Abstract: An induction system for a 4-cycle engine of a small watercraft includes an improved construction which can accommodate a large plenum chamber notwithstanding being placed in an engine compartment limited in size. The induction system includes improved filtration, and accessibility characteristics. The air induction system can include a plenum chamber member defining the plenum chamber. The air induction system can also include one or more throttle bodies within the plenum chamber to allow the construction of a large plenum chamber. The plenum chamber member is can comprise at least three parts with at least one part being disposed substantially above the spark plugs and being removable. The air induction system can also include an air filter having a water repellent element and an oil-resistant element arranged such that a flow of air entering the combustion chambers passes through both the water repellent and oil-resistant elements.

Abstract: A stern drive system having an outdrive rotatable about a generally horizontal axis to impart a desired trim or tilt to the drive system is provided. The system includes a gimbal ring that defines an inner region. The gimbal ring is configured to pivotally receive a first anchor pin. A tilt-trim assembly is affixed to the outdrive, and the tilt-trim assembly has one respective end thereof configured to pivotally receive a second anchor pin supported by the outdrive. The assembly includes a single cylinder through the inner region of the gimbal ring and has one end thereof connected to the first anchor pin so that when the cylinder is actuated the outdrive is rotated about the generally horizontal axis.

Abstract: A hydraulic tilt device for a marine outboard drive comprising a cylinder and a piston slidably supported in the cylinder and defining a first and a second chambers. A working fluid is contained in both of the chambers. A piston rod extends from the piston through the first chamber. The first and second chambers are joined together by a passage that is opened or closed by a switchover valve. Gasses are also contained for compensating the working fluid and pressuring it in the first chamber. Means is provided for permitting flow of the working fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber when the passage is closed and the second chamber produces a pressure greater than a predetermined magnitude. The gasses are dispensable if a fluid reservoir is provided for compensating the working fluid.

Abstract: A diver lying prone in the water grasps the invention with his hands and pushes on pedals with his feet. The pedal motion is converted into propulsive force that moves the diver through the water. The diver is free to bend at his hip joints and bend and twist his spine to cause turns, dives and ascents in the water. The preferred embodiment of the propulsion means comprises a simple direct drive of an arm. As the diver operates the pedals the forward end of the arm pivots with respect to the device as the rearward end of the arm sweeps back and forth in the water. A fin is attached to the rearward end of the arm. The fin is fitted with a simple device for controlling the angle of attack of the fin with respect to the flow of water past it.

Abstract: A universal boat accessory rack that provides a lighted hitch, a first support, a second support, a cross-bar connecting the first support to the second support, and a plurality of fasteners, which connect the first support and second support to a boat hull. More specifically, the lighted hitch may be attached to one of the supports, and the first support, the second support and the cross-bar are all adjustable in length. Therefore, the boat accessory rack has a light located at the highest point on the boat accessory rack and an adjustable height, width and depth. In addition, the fasteners are capable of being attached in a vertical, horizontal or angular position with respect to the boat hull. In this manner, a boat owner may quickly and easily install the boat accessory rack on boats embodying a number of different sizes and designs.

Abstract: The hull has two lateral hull portions (5a, 5b) spaced part with respect to each other which each extends from a respective lateral wall of a front hull portion (1) beyond the rear end (1a) of the front hull portion (1). Lateral hull portions (5a, 5) are directly connected to a respective lateral wall of front hull portion (1). A respective tunnel (15a, 15b), open downwardly, is formed between the front hull portion (1) and each lateral hull portion (5a, 5b). Tunnels (15a, 15b) run into a further tunnel (15) defined behind the rear end (1a) of the front hull portion (1), between the lateral hull portions (5a, 5b).

Abstract: A closed coolant circulating system for a watercraft, for traveling along a surface of a body of water, containing a supply of coolant that is caused to flow through the coolant circulating system. The watercraft comprises a hull and an engine. The watercraft also comprises a heat exchanger formed from heat conductive material and having a fluid path defined therein with an inlet port and an outlet port. The heat exchanger has a heat exchanging exterior surface and is mounted to the hull such that the heat exchanging exterior surface constitutes a portion of the exterior surface of the hull that is normally disposed below the surface of the body of water. The heat conductive material of the heat exchanger allows the heat absorbed by the coolant to dissipate from the coolant to the body of water via the heat exchanging exterior surface as the coolant flows through the fluid path.

Abstract: A device for installation in a floating vessel which is intended for receiving a buoy or a turret in a submerged receiving space at the bottom of the vessel. The device comprises a tubular body (5) dimensioned for installation in a shaft (2) extending vertically through the hull of the vessel and which, at its lower end, is arranged to receive a module unit (6) provided with a through opening (8) for receiving the buoy/turret. When the module unit (6) is installed in the tubular body (5), the module unit at its lower end forms a seal (37) against the tubular body (5), and at its upper end the module unit (6) is fixed in relation to the tubular body (5) by locking means (40).

Abstract: A working ship (1), comprising a hull (2) provided with driving means and a deck (3). The hull (2) is temporarily submersible. The deck (3) is connected to the hull by using connecting means (8) at an adjustable intermediate distance. The working ship (1) is thus adjustable between a floating position in which the deck (3) is located near the hull and a semi-submerged position in which the hull is located substantially below the water surface and the deck (3) is located above the water surface at a distance from the hull.

