Abstract: A system for lashing a tender assist drilling unit (TADU) to a floating production platform includes a plurality of winches on the forward end of the TADU, a plurality of sheaves on the upper portion of the hull of the platform, a plurality of connection devices on the lower portion of the hull of the platform, and a set of lashing lines, each of which extends from one of the winches, through a corresponding one of the sheaves, and vertically down alongside the platform hull to a corresponding one of the connection devices to which it is attached. The winches are operable to reel in and to pay out the lashing lines to control the separation distance so as to maintain an optimal operational separation distance during normal environmental conditions, while allowing the separation distance to be increased in severe conditions.

Abstract: The rotating davit apparatus is for fit next to a boat arch. The apparatus is also provided with a modified arch, as desired by the customer. The apparatus is designed to blend into the shape of boat arches, and is thus provided in a plurality of sizes and lift arm angle variations. The apparatus can be used singularly or in pairs, triplet, or as a quad installation wherein 4 apparatuses are mated to the arch. The apparatus provides utility as well as aesthetic appeal. The basic design provides for relatively inexpensive production and sale.

Abstract: Sports board (15) comprising an elongated expanded closed-cell polyolefin foam layer (16) having a foam thickness and opposed surfaces (18, 19), a first polyolefin sheet layer (23) having a thickness less than the foam thickness and having an inner surface (25) and an outer surface (24), an intermediate metallocene-based polyolefin layer (20) having an inner surface (22) and an outer surface (21) and a thickness less than the foam thickness, the intermediate layer bonded on its inner surface to the foam layer and bonded on its outer surface to the inner surface of the first layer. The intermediate layer may comprise an ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer and may comprise a copolymer of ethylene and octene.

Abstract: A fouling removal system for use in a water-jet drive system is described. The fouling removal system includes a cutter arm assembly and an optional cutter stud. The cutter arm assembly includes a pivotable cutting blade located adjacent to the intake grate and arranged to sever any debris, such as seaweed and eel grass, clogging the intake grate. The cutter arm assembly may be tied into existing watercraft hydraulic systems to use a hydraulic cylinder to cause movement of the cutting blade across the surface of the intake grate. The optional cutter stud is located adjacent to the impeller within the water-jet drive system housing. The cutter stud acts to sever debris associated with the impeller blades, which, if left on the blades, would reduce the efficiency of the impeller. The present fouling system is capable of removing debris from the intake grate and impeller of a water-jet drive while a watercraft is stationary or is operating at any speed, including full speed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for positioning seismic streamers are described, one apparatus comprising a body, the body adapted to be connected to a seismic streamer, the body defining at least one flow passage there through, and a diverter adapted to selectively adjust flow through the flow passage. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of for providing a spinnaker pole are disclosed herein. A spinnaker pole as disclosed herein comprises a first elongated face, a second elongated face, a third elongated face, a first tapering, and a second tapering. The first elongated face concaves towards the longitudinal axis of the spinnaker pole. The first elongated face can have two longitudinal sides. A second elongated face concaves towards the longitudinal axis of the spinnaker pole. The second elongated face has two longitudinal sides. One of the two longitudinal sides of the second elongated face is joined to one of the two longitudinal sides of the first face at a first spinnaker pole edge. The third elongated face concaves towards the longitudinal axis of the spinnaker pole. The third elongated face has two longitudinal sides. One of the two longitudinal sides of the third elongated face is joined to one of the longitudinal sides of the first elongated face at a second spinnaker pole edge.

Abstract: A nozzle drive propulsion assembly for use with a marine craft and incorporating an annularly configured nozzle disposed in surrounding relation to a propeller collectively mounted exteriorly of the marine craft and preferably, at least partially, within an elongate recessed channel formed in the hull. A strut assembly is connected to the nozzle in transverse relation to a trailing open end thereof, downstream of the propeller and in at least partially supporting relation to the propeller. The nozzle includes a collection assembly including a water collecting chamber incorporating a pitot-type structure for directing water into the collecting chamber and along a path of fluid flow in the strut assembly to a thrust member mounted on the strut assembly. A rudder assembly and a deflector structure are secured to an exterior of the nozzle and function to determine the craft's direction of travel.

Abstract: A leash mount for floating boards has a base and a cap. The base has a seat and a connecting assembly protruding from the seat. The connecting assembly is has a connecting tube and a leash tie hole. The connecting tube has at least one pair of mounting recesses. The pairs of mounting recesses are formed diametrically on the connecting tube. The cap is rotatably mounted detachably in the connecting tube and has multiple bosses. The bosses correspond to and are mounted in the mounting recesses to hold the leash mount securely. Therefore, a leash tie can be mounted on a surfboard through the leash tie hole of the leash mount easily and securely whilst being remolded quickly for cleaning or maintenance.

Abstract: A kayak comprises a hull with a relatively narrow cross sectional underwater width for increasing speed and efficiency of the kayak moving through water and first and second pairs of convex surfaces for providing kayak stability.

Abstract: A personal watercraft with a supercharging device and an intercooler is disclosed. The personal watercraft may include an engine, a water jet pump, a propeller shaft to transmit an output power of the engine to the water jet pump, and a bearing case configured to support a front portion of the propeller shaft. The personal watercraft may further include a supercharging device configured to pressurize air taken in from outside and supplied to the engine, an intercooler configured to cool the air pressurized and compressed by the supercharging device, and a pump room which is formed on a bottom surface of a rear end portion of the body and is configured to accommodate the water jet pump therein. The intercooler may be positioned forward of the pump room and behind the engine and may be mounted to an upper surface of the bearing case.

