Abstract: An electro-mechanical steering device for boats, comprising a push-pull cable (11) coupled between a steering gear (3) and a steering arm (12). The cable jacket is connected with play to the gear housing. The steering gear is coupled to a command value sender (8), the signal of which is compared in an electronics unit (10) with a signal from an actual value sensor (15) (rudder indicator) coupled to the steering arm. An electrical servo motor (14) is coupled to the steering arm and is controlled by the electronics unit in response to the difference between the command value and the actual value signals.

Abstract: A self-cambering airfoil, comprising a mast to which a camber inducer member is secured for rotational movement about the axis of the mast. The camber inducer member extends rearwardly from the mast to a trailing portion having a batten realignment cavity therein. The realignment cavity receives a flexible batten element therein and accommodates recambering of the flexible batten element when the camber inducer member repositions from a first camber position thereof to a second camber position thereof. An elongate flexible batten element is positioned at a leading edge thereof in the batten realignment cavity of the camber inducer member and extends rearwardly therefrom to a trailing edge. A skin covering comprises two main panels each extending rearwardly from the mast to a trailing edge and joined to one another at their respective trailing edges to form a trailing portion of the skin covering.

Abstract: A marine drive (10) has two counter-rotating surface operating propellers (12, 14). Inner and outer concentric counter-rotating propeller shafts (40, 42) are supported by a spool assembly (38) locked and retained against rotation and against axial movement in the lower horizontal bore (28) in the torpedo (34) of the drive housing (26) by axially spaced left and right hand threads (44 and 46). A thrust bearing assembly (98) transfers thrust from the outer propeller shaft to the inner propeller shaft during rotation of the propeller shafts in opposite axial direction and is axially located between fore and aft driven gears (76 and 78). Propeller shaft sealing and bearing structure, and propeller self-centering mounting structure is provided.

Abstract: An improved strut support for propeller shafts of marine vessels is provided. The improved strut support includes a palm, a strut section and a propeller shaft bearing. The palm includes horizontal and vertical sections for mounting to the hull and transom, respectively. The strut section connects the propeller shaft bearing to the palm and is connected to the horizontal section, the vertical section and a slot disposed in the rear portion of the horizontal section for improved rigidity and propeller shaft stability.

Abstract: The invention is a modular bladder system for confining a liquid cargo and carrying such cargo in a compartment of a transporter vessel. The cargo is confined in a modular plurality of bladders and cargo-filled bladders occupy substantially the entirety of the compartment volume. In one aspect, the system isolates ballast sea water and cargo without unduly limiting vessel cargo-carrying capacity. In event of an accidental hull penetration, the system limits the quantity of the potential spill and the modular bladders can be configured to substantially fill the compartments of a particular vessel.

Abstract: First and second cargo racks are mounted on opposed sides of the cockpit entry opening on a kayak deck to mount cargo relative to the kayak structure when limited cargo space is available within the kayak. The first and second racks include pairs of rail members mounted to supporting posts to fixedly secure the rails relative to the deck of the kayak member.

Abstract: A fin for water sports boards having a urethane leading edge cover molded in place onto an anchor flange having holes therethrough on the leading edge of the fin. The fin is of glass fiber reinforced resin.

Abstract: A textured bottom surface is provided for bodyboards of the type which have a semi-rigid foam core and which are used to ride on waves such as ocean surf with the rider in a prone or procumbent position. The improved bottom surface comprises a plurality of discreet depressions formed in the bottom of the bodyboard, numbering at least 50-depressions over the entire bottom surface, and preferably numbering more than 1500 such depressions. The depressions are believed to generate bubbles in the air-water mixture passing beneath the board which help reduce the shear forces in the water. The effect is called air lubrication and results in reduced drag and greater speed, as well as a lighter "feel" for the board on water. A bodyboard incorporating the improved bottom surface, and a bottom skin for bodyboards which includes the texturing depressions, are disclosed. A method of forming the textured bottom skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A life preserver formed of a flat, rectangular sheet body made of a cellular low density polyethylene in thickness within 0.5-1.5 m/m, the sheet body including a male fastener and a female fastener aligned on the longitudinal center line of the bottom edge thereof at two opposite ends, a zip fastener on the longitudinal center line of the bottom thereof at the center, self-sticking fastening elements longitudinally symmetrically aligned along two opposite longer sides of teh bottom edge thereof, and male and female snap fasteners alternatively arranged along the border of the top edgte thereof. The zip fastener is unfastened for inserting the user's head. With the fastening elements thereof respectively connected together, the life preserver is put on the user to serve as a life jacket.

Abstract: A generally elongate fitting has, at a distal end, a hook for hooking an external object, and, at a proximal end, an eye and a cleat for attaching a rope. An eye hook with an eye at its proximal end, a hook at its distal end, and a connecting shank between the hook and the eye is formed integrally with a modified cleat that has both (i) a pair of projecting arms and (ii) a projecting arm. The pair of projecting arms extends proximally from the region of the eye so as to form a "V" channel between them. The projecting arm extends distally from the region of the eye at an incline to the shank so as to form another "V" channel. Both channels are suitable to compressively engage a rope that is forcibly wedged within such channel. A rope slipped through the eye is pulled taught against the eye, and not against either channel, until, a desired tension in the rope having been achieved, the rope is easily, while still held taut, angled into that channel of the cleat which is formed between the two projecting arms.

