Abstract: A sailboat symmetrical in the longitudinal direction, but asymmetrical in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The sailboat includes a main hull, a mast, a yardarm pivotally attached to a head of the mast, and a sail attached to the yardarm. Also, there is a sponson, a keel section and an outrigger hull. A system for automatically joining the sail sections, as the sail is lowered from the yardarm and a system for automatically separating the sail sections, as the sail is raised onto the yardarm. A system for rotatably pivotally attaching the mast to the main hull. Rudders mounted in the keel and tillers having resilient control elements.

Abstract: In an outboard motor including a centrifugal clutch system between the engine crankshaft and the drive shaft and including an exhaust pipe that has an outlet which is submerged under water in an operable state of the outboard motor, the exhaust pipe is provided with an exhaust vent which is positioned above water in an operable state of the outboard motor. Thus, when a reverse rotation takes place in the event of unsuccessful engine start, the exhaust vent allows atmospheric air to flow into the exhaust pipe so as to prevent the internal combustion engine from working as a suction pump and introducing water into the engine cylinder through the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for deploying, recovering, and servicing an AUV are disclosed. The apparatus includes a linelatch system that is made up of a tether management system connected to a flying latch vehicle by a tether. The linelatch system can be connected to a surface vessel by an umbilical on one end and to an AUV on the other end. In addition to providing a mechanical connection, between the AUV and a surface vessel, the linelatch system can also carry power and data between the surface vessel (i.e., through the umbilical) and the AUV.

Abstract: A boat carrier 1 having a transverse frame 2-2a with adjustable width for a range of boat widths, a gunwale clamp 10 at each end of the frame, a seat 11 in the middle of the frame, and a wheel 5 attached to each end of the frame by a strut 6-6a. The strut is pivotally attached to the frame by a pivot attachment 7 that is lockable vertically downward, vertically upward, or horizontally. A user can clamp the frame transversely between the gunwales of a boat at the longitudinal balance point of the boat. The wheels can be locked downward, and the boat can be rolled on land by a single person without lifting a significant weight, and can be launched into water. When afloat, a person in the boat can pivot the wheel struts to a horizontal position, placing the wheels beside the boat where they serve as bumpers and stabilizing outriggers. The wheels can optionally be locked upward for rolling the boat inverted on land. The wheel struts telescope to a desired wheel extension to set the boat carrying height.

Abstract: A mount for an outboard motor is disclosed in which the cylinder block of the motor is within the hull and the gear box and propeller are outside the hull. The drive shaft passes through the mount from the block to the gear box. The mount permits the motor to be swung about a horizontal axis to raise and lower the propeller. It also permits the motor to perform rotary steering oscillations about an inclined axis which passes through the propeller, or close to the propeller. Because the propeller is oscillated about an axis which passes through or close to it, it remains on the boat center line when the motor is turned for steering purposes and moves to a position in which the line of thrust is downwards.

Abstract: A powerboat has a hull, keel, a transom, sidewalls, and a gunwale. The hull has at least one stringer on each side of the keel. An upwardly generally transversely oriented elongated structural member is secured to the transom. A lower generally transversely oriented structural member is secured to the transom in generally underlying relationship with respect to the upper generally transversely oriented structural member. At least one generally vertically oriented structural member is secured to the upper and lower transversely oriented structural members. The upper transversely oriented structural member serves to transfer a load from the transom to the gunwales. The lower transversely oriented structural member serves to transfer load from the transom to the keel and stringers. The powerboat may be a performance boat having the hull composed of outer and inner layers of aluminum skin with an interposed resinous foam material or a single plate.

Abstract: A push pole for propelling a boat comprising an elongated straight pole having a first and second end and a foot extending from the second end of the elongated pole. The foot consists of two prongs where the first prong extends coaxially in relation to the elongated pole and the second prong has an arcuate shape disposed towards the first prong. The first prongs has a spiraled configuration between a spade-like terminus and the elongated pole. The second prong has a spade-like terminus. The configuration of the foot provides for efficient insertion and release of the prongs from the floor of a waterway.

Abstract: A pedal boat mainly includes a hull equipped with a transmission mechanism and a steering mechanism. A tubular member is connected behind a lower rear end of the hull. The transmission mechanism includes a driving chain wheel, a gearbox, and a propeller connected to the gearbox via a shaft and located in the tubular member. The driving chain wheel can be rotated by use of two pedals connected thereto. Power generated by the rotating chain wheel is transmitted to the propeller via the gearbox at a high transmission gear ratio, so that the propeller rotates at high speed and expels water from the tubular member to move the pedal boat quickly in directions controlled by the steering mechanism. The propeller is located under water and would not splash water about to wet a user of the boat when it works. The pedal boat is manhandled by pedaling but capable of moving at high speed and is therefore an interesting water sport means.

Abstract: A system is disclosed to reduce the impact shock associated with operating a planing boat at high speeds. The system, called "LocalFlex," comprises an outer bottom placed under the inner bottom of the boat. The outer bottom is spaced a distance from the inner bottom. The outer bottom comprises two plates. Each plate is connected to the inner bottom along or near the keel, and along or near the chine. Along the keel, each plate of the outer bottom is attached to one or more hinges or pins rigidly suspended from or below the keel of the inner bottom. At or near the chine, each plate is connected to the boat by one or more springs. The elastic modulus of the plates and that of the springs are selected so that the outer bottom deforms under the pressure spike of an impact in a whip-like flexure that smoothly directs the pressure spike past the chine. After the spike passes the chine, the pressure diminishes and makes no further significant contribution to impact slamming.

