Abstract: An air intake structure for an outboard engine wherein air which is taken in from an air intake opening provided in an engine cover for covering the upper part of the outboard engine is supplied to and sucked into a throttle body. The engine cover has an air intake opening which is open at the front of the outboard engine in the forward movement direction and a lid member which can open and close the air intake opening. A space which connects the air intake opening and the throttle body is provided separated from an engine room.

Abstract: A watersports boat includes a hull having an underside extending from a forward bow to an aft transom along a longitudinal centerline. The underside defines a running surface that contacts water when the hull moves therein. The underside includes one or more features that enhance the boat's performance.

Abstract: A boat drive has an underwater housing (10) which is arranged outside of a boat hull (7) and can swivel relative to the boat hull (7) about a vertical swivel axis (11). In the housing at least one propeller shaft (13) is mounted and can be driven. A swivel drive mechanism is arranged in the inside space (6) of the boat hull (7) for swiveling the underwater housing (10) in order to control the driving direction of the boat. A zero-position mark (25) is provided on an element of the swivel drive mechanism, which facilitates easy determination of a zero position of the underwater housing (10).

Abstract: A hydrofoil having an integrated yoke-bridge to preclude expansion of the channel defined by the yoke when the hydrofoil is secured to the cavitation plate. The single piece hydrofoil is secured to the cavitation by lateral screws passing through the hydrofoil and engaging the side of the cavitation plate. Additionally, one or two holes are optionally drilled through the single piece hydrofoil and through the cavitation plate followed by insertion of bolts passing through the hydrofoil and the cavitation plate.

Abstract: A structure, such as a fin or water sports board, including a core having opposed first and second core outer surfaces. The structure further includes first and second fiber sheets, wherein the first fiber sheet extends along the first core outer surface and the second fiber sheet extends along the second core outer surface. A thermoplastic material impregnates the first fiber sheet and the second fiber sheet and bonds the first fiber sheet and the second fiber sheet to the core. The thermoplastic material defines an outer surface of the structure.

Abstract: Wakesurf and wakeboard boats are provided which include a component positioned along and/or within the hull and an actuator coupled to the component for moving an end of the component outward from the hull and retracting the end of the component to be in proximity with the hull. In some embodiments, the component is spaced forward of a vertical plane comprising the forwardmost point of the transom. Methods for creating a wake behind a boat are also provided which include listing a boat to one side via a listing component disposed on such a side and moving a component disposed within or coupled to an exterior surface of the hull on the opposing side of the boat. The component is moved outwardly from the exterior surface of the hull such that a distal free end of the component is spaced from the exterior surface when the boat is listed.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device includes an engine, a driving shaft coupled to the engine and configured to transmit power, a first cooling water pump configured to be driven by the driving force of the driving shaft and to pump cooling water to cool the engine, a cooling water path configured to supply the cooling water sent by the first cooling water pump to the engine, and a pressurization mechanism arranged in a water passage upstream of a suction port of the first cooling water pump and configured to apply pressure to the cooling water supplied to the suction port of the first cooling water pump.

Abstract: A human powered aerodynamic amphibious recumbent vehicle having an outer shell that operates as the cycle exoskeleton, aerodynamic fairing, and boat hull. The vehicle includes a propulsion design adding paddles to the front drive wheels or pairing traditional pedaling to a propeller mounted on a kayak rudder via a flexible axle. Composite materials are used to form the vehicle and allow it to remain lightweight, abrasion tolerant, structurally rigid under rigorous operating conditions, and waterproof. The vehicle can enter and exit the water by riding directly in and out, or can be lifted by one person safely.

Abstract: A vessel with auxiliary steering includes a vessel hull with a bow/stern centerline and a port and starboard side. The vessel has (i) a main propulsion unit including at least one propeller and at least one main rudder, and (ii) a secondary propulsion unit including at least one directional water jet thruster on each of the port and starboard side of the vessel hull. The water jet thrusters are configured to direct water outwardly and perpendicularly to the centerline of the hull, and a control system coordinates the direction of the main rudder and the flow direction of at least one water jet thruster.

Abstract: A personal watercraft has a hull having an exhaust aperture and a longitudinal centerline, a deck disposed on the hull, a straddle seat, an engine, a driveshaft operatively connected to the engine and extending rearwardly thereof, a jet propulsion system operatively connected to the driveshaft, an exhaust manifold connected to a lateral side on the engine on a first side of the longitudinal centerline, the exhaust manifold having a manifold outlet, a muffler disposed generally transversely and rearwardly of the engine, the muffler having a muffler inlet on the first side of the longitudinal axis and a muffler outlet, a first exhaust pipe connected to the manifold outlet and to the muffler inlet, and a second exhaust pipe connected to the muffler outlet and to the exhaust aperture. The second exhaust pipe extends upwardly and rearwardly from the muffler outlet, then downwardly and rearwardly to the exhaust aperture.