Abstract: A recreational boat having an engine housing for covering an inboard engine, and an arm pivotally mounted on the engine housing for movement between a lower position in which the arm is stored in an elongated recessed opening in the housing, and a raised position in which a portion of the arm is disposed above the engine housing, and a flexible fabric boat cover which overlies the boat and is supported by the arm in its raised position.

Abstract: A boat cover assembly includes a boat cover (12) mounted to a plurality of posts assemblies (28), (30), and (32). Each post assembly has a foot section (34) or (80), a post member (48), and a upper section (50). The upper section (50) has a batten member (64) mounted in a channel (56) and extending laterally into sleeves (65) sewn into the cover (12). The cover also has a chord (90) in the hem line (18) to tighten the cover about the boat hull (11) below its rub line (88). Straps (20) and (21) are secured to cover (12) and mounted about the underside (85) of the hull (11) and fastened together to secure the cover to the boat.

Abstract: A device which is a translucent boat or ship cleat constructed of polyurethane. The cleat is molded as one piece and can be either clear or have color added such as international orange. The cleat has a recess in its base in which a light source can be placed. Lighting such as incandescent, neon or LED may be used. The cleat can be powered from an external source either AC or DC. The cleat can also have solar cells placed in its horns which can store energy in storage cells mounted with the cleat at its base for powering LED during non-sunlight hours. The illuminated cleat makes it easy to locate the mooring for a boat in the dark. It also makes the cleat visible for the safety of persons walking on the mooring structure. The polyurethane construction provides for a lighter, more durable, and less abrasive device fo boat moorings.

Abstract: A lightweight, high strength, water ski hydrofoil assembly includes a diamond planform hydrofoil wing and a V-strut connecting the wing to a parallel ski support platform. The diamond planform wing is formed as a unit and the separately formed V-strut and platform secured thereto. The wing is provided with a foam plastic, aluminum or composite core element, while the V-strut and platform are provided with core elements selected from aluminum or aluminum alloys, composites and balsa wood. In the preferred embodiment, the core elements are provided with an intermediate layer of molded composite material (resin impregnated fiberglass and graphite fibers, or cloth) and an outer layer of rubber. The rubber coating may be applied to the core elements by injection molding, and confined to the leading and trailing edges of the components, with the intermediate layer being omitted, in some embodiments.

Abstract: A generally elongate fitting has a distal-end region for affixing an external object, a mid-region eye, and a proximal-end region for attaching a rope. In one embodiment, the distal-end and middle regions are configured as an eye hook having an eye at its proximal end, a hook at its distal end, and a connecting shank between the hook and the eye. In another embodiment, the distal-end region is configured as a base member bolt-mounted to the external object, a rotating member rotatably mounted to the base member, and an arm pivotally mounted to the rotating member, forming thereby a swivel joint. In this embodiment the mid-region's eye is integrally within the arm. In both embodiments the distal- and mid-regions are formed integrally with a proximal-end region defining one or more "V" channels. In one embodiment "V" channels are formed as a modified cleat having both (i) a pair of projecting arms and (ii) one or more additional projecting arms.

Abstract: Two angle brackets secure a severely swept plastic wing-like propeller guard to the sides of the motor housing or skeg. The left and right wing-like projections have a horizontal center wing segment oriented parallel the axis of propeller rotation, and upturned outer wing segments that are provided in the plane of propeller rotation.

Abstract: A pneumatic mattress is arranged to include a recess within a pneumatic chamber of a plurality of pneumatic chambers to permit positioning of an anchor to provide for storage and transport of the anchor during periods of non-use. The anchor is arranged with annular upper and lower anchor ribs to enhance engagement for securement and tethering of the mattress.

Abstract: A water tight prehung door for a ship bulkhead, the door being formed from a plate with a peripheral band welded thereto, being stiffened by a plurality of channels extending from one side of the door to the other and having elongated dimples in the plate disposed between the channels; a double directional gasket which buckles when closed is contained in a partial enclosure and cooperates with a dogging mechanism utilizing a parallel bar linkage which moves rollers over wedge shaped lugs to dog the door closed and form a water tight seal irrespective of which side of the door is subjected to pressure.

Abstract: An electric power system for large marine vehicles in which one or more AC generators are shared as the ship's propulsion power source and the ship's electrical service power source. The voltage from the AC generator(s) is rectified to a reduced DC voltage such that voltage transients in the propulsor motor do not reflect into the ship service power system. Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) bridges are utilized to convert the generator's AC voltage into a reduced DC voltage. As a supplement for emergency power, a rechargeable battery is included to provide power for propulsion and ship service.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of small lightweight outboard motors adapted to be mounted on a watercraft that does not have a transom through a mounting bracket that spans the sides of the hull and is detachably affixed thereto. The outbaord motor is powered by small internal combustion engine that is contained within the lower unit and at least partially submerged beneath the body of water in which the watercraft is operating. Excess cooling of the engine is avoided by circulating at least a portion of the exhaust gases from the exhaust port around the exterior of the internal combustion engine. The engine is powered by a gaseous fuel contained under pressure in a container that is mounted on the mounting portion. Variations in placement and orientation of pressure regulators are disclosed so that fuel pressure will be constant regardless of the trim adjustment of the outboard motor.