Abstract: A traveler comprises a car slideably held on a track, and is useful for applications including trimming a sailboat mast or sail. The car has two side portions each with a race with an open portion. Ball bearings are contained in each race that are rotatably engaged between the race open portions and the grooves on the sidewalls of the track. The car further has retaining means for holding the ball bearings in place along the open portion of the race when the car is removed from the track. The retaining means are movably received by the track groove, and otherwise allow for free rotational engagement of the groove by the bearings.

Abstract: A system is provided for changing the shape of a foresail from a spinnaker shape to a Genoa shape through the utilization of a tensioning line which runs from the head of the spinnaker shaped sail to its tack. Tensioning of this line provides that the flap of material forward of the tensioning line folds back over the leeward side of the foresail, where differential pressure across the luff created by the tensioning line sucks the loose flap of material in towards the sail, such that it lays flat against the leeward side of the sail. The reshaping permits the use of the sail to within 50 degrees of the wind, thus allowing the use of one sail for wind conditions which would normally require two or more sails.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention relates to a new design for a fairlead that is capable of being remotely uninstalled from and then reinstalled on an offshore drilling and production vessel, while the vessel is in its moored position, in the event that the fairlead develops mechanical difficulties that require repair. Thus, the present invention discloses a fairlead that may be remotely uninstalled and reinstalled while the fairlead is underwater and without ballasting the vessel far enough to raise the fairlead above the water surface. The need for this invention primarily arises in connection with fairleads that are mounted to a vessel of the type where the ballasting process can be a very difficult, time-consuming, and expensive process.

Abstract: An anchor in which an L-shaped shank has a single trapeziform fluke pivotally secured to the shorter leg of the L provides a larger surface area for the palm of the fluke. The fluke is configured such that a center of force is directed perpendicularly to the shorter leg of the L to minimize the tendency of the anchor to move sideways or crab.

Abstract: A personal watercraft having exhaust pipes which discharge exhaust gases to either side of the craft's hull, is disclosed The exhaust system of the personal watercraft has one or more valves which can be used to selectively direct exhaust gases to one side or the other of the hull to thereby generate a steering force to at least aid in the steering of the personal watercraft. Also disclosed, are a pair of sponsons with perforated bottoms which are attached to either side of the hull. Exhaust gases are directed into the sponsons which release exhaust gas bubbles under the waterline and thus muffle the exhaust noise. In conjunction with the sponsons, multi-compartment tuning chambers can be provided inside the hull. A method for steering a personal watercraft using exhaust gases and a method and arrangement for automatically shutting off exhaust gas flow when the craft leaves the water, are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention concerns an internal combustion engine with a combustion chamber (8) for burning the working gas in an explosion stroke and, connected to the combustion chamber (8), a pump chamber (18) which can be filled via an input orifice (181) with a driving fluid which can be ejected through an exhaust orifice (182) by the effect of the combustion gas formed during the explosion stroke; this internal combustion engine is provided with a spraying device (19, 50) with which a coolant can be sprayed into the pump chamber (18) during an implosion stroke subsequent to the explosion stroke.

Abstract: Herein taught is an accessory cover device which is removably attachable to an open-top boat. With the cover being of a size and shape to provide comfortable shelter for the user. Also, the cover is portable, and easily assembled and secured while the user is in the boat.

Abstract: A highly visible container protected polyurethane foam flotation buoy, with a transparent polycarbonate housing enclosing a plastic line spool which is supported by a stainless steel axle which has a stainless steel rewind handle, with nylon roller, and a adjustable nylon brake assembly. Housing is secured to bottom of flotation buoy, housing assembly and spool assembly which are used in the deployment and take up of anchor and anchor line comprises complete flotation unit. Anchor is a five pound steel core enclosed in PVC with a stainless steel connection bolt. In use anchor will have descended to bottom and buoy will be on top surface of water connected by anchor line and will not drift off marked spot.

Abstract: A guidance pad, made from flexible plastic material and configured with an array of parallel guidance ridges on the bottom side, can be retrofitted onto the bottom side of an aquatic sports device such as a surfboard so that the ridges, running fore-and-aft, enhance lateral stability by guiding water flow through the channels formed between the ridges. In a preferred embodiment, five equally-spaced ridges having a V-shaped cross-section are molded integrally on the bottom side of a generally rectangular thin flexible pad whose flat top surface is provided with a layer of self-adhesive material retained by a peel-off backing. To install the guidance pad, the backing is peeled off to expose the adhesive material and the top surface of the pad is attached onto the bottom of the surfboard just forward of the fin, for which a cutaway region is provided at the aft edge of the pad. The hydro-dynamic effects, e.g.

Abstract: A multifunctional utility station is suitable for use as a utility table, tackle box and/or storage chest and has an adjustable mount can be used on a recreational watercraft or other boat. The multifunctional utility station is affixed to and supported on the boat by at least one support member having a horizontal end and a vertical end, where the horizontal end of each support member is slidably and adjustably positioned within a receiving channel and sleeve situated along the bottom of the station. Position setting means, in the form of either a bolt that cooperates with grooves with position stops formed along the interior of the receiving channels or a toggle bolt or some other device, may be used to set the depth of the station relative to the horizontal end of the support member. The vertical end of each support member is slidably and adjustably positioned within a channel bracket that is affixed to the hull of a fishing or general recreation boat.

Abstract: In an outboard marine drive including a vertically oriented engine, a disk member is attached to a lower end of the crankshaft of the engine, and the upper end of the drive shaft is disposed coaxially with respect to the crankshaft and at a prescribed distance from the disk member so that a direct coupling member and an centrifugal clutch device may be interchangeably installed between them. The disk member is provided with axial holes for either pivotally supporting clutch shoes or fixedly attaching the upper end of the direct coupling member. The lower end of the direct coupling member and the clutch drum of the centrifugal clutch device are provided with an identical coupling arrangement for coupling with an upper end of the drive shaft.