Abstract: A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a dog clutch that selectively engages either a front gear or a rear gear, an intermediate shaft rotatably supported by the front gear and by the rear gear and that rotates together with the dog clutch, a propeller shaft to which rotation of the intermediate shaft is transmitted, a lower case containing a drive gear and other elements, and a thrust transmitting member that receives a forward-direction thrust from the propeller shaft and that transmits the thrust to the lower case without transmitting the thrust to the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foldout stern-lowering means (1) which constitutes an integral part of the watercraft (38) and has at least three sectors (A, B, C) which can be walked on and optionally three further sectors (D, E, F) which can be walked on, with three different foldout modes: gangway, stairs and tender, with a safety means on the lifting means (18) in order always to return the stern-lowering means (1) into the starting position, and a safety means by means of an emergency lifting means (31) for people, and also to compensate for the additional weight of a stern-lowering means (1) by means of buoyancy means (39, 39a) and to increase the comfort while underway and before anchoring, assisted by slosh plates (40).

Abstract: An inflatable water craft for underwater observation, the craft incorporating an integral underwater viewing window which includes a top and bottom transparent lens sonic welded to the craft intermediate a cavity which passes through the top and bottom of the craft forming a viewing port. Inflatable stand-offs protect the bottom lens. The top and bottom lenses includes a closeable vent. An inflatable pillow is sonic welded proximal the top transparent lens. Inflatable boarding guides center the user on the craft and air chambers support the user's body weight thereby preventing sagging or bending of the craft. The craft may further comprise a hand-held device for wading and swimming activities. Use of sonic welding and specific materials prevents undesired leakage into viewing port and prevents discoloration of the top and bottom lenses.

Abstract: A cowl assembly for an outboard motor includes first and second cowl members. A fastening assembly includes a latch coupled to one of the cowl members, and a retaining mechanism coupled to the other of the cowl members. The latch and the retaining mechanism engage one another to fasten the first and second cowl members together. A seal is configured to form a fluid tight joint between the cowl members. A shape memory alloy wire is coupled to at least one of the latch and the seal. A switch is configured to selectively provide electrical current to the shape memory alloy wire to activate the shape memory alloy wire. Activation of the shape memory alloy wire causes at least one of disengagement of the latch from the retaining mechanism and disengagement of the seal from one of the first and second cowl members, enabling separation of the cowl members.

Abstract: A midsection housing for an outboard motor includes a driveshaft housing having an oil sump provided therein. An adapter plate is coupled to a top of the driveshaft housing. The adapter plate has an inner surface along which oil from an engine mounted on the adapter plate drains into the oil sump. First and second pockets are formed in an outer surface of the adapter plate on first and second generally opposite sides thereof, the first and second pockets configured to receive first and second mounts therein. A water jacket is formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the adapter plate. The water jacket extends at least partway between the inner surface of the adapter plate and each of the first and second pockets, respectively. A method for cooling a mount is also provided.

Abstract: A wing releasing system is provided for releasing at least one wing of a set of wing or wings of a navigation control device. The navigation control device is adapted for controlling depth and/or lateral position of a towed acoustic linear antenna and includes a body to which is attached the set of wing or wings. The wing releasing system includes: a releasing decision circuit, for generating a release request signal when detecting that a foreign object is caught by at least one wing of the set of wing or wings; and an actuator comprised in the navigation control device, for releasing from the body the at least one wing of the set of wing or wings, when receiving the release request signal.

Abstract: A boat drive (1) with an upper drive portion (3), arranged inside a hull (2) of the boat, and a pivoting lower drive portion (4), arranged outside the hull (2) of the boat. The boat drive (1) passes through an opening (6) in the bottom of the hull (2) of the boat, forming an annular gap (5) that surrounds a periphery of the boat drive, and a sealing arrangement (10) is arranged in the area of the annular gap (5). The sealing arrangement (10) is designed as a sliding seal.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for shallow waters, swamps, savannahs and the like includes a rotating propeller shaft supporting a propeller. An anti-cavitation body defines a partial cylinder having a longitudinal axis adjacent to the propeller. The propeller generates a vacuum between the anti-cavitation body and a surface of a water body. First and second wings adjacent to edges of the anti-cavitation body are generally planar and operatively angled towards the bottom of a water body. The first and second wings are adjusted to run below the water body surface and seal the anti-cavitation body to maintain generated vacuum. A first thread is cut in a first helical direction at an end of the rotating propeller shaft adjacent the propeller, and slightly more distal therefrom a second thread is cut in a second helical direction opposed to the first thread helical direction. The second thread drives matter away from the bearing.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a helm, a control head, and a joystick. The helm and control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a first CAN network. The joystick and the control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a second CAN network. The helm may provide user inputted steering commands on the first CAN network. The control head may provide user inputted shift and throttle commands on the second CAN network. The joystick may provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on either the first CAN network or the second CAN network.

Abstract: The invention described herein teaches that one drilling barge can be employed in two different areas. The standard drilling practice requires two vessels to perform the same work as one drilling barge invention. Standard drilling rigs require that one unit will drill well locations in water depths of 8?-18?. A second drilling unit must be provided to drill in water depths of 18?-60?. As a result of this invention, water depths of 8?-60? can be provided by use of the one vessel employing the novel stabilization system. The service area's coverage is increased greatly by use of the invention thereby creating excellent cost reduction and improved drilling procedures in remote and harsh drilling areas. The invention's cost is slightly more than the standard drilling barge however; coverage of the service area can be 500% greater than the standard vessel's coverage.