Abstract: A bowsprit, or spar, for supporting a spinnaker sail at the front of a sailboat is mounted on the deck of the sailboat. The bowsprit is retractable and extendable in telescoping fashion and includes a rope or tack line extending from the forward end thereof that connects to the corner or tack of the spinnaker sail. The aft or back end of the bowsprit is clipped to the mast and may be unclipped therefrom and secured to the deck so as to position the bowsprit at an angle to the boat to present the spinnaker sail to the wind. The present bowsprit is mounted along the midline of the boat and extends through a swivel bridle that connects the forestay to the deck. Extension of the bowsprit is accomplished by pulling a line connected to the inner pole of the bowsprit and passing around a pulley so that the inner pole slides out to an extended position from the outer sleeve of the bowsprit.

Abstract: An outboard motor 1 has a cowling 10 of a two-piece structure including a top cowl 11 and a bottom cowl 12. Mating portions of the top and bottom cowls include a watertight seal. A first, horizontally-directed sealing portion is not visible from outside the cowling. A second, vertically-directed sealing portion is positioned inwardly from the first sealing portion. In some embodiments, an elongate rib depends from the top cowl generally into the bottom cowl. In other embodiments, the second sealing portion is positioned generally above the first sealing portion.

Abstract: An automatic inflation device is provided which features a trigger and release system for use in an armed-static condition and which is advantageous in that it significantly reduces the force acting on a dissolvable tablet in the release mechanism and thereby extends the operating life of the automatic inflation device in the presence of high humidity. The device preferably operates using a male and female housing with a manifold to allow expanding gas to escape and a compressed concentric spring encompassing a CO2 cylinder subassembly, and the triggering sequence includes a degradable element which triggers the inflation device upon losing its structural integrity, which causes an extending spring to drive the CO2 cylinder toward a puncture pin.

Abstract: A marine propulsion steering apparatus includes a steering nozzle having a central opening therethrough which surrounds a marine propulsion drive shaft and propeller extending from a hull or propulsion module. The nozzle is pivotally mounted for angular movement in a predetermined range of movement on the support structure for the drive shaft for directing flow of water from the propeller in response to pivotal motion controlled by a steering mechanism.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method of use that involves a movable cleat on a boat. The movable cleat includes a base neck supporting two cleat arms above two cleat channels on both sides of the base neck, a base tunnel and two base apertures. One aspect of the invention involves use of the apparatus with a boat having a slotted toe rail around the periphery of the deck, from which is desired to be hung bumpers using the movable cleat and a bumper line at any desired point. The movable cleat may also be used elsewhere on a boat, especially a sailboat. Several such applications are to tie up the mainsail along the boom such as, but not limited to, when reefing, typing up a lowered head said to the life line, and tying up a lowered head sail to the toe rail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved amphibious craft or vehicle and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a craft or vehicle that may be used for commercial and rescue tasks in a great variety of weather conditions. To achieve this, an amphibious vehicle comprises a fixed geometry planing hull (2) and a skirt system (4). This has as an advantage that the fixed geometry planing hull (2) allows the craft or vehicle to operate in high waves, strong winds or other adverse conditions too severe for known hovercraft of a similar size, while the skirt system (4) contains a cushion of air providing the craft or vehicle with a full amphibious capability so that the craft can operate as a conventional hovercraft in good conditions or enter and leave water in any conditions.

Abstract: A boat cover support has a disc member placed against the cover. A vertical strut is received in a socket extending downward from the disc member. The socket has two opposed, semicircular walls to receive a circular strut. The ends of the socket walls are integral with the recesses. The ends of the socket walls are spaced apart to form a transverse notch through the socket to receive a rectangular strut. The disc member has slots arrayed in groups of three around the periphery. Straps extending from the slots outward are attached to the boat structure to stabilize the cover support. The disc member has four recesses with walls extending downward to reinforce the disc member and the socket. Lines extending from the recesses outward are attached to the boat structure to stabilize the cover support. Each recess has an interior cavity to receive a terminal knot in the line so as not to abrade the boat cover. A step is placed against the boat sole, to prevent the strut from slipping transversely.

Abstract: A water-jet propulsion personal watercraft is disclosed, including a multiple-cylinder engine mounted in a body of the watercraft and configured to drive a water jet pump configured to propel the watercraft, and a mechanically driven supercharger configured to supply air taken in from outside to the engine. The engine typically has air-intake ports configured to open toward one side relative to the engine and exhaust ports configured to open toward an opposite side relative to the engine. The supercharger is typically disposed on the one side relative to the engine.

Abstract: A watercraft drain assembly has a tubular drain body having a first end and a second end, at least one inlet opening disposed on the drain body for allowing water to enter the drain body, a first outlet opening disposed at the first end of the drain body for allowing water to exit the drain body, a drain plug for selectively plugging the first outlet opening, and a second outlet opening disposed on the drain body for allowing water to exit the drain body. A watercraft incorporating the watercraft drain assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A folding platform for mounting to an outer surface of a watercraft includes a platform, a hinge base attached to the outer surface of the watercraft, and a hinge arm pivotally coupled to both the hinge base and the platform. The hinge arm operates to position the platform in a deployed position and a stowed position. A top side of the platform in the deployed position faces away from the outer surface of the watercraft in the stowed position. Where the outer surface of the watercraft is curved, one of a plurality of hinge bases may be pivotally attached to the surface, such that a corresponding plurality of hinge arms move in substantially parallel planes. The hinge arm may be adjustably coupled to the platform such that the position of the hinge arm is capable of being adjusted along the axis of rotation of the pivotal coupling of the hinge arm to the platform.