Abstract: A thruster unit for generating side thrust for improved maneuverability of a marine vessel employs a peripherally-driven propeller situated below the waterline and remotely powered by a motor situated above the waterline via a flexible drive member. The propeller is supported by a rolling element bearing disposed circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the propeller providing both axial and radial support. The lower portion disposed for submerged operation has a substantially thin cross section with a narrow thickness aligned transversely to the vessel to operate hydro-dynamically while the vessel is underway. This makes it possible for the present invention to remain in the operating position indefinitely even while the vessel is in motion without risking a structural damage.

Abstract: Scuba tank compressed air can now power a dual piston compound motor driving dual water thrusters of a steady pulling underwater propulsion vehicle. Motor exhaust provides diver breathing air through a demand regulator. Motor efficiency allows continual, powerful diver thrust without curtailing normal tank dive time. Lightweight vehicle can be strapped to the scuba tank for “hands free” operation or “diver held” for driving through the water. Diver controls off/on/variable speed with a simple throttle control. Propeller or battery is not required.

Abstract: A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

Abstract: A fin with a hydrodynamic flex control framework allows the axis of bending to be in close proximity to the ball of the user's foot making kicking easier as well as more productively efficient and a method providing thrust from an unusually low drag kick by a swimmer are disclosed. The fin includes a fin for use by a swimmer comprising a foot pocket adapted to receive a foot of the swimmer; a foil shaped blade extending from the foot pocket; hydrodynamic flex control framework configured to allow the blade to bend in close proximity to the ball of the user's foot within a narrow range of angles of attack under a wide range of loads while enhancing hydrodynamic performance. The present invention allows low drag kicking by a swimmer that is similar to walking in place with the user's feet staying within the user's slip stream.

Abstract: A remote control system for a marine drive includes a change element that changes an operational condition of the marine drive. An actuator actuates the change element. An ECU controls the actuator. A remote controller is remotely placed from the ECU. The remote controller has a control lever. A mechanical cable has ends. One end is coupled with the control lever. A potentiometer outputs a command signal to the ECU. The potentiometer has an input lever. Another end of the mechanical cable is coupled with the input lever. The input lever moves along with the control lever when the control lever is operated. The potentiometer generates the command signal in accordance with a position of the input lever. The control device controls the actuator based upon the command signal.

Abstract: The fatigue strength of a bottom end part jointed to an upper deck of a hull is sufficiently maintained to thereby improve fatigue life. In a tank cover which covers a protruding part of an independent spherical tank loaded in a ship with one part protruding above an upper deck of a hull, a bottom end part to be jointed to the upper deck is provided with a reinforced part which is reinforced for strength. The reinforced part is a thickened part with a thickness greater than a thickness of an other part. The reinforced part is provided on both ends in a direction along the width direction of the hull.

Abstract: A frame assembly forming a portion of a rowing accessory is to be mounted within a watercraft, to which frame assembly is attached a seat and oars. The frame assembly comprises first and second frame members each having the general shape of a winged U. First and second wing portions of each frame member extend outwardly from upper ends of the frame members. A track assembly has a beam attached to lower portions of the frame members at spaced apart connection points along the length of the beam. A seat assembly attaches to and slides along the beam. First and second hinge plates each have a first end attached at an outboard end of one wing portion of the first frame member, and a second end attached at an outboard end of one wing portion of the second frame member.

Abstract: An outboard motor can include a case that extends longitudinally and can be supported on a hull of a boat. An engine can be supported on the upper surface side of the case and a cowling can be supported on the upper end portion of the case for covering the engine from the outside. An idle exhaust passage can be formed to discharge exhaust produced during idling of the engine to the atmosphere from the inside of the case. An expansion chamber can be formed at a midway portion of the idle exhaust passage. The downstream end of the idle exhaust passage can serve as an idle exhaust port that is open to the atmosphere. A plurality of such idle exhaust ports can be formed.

Abstract: A tilt actuator for an outboard motor wherein shocks acting on the actuator are initially dissipated at a first damping rate and then at a higher damping rate near the end-of-stroke of the actuator's piston. The tilt actuator comprises a cylinder, a piston, a piston rod and a damper member, the latter being cooperative with the piston in a first position to at least partially block at least one of plural damping passages in the piston thereby to restrict flow of fluid from the first chamber to the damping passages in the piston and in a second position that allows full damping flow of fluid to the inlet openings of the damping passages from the first chamber to the damping passages in the piston during movement of the piston in the second direction.

Abstract: An external adjustable ballast system for keeled sailboats comprising a weight that is designed for low hydrodynamic drag, mounted through a beam to a shaft running down the leading edge of the fin keel. Turning the shaft moves the weight to optimize hull trim, both fore/aft and athwartships, for a particular point of sail. If the weight and beam are shaped as a lifting body and mounted to the shaft such that it pivots as it rotates to optimize angle of attack, the dynamic balancing component can allow for a lighter weight. Ballast weight and beam can be raised or lowered to optimize performance for expected wind conditions. The leading edge of the fin keel is a rotatable non spherical shaft. When rotated, the shaft creates an asymmetric cross section which improves hydrodynamic efficiency of the keel.

