Abstract: A rub rail assembly for a vehicle such as a boat is the subject of the present invention. An extrusion presents a channel that receives a resilient bumper strip. The bumper strip is designed so that deformation of it in an inwardly direction will actually lodge the strip more firmly within the channel. An integral extension of the channel presents a coupling for securing a line to the rail assembly. A second coupling is adapted to be complementally joined with the first coupling for attaching the line.

Abstract: A transfer and docking apparatus for use on variable draft marine vessels. A plurality of parallel sloping fenders extend from above the maximum draft level of the vessel to below the minimum draft level of the vessel. A stairway is provided adjacent and parallel to at least one of the fenders and is mounted inboard of the fender.

Abstract: In a drive arrangement for a ship, a flexibly mounted drive unit provides the torque for a propeller shaft. The propeller shaft can be supported in a flexibly mounted thrust bearing. A drive shaft interconnecting the drive unit and the propeller shaft includes a single length rigid shaft with a constant velocity universal joint at each end. At least one of the universal joints can absorb axial movement while both can absorb angular movement. The drive unit may consist of a drive motor or the combination of a drive motor and a reduction gear unit interconnected by a rigid shaft with a constant velocity universal joint at each of its ends.

Abstract: A bumper assembly for a marine structure is disclosed, comprising an essentially vertical frame member mounted by energy absorbing shock members at each end thereof to a stationary offshore structure, the vertical member carrying annular bumper members stacked thereon. The vertical member comprises concentric cylinders in order to extend the length thereof slightly as the shock absorbing members are actuated so that the movement of such shock absorbing members remains linear. At each end of the vertical support member, at the point of attachment of the shock absorbing member, a supporting chain or cable is attached to support such vertical member to prevent the vertical member from creating a cantilever effect on the shock absorbing members.

Abstract: An electrical isolation system is disclosed for use on sailboats having metal masts and shrouds for preventing accidental shocking or electrocution of persons who contact lower portions of the mast or shrouds and/or electrical conductors appended thereto when the top of the mast or shrouds come into contact with an electrical high voltage distribution or transmission line with the system including an insulating member separating the upper portion of the mast from a lower portion of the mast.

Abstract: In a system for interconnecting buoyant float sections in an articulated manner, a receiver assembly for automatically engaging a connector of a type having a longitudinally inclined nose section and a pair of transverse locking grooves. The receiver assembly comprises a receiver housing with an interior channel, a U-shaped locking guillotine member and a locking assembly. The locking guillotine is slideably introduced into a transverse slot in the receiver housing; it rests on a pair of locking bars in the locking assembly with the legs of the locking guillotine extending part-way into the interior channel of the receiver assembly. As the connector is extended into the channel, the legs of the locking guillotine contact the inclined surface of the connector nose section, causing the locking guillotine to slide up within the slot until aligned with the connector locking grooves. The locking guillotine then falls, the guillotine legs sliding down within the locking grooves, to effect interengagement.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of an easily operated maneuvering device for sailing boats, which gives the boat in question a maximum of maneuverability also at low travelling speeds and without causing any flow resistance worth mentioning in connection with higher speeds. The device essentially comprises a rudder positioned in the stern of the boat and exhibiting a propulsion apparatus, the power direction of which coincides with the vertical symmetrical plane of the rudder.

Abstract: A boat dock comprising a deck structure which floats in water and which provides access to shore and an elongate outrigger which floats in the water and which stabilizes the dock structure. In addition, the dock includes a lockable hinge which connects the dock structure to the outrigger. This hinge locks the outrigger in an extended position from the dock for stabilizing the dock and pivots the outrigger to a retracted position folded about the dock for collapsed storage.

Abstract: An underwater air pocket work unit has a work chamber contained within a double walled flotation chamber, the upper end of which has a resilient gasket to seal against the hull of a vessel, or other submerged structure. The work chamber is open completely through the structure to provide unobstructed access at both ends and the flotation chamber is open at the lower end. Valves are provided for admitting pressurized air to the flotation chamber to control the buoyancy for holding the structure in place, and for admitting air to the work chamber as necessary for working space. Both chambers have dump valves for releasing the air and the work chamber has window ports for holding work lights.

Abstract: A tubular duct is provided for ship propellers with blade tips having barrier plates extending transversely therefrom. The tubular ducts are effectively arranged to extend the barrier plates in a manner which, in operation, directs a fluid stream in substantially shock-free contact with such plates.

