Abstract: A carbon fiber spar is provided which comprises a layer of carbon fiber forming a one-piece circumference and having an integral sail-attaching groove formed by a plastic insert bonded together with the layer of carbon fiber during curing so that the fiber layer forms a hollow for receiving the plastic insert in interlocking engagement.

Abstract: A lift arrangement for a marine engine permits the output shaft of the engine to be vertically oriented when lifting the engine. The engine configuration results in a center of gravity located along a vertical axis which passes through a flywheel assembly of the engine. The flywheel assembly sits above an upper end of the engine block. The lift arrangement includes a pair of hangers mounted to the top end of the engine with the flywheel assembly positioned generally therebetween. The hangers are attached on opposite sides of a central, longitudinal plane of the engine. The hangers also are arranged such that a line between the hangers intersects the central, longitudinal plane at a point proximate to the vertical axis which passes through the center of gravity of said engine. With a cable connected to each hanger, the engine can hang by the cable from a lift with its output shaft vertically oriented, without removing or interfering with the flywheel assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a floatation apparatus with a self-deploying mast for use in a marine towing operation. The invention includes a mast assembly. The mast assembly comprises a shaft adapted to pivotally mount in a storage position on the floatation apparatus, a pair of masts mounted on the shaft forming a structure with front and back sides and dividing the masts into a top section above the shaft and a bottom section below the shaft, pairs of arms and legs projecting perpendicularly from the front of the top section of the masts and from the back of the bottom section of the masts, respectively, a crosspiece connecting the arms to each other and another crosspiece connecting the legs to each other.

Abstract: A shore anchor for small boats and personal watercraft includes an elongated central spike-like member, two anvil collars, a slidable hammer weight, and a protective sheath. The anvils are used in conjunction with the slidable hammer weight to drive and retract the elongated spike into or out of the ground. The protective sheath covers the exposed end of the anchor when the anchor is deployed and is attached to the hammer weight. When the anchor is removed for transportation or storage the protective sheath covers the pointed end of the elongated spike and is attached to the other end of the hammer weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring a flotation device to a wall or other smooth stationary object. The present invention consists of a tether, a means for attaching the tether to the flotation device, an anchoring means, and a means for adjusting the length of the tether. The anchoring means comprises a handle, a face having a plurality of small suction cups, and a hole for passage of the tether in adjustable engagement.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for stabilizing an outboard motor during transport in two embodiments. A first preferred embodiment includes a rigid block which is pivotally mounted from a bracket so as to be adjacent to a yoke which connects between the push rod end of a steering cable and a link to the outboard motor. The block has a hole in a position to enable engagement of an extended bolt on the yoke and can be pivoted to cause such engagement. In the engaged position, a wing nut is tightened to hold the block in position over the bolt, thus preventing movement of the outboard motor.In the second embodiment, a split block is provided of a material possessing a highly frictional surface. The split block has a hole with a split to an outer surface and is permanently mounted with a push rod of the steering cable extending through the hole.

Abstract: An integrated motor/marine propulsor is provided having an electric motor apted for converting electrical energy into hydropropulsive energy. The electric motor comprises at least one stator assembly disposed in magnetomotive relation to a rotor. The rotor of the present invention advantageously includes a plurality of rotor blades wherein a portion of at least one of the rotor blades comprises a permanent magnet.

Abstract: A hand operated remote control station for marine trolling motors. The hand operated remote control station enhances or replaces existing remote foot control stations for trolling motors. The remote control station controls the trolling motor by a transmitted signal. The remote hand control station is a totally adjustable, non-corrosive, telescoping steering shaft on which are placed the electric controls to remotely operate a trolling motor, such as power switches and speed control devices.

Abstract: The member may for instance be a sail having at least one opening to create an air flow from the pressure face to the suction face, and guides to guide the air emerging from the opening on the suction face side and direct it tangentially in relation to the member. The opening and the guides are formed temporarily and adjusted by varying the position and/or geometry of at least one portion and/or region of the device. The device further includes devices for adjusting the member's geometry, including the shape and concavity of its camber.

Abstract: A boat mooring system includes a track mounted to a piling. A carriage is mounted for movement within the track and an elongate rod is connected thereto. A mooring ring is mounted to the carriage or the rod. A float is mounted to the lower end of the rod so that when the entire assembly floats up and down with the tide the relationship between a boat moored thereto and the mooring ring is independent of the tide.

Abstract: A rudderless sailboat having a hydrodynamic symmetry fore and aft which can be sailed equally well in either direction. The craft is steered by tilting the mast and keel. In an alternative embodiment the sailboat also has no keel. The hulls are rigid and have a v-shaped bottom. While sailing forward, the sail can be rotated past the angle of zero angle-of-attack to that angle-of-attack where the wind is aback on the sail. This stops the boat and causes it to sail back in the general direction from which it came. This sailboat maneuver is called a tack aback.

Abstract: In a personal recreational watercraft, an improvement resides in a suspension mechanism, which permits greater maneuverability and stability, and reduces driver fatigue. To overcome the strong forces, a suspension system is employed which permits up and down vertical movement, while resisting lateral movement and torsional forces. The suspension apparatus also reduces shock effects caused by choppy or rough water.

