two selectable on-off controls only, a forwards control being exclusively for controlling on-off motor-operated forward winding of the winch drum and a reverse control being exclusively for controlling on-off motor-operated reverse winding of the winch drum.

Abstract: A winch for a sailboat comprises a support for mounting the winch with respect to a sailboat, a winch drum rotatable with respect to the support, a ring gear fixed with respect to the winch drum, a main drive gear meshing with the ring gear for driving rotation of the winch drum, a manual drive spindle 300 and a motor gear shaft 114. Forward winding of the winch drum in a first gearing ratio and in a second gearing ratio which are selected depending on the direction of rotation of the manual drive spindle. Gear trains provide the first and second gearing ratios. Manual and motorized operational arrangements are possible.

Abstract: Disclosed is a winch drum for rotation about a rotation axis. The winch drum has a rope-receiving surface with a plurality of raised ridges defining substantially helical channels between them. The channels provide guidance for rope along the rope-receiving surface at least during rope release. The ridges have a meandering shape extending around the drum, formed from a series of alternating circumferential and axially inclined ridge elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for assisting in the attachment of an appliance such as a winch to a surface (e.g. deck) of a watercraft such as a sailing boat. Fixing screws are retained in apertures in the winch by retaining means such as lock washers. The assembly of the winch and screws may therefore be produced at a location remote from the watercraft, the retaining means holding the screws against rotation during transportation and during fixing of the appliance to the surface of the watercraft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a marine steering assembly having a steering wheel pedestal, a steering output member, a manual steering mechanism and an auto-pilot drive. The manual steering mechanism is connected to a steering wheel. The manual steering mechanism is retained by the steering wheel pedestal for manual control of the steering output member. The auto-pilot drive is connected to the steering output member and provides automatic control of the steering output member. The auto-pilot drive is aligned with and located adjacent the steering output member. The steering output member, the manual steering mechanism, the pedestal and the auto-pilot drive are accommodated within an outer casing.

Abstract: A line-handling block particularly for sailing vessels has an attachment device (30) rotatably mounted in the body. Locking device (50) are slidable in keyhole slots (60) into or out of engagement with the attachment device (30). When in engagement the locking device (50) may permit only limited rotation of the attachment device to either side of a central position. They may yield if an excessive torsional load is experienced, and may be supplied in various interchangeable forms for fitting to a given block so that its characteristics may be adjusted.

Abstract: A steerage wheel for a vessel such as a sailing yacht is disclosed. A rim member is attached to a hub member by a series of spokes. The rim member includes pivot mechanisms to allow sector portions of the rim member to be folded over to reduce the effective width of the steerage wheel. The spokes connecting the hub to the sector portions have releasable securing means to allow the connection between the rim member and the hub to be severed to permit folding of the steerage wheel without interference from the spokes. The releasable seeming means is a screw threaded sleeve that allows connection and detachment of the free ends of two lengths of the spoke.

Abstract: A steerage wheel for a vessel such as a sailing yacht is disclosed. A rim member is attached to a hub member by a series of spokes. The rim member includes pivot mechanisms to allow sector portions of the rim member to be folded over to reduce the effective width of the steerage wheel. The spokes connecting the hub to the sector portions have releasable securing means to allow the connection between the rim member and the hub to be severed to permit folding of the steerage wheel without interference from the spokes. The releasable seeming means is a screw threaded sleeve that allows connection and detachment of the free ends of two lengths of the spoke.