Abstract: A sailing craft is provided which has the ability to limit heeling under various headings, and which includes a deck assembly mounted for lateral movement between two outrigger type hulls. The deck assembly may be moved toward the windward side of the craft, and so that its weight and that of the crew serve to counteract heeling resulting from the wind forces. A third hull is mounted adjacent the bow portion of the deck assembly, and the three hulls are disposed in a triangular, highly stable arrangement. Also, apparatus is provided whereby the crew may selectively rotate the third hull about a vertical axis to effect steering of the craft.

Abstract: A dual buoyancy device having two external dimensions, in the smaller of which, one end is closed by an elastic sheet undistended, and in the greater of which the sheet is distended from its normal position thereby increasing the external dimension of the device; the distention of the sheet is accomplished by a thruster member bearing on the sheet which thruster is impelled by a weight and lever system actuated by gravity, which causes the thruster to distend the sheet.

Abstract: A catamaran sailboat is provided which has the ability to limit heeling from the wind forces, to thereby maximize the effective sail area and speed. The catamaran includes a deck assembly which may be selectively moved laterally between the hulls by the crew, and whereby the weight of the deck, mast, sail, rigging, and crew may all be moved in the windward direction to effectively counterbalance the wind forces. In one embodiment, the two hulls are each continuous along their full length, and in a second embodiment each hull comprises a pair of longitudinally aligned hull sections, with at least one hull section of each pair being rotatable about a vertical axis to effect steering of the craft.

Abstract: A trimaran sailboat is provided which has the ability to limit heeling under various headings, and which includes a central hull, and a boom assembly mounted laterally across the central hull and having an outrigger hull at each end thereof. The boom assembly has an arcuate curvature along its length, and is mounted so as to permit lateral movement with respect to the central hull, so that the leeward outrigger hull may be moved outwardly from the central hull and downwardly with respect thereto, to thereby increase the leverage and buoyancy of the leeward outrigger hull.

Abstract: Boat slipway for fixed or mobile set-up, comprising a framework, which can hinge around a horizontal shaft at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the framework, which shaft is supported by mobile or fixed means, the framework having at least one longitudinally telescopic part, which near its end projecting from the framework is provided with apparatus for connecting the framework with at least one floating body which can keep the framework floating on the water and with which the buoyancy can be adjusted to bring the end of the framework under the surface of the water when a boat is launched or taken out of the water.

Abstract: A multipurpose floating structure comprises a large number of flotation units joined together in a regular reticulated pattern in one or more horizontal tiers, each flotation unit comprising: a square plate; a watertight can structure of inverted conical shape fixed at its base to the lower surface of the square plate; a vertical leg column fixed at its upper end to the vertex part of the can structure; a concrete weight disposed around and supported on the leg column; and connecting fittings for connecting the corners of the square plates of four adjacent flotation units at their common meeting point.

Abstract: Strips of material having on their top surfaces a large number of closely spaced flexible loops of resilient material, and a method for bonding such strip on the top riding surface of a surfboard. Strips of flexible material having on their top surface a large number of closely spaced hooking elements of resilient material which cooperate with said flexible loops are bonded to the chest area of a wet suit carried by the surfboard rider. The device prevents the rider from sliding off the board while paddling with face down on the board, against the surf.

Abstract: A catamaran comprises a pair of inflatable tubular hulls. A longitudinal beam is secured to the top of each hull and extends along the whole length thereof. A pair of spaced cross beams are rigidly secured to the longitudinal beams. A mast may be stepped on the front cross beam and stayed to the longitudinal beams.

Abstract: A boat hull is manufactured from a sheet or blank having cut-outs or slots formed therein, such that the blank when folded and when its cut-outs along its edges are mutually connected, a boat hull without a "boxy" shape will be obtained. The cut-outs or slots have enlargements at the tip ends (apices) thereof.

Abstract: A system for mooring a ship or like floating vessel, in particular, an oil-tanker, to an off-shore column, and for transferring a fluid cargo such as gas, petroleum oil or the like, by means of at least one articulated arm carried by the vessel, wherein the improvement consists in that the arm supports at its upper end a connector device capable of being fixedly placed on a mouth-piece, provided on the head of the column, and that mooring apparatus is provided to allow the vessel, once the connector device is thus placed, to be moored through the device and to move around the latter so as to be placed in the wind's eye.