Abstract: A transmission system for a counter-rotational propulsion device is easily incorporated into an existing outboard drive of a watercraft to convert the outboard drive from a single propeller drive to a counter-rotational dual propeller system. The transmission system involves a first transmission which selectively couples an inner propulsion shaft with an existing drive shaft of the outboard drive. The inner propulsion shaft in turn drives a rear propeller. A second transmission of the transmission system is provided between the inner propulsion shaft and an outer propulsion shaft. The second transmission reverses the rotational drive direction input by the inner propulsion shaft so as to drive the outer propulsion shaft in an opposite rotational direction. The outer propulsion shaft drives a front propeller which spins in an opposite direction to that of the rear propeller, but asserts a thrust in the same direction as the rear propeller.

Abstract: A propulsion apparatus for an inflatable float tube. The apparatus comprises a mounting panel with a curved face seating against the curved outer surface of the float tube. A motor is mounted inside a motor housing with a propeller extending from the motor out of the housing. The motor housing is pivotally connected to the mounting panel for fastening. A pair of secondary mounting panels, each having curved faces, can be attached to the mounting panel and attached to parallel, facing, curved surfaces of a parallel pontoon float tube.

Abstract: A method of protecting a plastic boat hull against blistering, comprising the steps of applying an outer gelcoat layer to the inner surface of a mold, applying a layer of barrier coat material of microspheres thoroughly mixed in a synthetic resin matrix to the outer gelcoat layer to form a barrier coat layer, bonding the barrier coat layer to the outer gelcoat layer, applying an outer layer of fiber reinforced synthetic plastic to the barrier coat layer, bonding the outer fiber reinforced synthetic plastic layer to the barrier coat layer, applying successive layers of fiber reinforced synthetic plastic to form a laminated boat hull having a series of fiber reinforced synthetic plastic layers with an inner layer, and applying an inner gelcoat layer to the inner layer of the fiber-reinforced synthetic plastic layers.

Abstract: A hydrofoil structures for efficient operation over a wide speed range from subcavitating to supercavitating operation is provided. The dualcavitating hydrofoil overcomes cavitation problems associated with high speed operation of prior art subcavitating hydrofoils by providing a supercavitating profile shape in the lower surface to achieve a supercavitating condition at high speeds, and overcomes performance related problems associated with low speed operation and structural problems associated with high speed operation of prior art supercavitating hydrofoils by providing a profile shape having a robust trailing edge that employs the Coanda effect to achieve a smooth flow exit at the trailing edge. The dualcavitating hydrofoil includes upper and lower surfaces defining a profile that includes a tapered section adjacent to and extending aft from the leading edge and a thick curved section adjacent to and extending forward of the trailing edge.

Abstract: A harness release device for towing a water skier by a harness worn by the skier. The device having a frame and a cylindrical handle with two ends both of which being rotatably attached to and supported by the frame. The handle is freely rotatable about its longitudinal axis. A harness line, having a first end and a second end, is fixedly attached to said frame at the first end. The second end of the harness line is releasably connected to the handle. The releasable connection is formed by winding the second end of the harness line around the handle by rotating the handle in a first direction. The harness engages the harness line whereby if the skier lets go of the handle, the handle spins thus releasing the harness line from the handle and the harness.

Abstract: A catamaran vessel includes two hulls which are mutually connected by a cargo deck. A superstructure includes passenger spaces and is supported by a web structure which extends generally along each hull. Each longitudinal side wall of the superstructure is formed from a latticework beam whose plane is oriented generally vertically and whose longitudinal axis extends essentially horizontally. The latticework beams are fixedly connected to the wall structures. The floor and ceiling structures of the superstructure are connected to the latticework beams so as to greatly stiffen the superstructure and to render the beams highly resistant to bending forces. Consequently, the spaces defined between the longitudinal profiles of the beams and the struts are essentially free of deformation forces when the vessel is at sea. The spaces can be used essentially completely for windows, and the wall structures can be given a relatively low natural bending resistance.

Abstract: A flipper device (1) is comprised of a fin forming front part (2) made of a relatively rigid material and device (F) for fixing the fin (2) to the foot (3) of the user. The fin (2), in its rear region (6) is fixed under the sole (4) of a foot piece (5) made of a material which is more flexible than that of the fin; at least the front part (11) of the foot piece is covered by a coating (10) of material which is more rigid than that of the foot piece (5). The coating (10) is integral with the fin (2) and is appropriate to transmit correctly an impulse from the foot (3) to the fin (2).

Abstract: A support for boat oars to hold the oars in a fixed stationary and at rest position without the use of the rower's hands. The support is of particular use in a single sculling boat and consists of securing oar straps fastened to a bar. An overall riser rod assembly is formed by placing upper and lower riser rods on a connecting rod. The overall riser rod assembly is pivotally connected at one end to a plate attached to the bar and, at the other end, to a plate attached to a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is fastened to the structure of the boat. The overall riser rod assembly can be adjusted in length to conform to various boats and rowers. The support is easily lowered to an out of the way location when not in use.