Abstract: A boat launching and retrieving device is disclosed for use on a boat and trailer. The device includes an upright angle iron mounted on the boat trailer. The fastening device is mounted at the top forward end of the boat so that the boat and trailer can be securely held together, then released for launching from within the boat and retrieved and secured also from within the boat.

Abstract: A pontoon connector system and process are provided which allows pontoons to be connected at sea, even under rough sea conditions, so that the pontoons can be connected, for example, to form a barge. Initially, the pontoons are coupled by cables which are connected to winches disposed on one of the pontoons. The cables are then wound upon the winches to draw the pontoons together until latch members can be connected between the pontoons. Once the latch members connect the pontoons together, conventional connectors can then be inserted between connector sites of the pontoons.

Abstract: A swimming aid is provided for assisting a user in learning how to swim. The swimming aid includes a first float member having a U-shaped configuration in use. The float member is adapted to be placed against the lower back of a user, to fit around the buttocks of the user and to extend down to the thigh area of the user. Central securing straps extend, in use, around the waist of the user to secure the float member against the lower back. End securing straps are affixed to said float member at opposite ends thereof and extend, in use, around respective thighs of the user. Two further, elongate float members each include two pairs of securing straps for securing the associated float member to the upper arm and forearm of a user.

Abstract: A small, personal watercraft having an improved ventilating system that provides not only ventilating air but also a shroud for an instrument of the watercraft. A compact exhaust system is also provided that extends on opposite sides of a tunnel in which the jet propulsion unit which powers the watercraft is positioned. Transfer pipes extend across the tunnel and across the watercraft to transfer the exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold to the watercraft trap device and also for providing traps to preclude water from entering the engine through the exhaust system.

Abstract: An outboard motor comprises, in an installed or mounted state, an engine holder, an engine located to an upper portion of the engine holder, a drive shaft housing located to a lower portion of the engine holder for housing a drive shaft extending downward from the engine, and an oil pan formed to the engine holder, the oil pan being provided with a wall section to which steering brackets are secured through upper mounts. A first seal member is disposed at a mating surface portion of an upper surface of the drive shaft housing and a lower surface of the oil pan and a second seal member is disposed at a mating surface of an upper surface of the oil pan and a lower surface of the engine to thereby expose the drive shaft between the first and second seal members.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a vehicle having a longitudinal axis comprising a single driving source having a driving shaft; a pair of driven elements, each of the pair of driven elements being spaced from and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis; a first differential device having an input shaft coupled to the driving shaft and two output shafts; a second differential device having an output shaft coupled to one of the pair of driven elements, a first input shaft coupled to one of the two output shafts of the first differential device and a second input shaft coupled to the driving shaft; a third differential device having an output shaft coupled to the other of the pair of driven elements, a first input shaft coupled to the other of the two output shafts of the first differential device and a second input shaft coupled to the driving shaft; and a control arrangement coupled to the driving source, the first input shaft and the output shaft of the second differential device and the first input shaft and the

Abstract: A floating dry dock for boats. The dry dock has two side pontoons and a front pontoon. Each pontoon has one or more plastic tubs filled with styrofoam batts and attached to the frame for flotation. The top of the pontoons are provided with 2 inch by 6 inch by 27 inch cedar wood decking. The two side pontoons are attached to each other using at least two metal cradles, that also support a boat lift. The outside posts of the front and rear cradles have wheels mounted thereon to allow the dock to be moved from one location to another, over dry land. By varying the length of the pontoons, (and number of cradles), and the number of plastic floatation tubs, the dock can be built and/or adjusted to be used with personal water craft lifts, (2,500 lb capacity), to large boat lifts, (6,800 lb capacity). The adjustable nature of the dry dock makes it usable with a large number of boat lifts.

Abstract: A watercraft hull having a lower surface for normal contact with a body of water includes a fin having an inner end secured to the lower surface for extending into a body of water, a hinge intermediate the inner and outer ends for enabling an outer portion of the fin to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the watercraft for enabling increased controllability and performance of the watercraft.

Abstract: This invention pertains to novel water craft, having novel standoff assemblies. The standoff assemblies prevent the water craft from being driven with destructive force into a dock or other relatively immobile object above the outer edges of the water craft. The standoff assemblies of the invention extend upwardly from the outer edge of the water craft. Adjustably extensible support members mount the standoff assembly to the water craft at typically three mounting loci. The mounting loci are typically spaced both vertically and laterally from each other.

Abstract: The raft with a water displacing floor includes at least one peripherally disposed, inflatable tube. The raft includes a flexible floor which has a larger spatial area than the spatial area of the raft when the peripheral tube is inflated. The floor is attached to the raft along the floor's peripheral regions. When the raft is in an elevated, horizontal, free-standing position, a lower region of the floor hangs at least a distance fifty percent greater than the vertical cross-sectional dimension of the inflated peripheral tube. In other embodiments, the floor hangs a distance more than the vertical cross-sectional dimension of the inflated tube. The raft can be configured using two vertically stacked peripheral tubes. In such construction, the floor is attached at the interface between the two vertically stacked tubes. The method of enhancing the buoyancy of the raft includes buoyantly supporting at least fifty percent of the loaded raft with a displacement of water caused by the floor.