Abstract: An outboard engine system includes a casing having a driving-force transmitting device provided therein, and an engine for transmitting power through the driving-force transmitting device to a propeller. The casing and the engine are carried on a hull for tilting-up movement. An engine cover made of a synthetic resin covers at least an upper portion of the engine, and an undercover comprises a pair of cover halves made of a synthetic resin and connected to each other to cover at least a lower portion of the engine from opposite sides. The undercover is detachably connected at its upper end to a lower end of the engine cover and fixed to an upper portion of the casing. In such outboard engine system, the undercover is detachably fixed at its upper portion to a body of the engine. Thus, the undercover can be supported so as to give an impression that the engine cover and the undercover are rigid during a tilting-up operation.

Abstract: A watercraft constructed according to the invention includes at least one hull according to the invention described in the grandparent and great-grandparent patent applications that issued as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,314,903 and 6,250,245, which hull includes first and second channel defining structures connected to the hull that define a first channel on a port side of the hull with a forwardly facing first channel entrance and a second channel on a starboard side of the hull with a second forwardly facing channel entrance. According to one aspect of the invention, the hull has a bow that extends to a vertical knife edge, and the first and second wing channel entrances are arranged to form a near horizontal knife edge at the deck level in order to enhance high speed operations. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an onboard air system for injecting air into the first and second channels in order to enhance high speed operation of the watercraft.

Abstract: An improved lift boat includes a hull, a plurality of legs (preferably three), a plurality of pads, one pad attached to each leg, and a jacking mechanism for moving each upward and downward. Recesses in the hull receive the pads when the lift boat is underway. Preferably, the total bottom surface area of the pads is at least 30% of the surface area of the deck of the lift boat Preferably, the total bottom surface area of the pads is large enough such that, when the boat is loaded to capacity and is jacked up, the pads exert pressure of less than 7 p.s.i. on the sea floor. Preferably, the pads are partially recessed into the hull and extend laterally outward from the hull when the boat is underway to provide increased stability to the lift boat when it is underway.

Abstract: An evacuation refuge for a maritime unit. A rescue station includes at least one space operable to be completely closed from a surrounding environment for longterm occupation therein. A plurality of life boats are arranged within the rescue station for emergency exit. The life boats are operable to be occupied while inside the rescue station prior to deployment. An openable or removable structure is operable to permit deployment of the life boats arranged within the rescue station by removal of the occupied life boats from the rescue station. Breathing air processing devices are operable to maintain air within the evacuation refuge breathable.

Abstract: A catalyst exhaust system includes a catalyst housing having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a passage therethough. The outlet end includes a valve seat, and a water jacket surrounds the catalyst housing. A valve housing is in flow communication with the outlet end and in flow communication with said water jacket to accommodate a valve configured to allow passage of exhaust gases but prevent water from entering the catalyst housing passage and reaching a catalyst therein.

Abstract: A propulsion system having a low-friction exhaust bellows relative to an engine located in the interior of a marine vessel is provided. The engine has an exhaust discharge member in communication with a propulsion unit, and an exhaust passage having an exterior coupling member flexibly connected to pass exhaust from the exhaust discharge member to the propulsion unit. The interior surface of the passage is configured to provide a relatively smooth surface to the exhaust passing therein.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing sea state induced vertical motion of a shipboard crane's load. Sea state induced vertical velocity of the crane's suspended load is determined as a function of: i) the horizontal radial distance the load extends from the crane's axis of rotation, and ii) motion of the ship at the crane's axis of rotation. The load is then moved vertically at a speed that is defined as being equal to the vertical velocity in a direction that is opposite that of the vertical velocity.

Abstract: The carrier includes a cradle having an elongated spine and a number of ribs which are spaced along the length of the spine. The spine is pivotally attached to a larger boat such that an end of the spine may be raised or lowered. When the end of the spine has reached its lowermost extent, it is immersed in water and allows a smaller boat to be floated into the cradle. When the end of the spine is raised to its uppermost extent, the smaller boat is lifted entirely out of water. A hoist or actuator serves to raise and lower the end.

Abstract: A leash for securing a surfboard t a limb of a rider comprises a strap 9120 adapted to be fastened around the limb and a cord (36) connected to the strap at one end and attachable to the board at the other. The strap may bear ribs (30) on its inner face, and/or be shaped to match, say, the achilles region of the ankle, to prevent rotation of the strap around the limb. Either the region (32) of the strap may be shaped, or the proximal portion of the cord (34) may be bent, so that when worn the leash will assume a line offset from a line trailing directly behind the user. The above features are designed to lessen the chance of the rider becoming entangled in the leash.

Abstract: A sliding rod closure for a cabinet door hinged on a switch cabinet body having a locking mechanism which has an actuating member displaceable in the direction of rotation. The actuating member is coupled to a sliding unit that has a spaced adjusting member situated perpendicular to the sliding direction of the rotational axis of the actuating member. The adjusting member can be operated by the actuating member. The sliding rod closure can be used to meet various requirements thus resulting in an easier operation. The adjusting member can be assigned to the actuating member in a variety of assembly positions, whereby the sliding direction of the sliding unit is maintained in various assembly positions. However, the direction of rotation of the actuating member is modified or the sliding direction of the sliding unit is also modified, and the direction of rotation of the actuating member is maintained.

Abstract: An electric propulsion pod for a ship having a electric propulsion pod heat rejection member. The electric propulsion pod is attached below the ship by a hollow ship access shaft. The electric propulsion pod contains an electric motor for producing a water propulsion. The electric motor generates an amount of heat that is conducted and subsequently released into the water through the electric propulsion pod and ship access shaft surfaces. The heat rejection member is fitted for increasing the conduction and subsequent release of the electric motor heat.