Abstract: A boat with a unique hull that stabilizes watercraft during turning conditions in water, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the side-to-side oscillation that is typical of prior art craft undergoing this maneuver. To achieve this enhanced stability, the hull has a series of ridges or troughs, or both, to disrupt laminar flow along the hull, when the craft turns. This disruption of laminar flow stabilizes the hull and substantially eliminates side-to-side oscillation.

Abstract: Assembly of elements forming a mixed-hull inflatable boat which can be converted into a closed box for its storage/transport, including: an elongated rigid shell (1) with a profiled extremity (2) and the other extremity closed off by a transversal bulkhead (6); an inflatable tube (7) solidly attached to the shell (1) at least along its lateral edges; and a rigid panel (9) the peripheral contour of which follows that of the peripheral edge of the shell (1) and can be fixed in a removable fashion to it; thanks to which the assembly of elements can be configured for transport/storage with the tube (7) deflated and folded away in the shell (1) and the rigid panel (9) mounted on and locked to the shell to close it and form a closed box; and a navigation configuration with the panel (9) separated from the shell (1) and the inflatable body (7) inflated under pressure forming, together with the shell (1) forming a rigid hull, a mixed-hull boat.

Abstract: Device for attaching an oar (3) to the peripheral inflatable cushion (1) of an inflatable dinghy, characterized in that it comprises: a base (5) secured to the inflatable cushion (1) and having a retaining head (7), and a fastener (4) comprising, on the one hand, a mounting root shaped to complement the retaining head (7) so that it can be clipped removably onto this head and, on the other hand, above the said root, a ring (11) that can be deformed elastically in the radial direction and is shaped to grip tightly and elastically around the shaft (12) of an oar (3).

Abstract: A muscle-powered watercraft includes flotation and propulsion structure having at least two blades which remain rigid under the stresses that are subjected to. The front edges of the blades are hinged about respective axes transverse to the watercraft's axis of propulsion, spaced from one another along the axis of propulsion on either side of the watercraft's center of gravity. Each of these blades extends symmetrically from the axis of propulsion. Abutment structure limits the angle of freedom of each blade about its hinging axis, and the volume of water displaceable by immersion of the flotation structure is selected to correspond to 1 to 2 times the total laden weight of the watercraft. The flotation structure has feet-supporting surfaces distributed about the craft's center of gravity, whereby a driver may impart to the watercraft a sinusoidal movement in and out of the water by pitching the craft and hence making the blades operate in opposition to one another between the abutments.

Abstract: A Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy (1) comprises a body (2) with buoyancy, elements (3) for connecting the buoyant body to catenary anchor chains to anchor the body to the seabed, a turntable (5) rotatable elements with respect to the body with buoyancy. The turntable has devices (6, 6') for a floating unit such as a vessel, a swivel and elements for connecting at least one hose (8, 8') between at least one swivel and a submerged pipe structure extending over or into the seabed to any subsea well or the like, as well as elements for connecting at least one hose (9) between at least one swivel and at least one vessel (7), wherein the CALM buoy is provided with catenary anchor chains (4) which have a weight such that the CALM buoy as a whole is kept underwater at least during normal practice.

Abstract: A propeller for a marine propulsion system that provides variable length exhaust paths depending upon the speed of the boat and motor. The propeller includes a propeller hub and an exhaust tube positioned within the propeller hub. The exhaust tube extends past the aft end of the propeller hub and defines a first exhaust passageway. A second exhaust passageway is positioned between the propeller hub and the exhaust tube. The second exhaust passageway is shorter than the first exhaust passageway. At low speeds, engine exhaust exits the longer first passageway, while at moderate speeds, engine exhaust exits the shorter second passageway. Therefore, the effective length of the exhaust path varies depending upon the speed of the motor, such that the length of the exhaust path is specifically tuned to several speeds of the motor.

Abstract: A trigger device enabling a larger actuating force to be restrained by a smaller control force comprises a housing in which is rotatably mounted a primary lever biased to rotate from a cocked position to a firing position by a tension spring. The tension spring is located such that the rotational bias to the primary lever is significantly greater in the firing position than in the cocked position. The trigger device is typically used for both automatic and manual release of compressed gas from a bottle to an inflatable life-saving aid by way of a piercing pin moved by a cam surface on a secondary lever which can be manually rotated by a toggle or automatically by the primary lever on the dissolving of a water-soluble tablet restraining the primary lever in the cocked position.

Abstract: A hollow shaft (10) capped at both ends (60a/b) contains a fluid (40) encompassing approximately half the volume of the shaft. The shaft is inlaid to a cavity (50), fitting snugly into a wood stringer (20). When stringer is assembled for shapable mode, foam blanks (30a/b) have been glued to it for a workable product.

Abstract: A rig on a sailboat adapted to be mounted on a deck or cabin top of the boat, the rig having a mast, mast step, vertical stabilizing structure for the mast. The rig is mounted for rotation about a center and may be provided with more than one mast.

Abstract: A fin assembly for mounting to a lower surface of a watercraft hull comprises a base for attachment in a fixed position to a watercraft hull lower surface, the base having first hinge pin receiving bores defining a hinge axis, a fin having an inner end having second pin receiving bores for pivotally securing to the base for pivoting about the hinge axis, and a hinge pin mounted in the first and the second hinge receiving means pivotally connecting the fin to the base, and an elastomeric member disposed between the base and the fin for resisting pivotal movement of the fin relative to the base

Abstract: A rowboat with a pair of permanantly mounted wheels installed in the middle of opposed sides of bottom of boat. A pair of wheel wells isolate the wheels from interior of boat, thereby removing most of the wheels from exposure to turbulance and drag. The wheels are supported by and rotate around an axle. The axle is cradled in a recess molded into bottom of boat. A pair of skegs or keels are molded into boat and aligned longitudinally with direction of wheel travel. Fastened to bottom of skegs is a replacable plastic wear resistant tube split in half longitudinally. Thus providing a rowboat that is easy to move on land as well as water and has significant wear resistance on bottom.