Abstract: An electrically powered canoe with fishing accessories comprises a canoe having an essentially hollow interior, the canoe including a bow, a stern, a central region, a port side and a starboard side; and the central section including a center console with a bow portion, a stern portion and a central portion, the center console including a plurality of accessories, the accessories including a seat and a cooler positioned on the bow portion of the center console, the accessories further including a primary battery, a secondary battery, a compass, a fish finder and a rod rack positioned on the central portion of the center console, a fan and a fishing rod being positioned upon the rod rack, the primary battery including a plurality of buttons and switches operatively coupled to the accessories of the bow, stern and central section, the stern portion of the center console including an electrical control panel operatively coupled to the primary and secondary batteries.

Abstract: A device is described for adjusting the position of a trolling motor relative to a boat. The device has an arm, preferably L-shaped, with one end connected to the steering column of the trolling motor. The other end is higher than the first end and rotatably connected to an end of a handle bar, which is adapted, upon application of force thereto, to cause the arm to rotate with the steering column on the axis of the steering column up to and through at least 180.degree., and preferably through 360.degree.. The device enables the position the trolling motor to be readily adjusted simply by pushing the handle bar away from, or pulling the handle bar toward, the operator. The device is less complicated and more durable than previously known devices, and allows for steering through the full range of steering column rotation while the operator remains fully within the perimeter of the boat. Thus, the device provides both a safe and convenient method of steering the boat while propelled by a trolling motor.

Abstract: A collapsible cover for the drive unit of an outboard or sterndrive boat is provided. The cover is releasably secured to the drive unit by an adjustable sleeve that fits around an upper part of the unit. Each of the cover's sides includes an impact absorbing pad that functions to protect swimmers or other people in the area of the drive unit from coming into direct contact with the unit. The pads also protect the drive unit from being damaged by tools or other objects accidentally impacting on the unit.

Abstract: A thin, flexible, waterproof cocoon cover encloses the vehicle bottom, sides, front and back, may extend over the top of the vehicle, and buoys the vehicle up by displacement of water. Openings through the cover seal around the wheel support assembly and prevent entrance of the water through the cover to the brakes and other operational mechanisms of the vehicle.

Abstract: Two embodiments of silencing devices for a marine propulsion unit that include an engine surrounded by a protective cowling and which is adapted to be detachably connected to the hull of the watercraft. The silencing devices include at least one expansion chamber positioned within the hull and connected to the interior of the protective cowling by a duct. The devices are tuned to silence the noises emanating from the engine which include the induction system noises and/or mechanical noises.

Abstract: Frames for flotation devices are described with integrally incorporated attachment sites for the air tight attachment of recycled plastic bottles, aluminum beverage cans, or other bouyant containers. Several embodiments of flotation devices made with such frames are described including floating mattresses, a raft, a baby seat, a bouy, a pool pillow, and a bumper. The devices discussed are easy to transport and to stow. Further, they are inexpensive and provide an incentive to recycle used bouyant bottles and cans for making the flotation devices of this invention.

Abstract: A maritime survival capsule is shaped like a somewhat elongted egg, and has an inside shell which is moulded slightly smaller.

Abstract: A boat hull is disclosed having a bow and a stern. The hull includes a pair of elongated sponsons, each having a lower surface adapted to contact a water body having a water level. The sponsons are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other and form a channel therebetween. An aerodynamic member is positioned within this channel. The aerodynamic member includes an air compression section which slopes downwardly from the bow to a midpoint of the hull. Similarly, an air decompression section slopes upwardly from the midpoint of the hull and towards the stern. In operation, the aerodynamic member is dimensioned such that, upon forward movement of the hull through the water body, the compression of air flow through the channel by the air compression section and subsequent decompression of the air by the decompression section is sufficient to elevate water in the rear portion of the channel above the water level of the water body.

Abstract: A high-speed hydrofoil craft has a hull supported by a foil. When the foil is submerged, the upper surface of the foil may be ventilated by atmospheric air to form an air-filled cavity, in which case the foil performs similarly to a planing foil.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for protecting the hull of a water vehicle. The device has a frame having an opened end and a closed end. The frame has a right yoke and a left yoke which are preferably mirror images of one another and attach to one another preferably releasibly proximal to closed end. A sheet attaches to holes placed in the left and right yoke which form a bottom to the device with the right and left yokes being the sides. A tongue can also be provided as well as an anchoring device. Additionally, an extender can be provided to make the closed end broader to accommodate a larger craft.