Abstract: A swimming aid device comprising of a convertible bi/mono swim fin containing a first fin, a second fin and coupling means. The present invention can be used as traditional independent swim fins or combined together to form a bi-swim fin in which both swim fins are held together to aid the swimmer in performing feet unison-style swim kicks such as a dolphin kick. In one embodiment, the coupling means consists of a track and rail in which a track is attached to a first fin and a rail is attached to a second fin. Said track of the first fin has an inner groove that can slidably receive the rail of the second fin. The swimming aid device further comprising a locking means for selective locking of the rail to the groove so that once the rail is slidably and fully received within said groove, said locking means prevents further relative sliding movement between said rail and said groove.

Abstract: The rudder post (40) for rudders for water vehicles has end sections (41, 42) made of a metallic material, in particular of wrought iron, and a mid post section (45) made of a nonmetallic material connected with the end sections so that the rudder post has a relatively low weight even for a very big length by maintaining a high flexural strength and torsion stiffness.

Abstract: A boat fender mount which is characterized by a fender mount plate of selected shape and size adapted for receiving a boat fender and a selected number (typically two) of piling plates typically fixed or hingedly attached to the fender mount plate in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other and having aligned, adjustable piling openings or recesses for securing the fender mount plate and the attached boat fender to a piling. In one embodiment the boat fender is secured to the fender mount plate by mount straps or ties which extend from the boat fender through openings provided in the fender mount plate. In another embodiment the fender mount plate is oval or elliptically-shaped and is capable of receiving the boat fender along the long or short axis, vertically or horizontally, with the boat fender in position over a water body to provide cushioning for boats moored adjacent to the piling.

Abstract: A polyethylene foam composite surfboard comprises a longitudinally extending foam core having a top surface, a bottom surface and rail surfaces. A top laminate is bonded to the top surface and rail surfaces. A bottom laminate bonded to the bottom surface. The top laminate or the bottom laminate comprises (a) a polyolefin foam layer having an inner surface and outer surface;(b) a non-woven fabric layer having a first hot melt resin coated surface and a second uncoated surface opposed to the resin coated surface, of which the hot melt resin coated surface is bonded to the inner surface of the polyolefin foam; and (c) a reinforcement layer comprising fiberglass laminate impregnated with polymer resin and having an inner surface and outer surface. The outer surface is bonded to the uncoated surface of the non-woven fabric and the inner surface is bonded to the foamed surface of the core.

Abstract: A retractable U-shaped ladder assembly preferably for a craft such as a watercraft has a rotatably retractable ladder which is attached to the craft by brackets. A torsion spring is used to bias the ladder into its retracted position. While the ladder is in an in-use position, the ladder is locked into place against rotation by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a bent plate which presses against four rings that are fixed to a rod, which rod extends from each bracket. Each ring has a notch that is located in the same position. In the use position, the bent plate will fit into the notches of the rings and lock the step. When the user is finished using the ladder, the user can manually unlock the step by pressing the bent plate. The bent plate moves out of engagement with the notches in the rings, thereby allowing the torsion springs in the brackets to rotate the step to the retracted position.

Abstract: An outboard motor having a grommet mounted on a lower cover is disclosed. The grommet is positioned outward from an area directly under a surface in which an upper cover and lower cover meet as viewed from above. A presser cover for pressing the upper half of the grommet expands in the lateral direction and has on the lower end portion a first concavity that opens in the downward direction and conforms to the external shape of the grommet.

Abstract: A method for controlling a marine vessel having a first steering nozzle, a reversing deflector and at least one of a bow thruster and a second steering nozzle is disclosed. The method comprises any of the acts of inducing a net transverse thrust to the marine vessel in response to a transverse thrust component signal, without substantially inducing any forward-reverse thrust or rotational thrust to the marine vessel, or inducing a net forward-reverse thrust to the marine vessel in response to a forward-reverse thrust component signal without substantially inducing any transverse thrust or rotational thrust to the marine vessel, or inducing a net rotational thrust to the marine vessel in response to the rotational thrust component signal without substantially inducing any forward-reverse thrust or transverse thrust to the marine vessel.

Abstract: A gas supply arrangement of a marine vessel being adapted to carry liquefied gas in its cargo tank having an ullage space section and a liquid phase section, which arrangement utilizes the gas as fuel to provide power for the vessel, the arrangement comprising a first gas supply line provided for processing the natural boil-off gas formed in the cargo tank, a second gas supply line which connects the cargo tank and the gas main supply line and which is provided with at least a pump for raising the pressure of the liquid gas and for pumping it forward.

Abstract: A safety seat with air enclosure mechanism for infants that permits its retrieval from a body of water with a significant amount of air to extend the breathing time of the enclosed child and prevent drowning. The seat includes a compartment for a flexible enclosure that can be readily deployed to temporarily enclose the seat assembly and infant completely for their easy retrieval from dangerous conditions. A spring loaded roller or winding mechanism keeps one end attached while the other end is open and stretchable to cover the infant and the seat assembly. The spring loaded winding mechanism keeps the enclosure tense to facilitate its deployment by a user.

Abstract: A marine outboard motor has a rotary bearing on the vertical drive shaft intermediate its ends. This bearing is mounted in a housing that joins the power head to the lower unit. The bearing prevents failure that may occur when the shaft has an unbalance that causes bowing and whipping of the shaft at certain speeds. The bearing is supplied with water from a water pump in the lower unit.