Abstract: A protective cover for an outboard motor mounted on a boat transom including a flexible, bag-shaped covering to enclose the motor, a closure attached to the covering at the neck to close the neck tightly around an upper part of the motor adjacent the transom; a resistance heating element secured to the interior wall of the covering; and a thermostat to activate the heating element when the temperature within the cavity formed by the covering is below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: In prior stern drive marine propulsion systems, power is transmitted through an arrangement of clutches, bevel gears and shafts to the propeller located below the water surface. This restricts the amount of torque which can be transmitted particularly for large commercial boats. The present invention therefore provides an outdrive designed to surpass the horsepower and torque limitations set by current state-of-the-art units. In order to meet these objectives the outdrive was designed to incorporate a multi-strand roller chain drive, replacing the conventional bevel gear arrangement. Using a chain drive in this application serves to increase durability of the outdrive, while keeping the outercasing very streamlined.

Abstract: A steering device for a motor attached to a boat which device includes an elongated steering arm having electrical means for starting and stopping the motor, the steering arm secured within a clutch mechanism wherein clutch sleeves are tightly rotatably mounted within a circular plate mounted on an internal shaft causing a drag on the steering arm when moved vertically positioning the steering arm at a desired position and where horizontal movement of the steering arm steers the boat.

Abstract: This a system for attaching a weather proof cover on to a boat that has protection for its interior. The cover assembly has a male/female connections that seals in a rubberized channel to make it weather tight. This improved cover attaches in four-piece assembly that slides on to the boat depending on boat specifications. All pieces of cover should be attached in there proper position. Holes on the lip of each panel should lined up in order to insert the thumb screws needed to hold down the cover in all four pieces. This design uses the boat's gunwales underside to hold each piece down before anyone can insert the screws. The profile of the hard top shell is custom designed to the shape of the boat for weatherized protection.

Abstract: A mooring chain is guided for movement through the frame of a chain stopper along a pair of upright rails, with vertical links of the chain received between the rails and horizontal links of the chain riding on top of the rails. A pawl is swingably mounted on the frame above the rails with inner legs of the pawl engaging a horizontal link of the chain at opposite sides of an adjacent vertical link. The pawl has outer legs which extend downward to a release pin. The release pin has grooves positioned to receive the bottom ends of the outer legs and prevent the pawl from moving in a direction which will allow loosening of the chain, unless the release pin is freed for rotation through an angle of about 90.degree.. The release pin is connected to a trigger assembly including a spinner block which is normally held against rotation by a trigger finger. Movement of the trigger finger frees the spinner block and thereby allows the release pin to move from a pawl-engaging to a pawl-released position.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for using a bicycle not only on land but also as a type of watercraft has two oblong connected inflatable floats, a propulsion unit including a propeller and a clutch unit picking up a motion from a tire of a bicycle rearwheel, a rearjoint device for connection between rear parts of the floats and rear upper and lower forks of the bicycle, and a front joint device for connection a front of the floats with a lower bar of a bicycle frame, a quick-coupling clamp to which the clutch unit is fixed and which is securable to a bar of a saddle of the bicycle frame and connected to the propulsion unit by a flexible shaft so that by turning of pedals and therefore a rear wheel of the bicycle, movement is transferred through the flexible shaft to the propulsion unit, an element for connecting the two floats, a element for securing the bicycle, and the propulsion unit being formed so that the apparatus can be stowed inside shoulder packs and rucksacks for easy transport while riding the bicycle or ca

Abstract: A submarine hull has integrally defined fuel tankage tubes surrounding an ner skin, and a structural foam core in the interstitial annular space not occupied by the tubing. An outer skin completes the structure, both inner and outer skins are of composite construction.

Abstract: An ice rescue vehicle used to aid a victim who has fallen through thin ice. The ice rescue vehicle is capable of traveling over ice, water, a broken ice and water mixture, mud, snow and solid ground. The vehicle has a buoyant hollow sled pulled behind a traction wheel that includes a plastic, buoyant, rotating drum. The drum has a number of fins to propel the vehicle in water. Mounted to the fins are three annular rings having tangs for traction on ice. A small internal combustion engine provides power to turn the drum via two gear belt drives on each side of the drum. Handle bars are used to steer the vehicle, and a throttle control, similar to those used on motorcycles, provides the rescuer with a means to control the engine and vehicle speed. The sled and drum both provide flotation during travel over broken ice and open water.

Abstract: An integrated system for land and water recreation such that when in a flotation mode, a propeller and rudder are powered and controlled by a standard bicycle; that when in a terrestrial mode, the integrated system is powered and trailered by the same bicycle. The flotation device having a propeller drive assembly and steerable rudder for use with any standard bicycle frame allowing an individual the ability to have a self-propelled water craft. The device utilizes a standard bicycle, having only the wheels removed, to provide power and steering. The bicycle is mounted to the flotation device with the chain wrapped around the chain drive sprocket of the propeller drive assembly. Because the chain drive sprocket is a standard Shimano sprocket, the bicycle's rear derailleur may be used to shift gears. The operator may pedal the device across a body of water, then remove the bicycle frame and remount the tires to continue travel over land.