Abstract: An air-to-water surface operating underwater viewing craft which succeeds in providing man with both speed and the same extravagant vision for underwater viewing that he/she possesses above the water with respect to field of view and clarity. This is achieved through proper implementation of a number of factors which are all locked in a perpetual relationship one to the other. The desired results are obtained by employment of a viewing window which is laterally curved around the sides of a prone viewers' face and which extends foreward and backwards sufficiently to exceed mans' field of vision threshold in all directions. The viewers' head is supported by a headrest which provides a viewing reference point for the viewers' eyes. Around this arrangement is built a flotational device which features two stabilizing pontoons positioned on starboard and port sides providing correct craft posture and predetermined draw. A two axis joystick controls two retracting electric thrusters providing full maneuverability.

Abstract: An arrangement for towing a disabled ship comprising a wire on a wire drum having an axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a ship at the stern or stem of the ship, the wire being permanently connected with the ship at one end behind the drum and at the other end with a painter, the painter being a buoyant line stored in a magazine in which it is coiled without being twisted, the magazine being placed between the wire drum and a launching pipe for a buoy with which the other end of the painter is connected wherein the buoy is inflatable and connected with and encapsuled in a box in the form of a floating anchor, the box being launchably mounted in the launching pipe.

Abstract: A water walker for walking or skiing over the water. Each walker consists of multiple inflatable tubes attached to one another and with an opening in the middle for inserting the foot. The foot rests on a foot plate supported by a tubular structural support system running horizontally the length of the walker. Propulsion is accomplished by a plurality of pockets made of a flexible membrane joined to the underside of the walker and used either independently or in conjunction with water ski poles or sails. Tabs with grommets or other means are provided at the front, middle and rear for tethering the pair of water walkers together to create a raft. A removable fin may be positioned beneath the foot or at the rear, depending on whether the walkers are used with a sail, as water walkers or as water skiis. The entire apparatus is lightweight and may be transported in a special backpack.

Abstract: Two embodiments of jet propelled watercraft having improved electrically powered trim adjustments. In one embodiment, the trim adjustment effects pivotal movement of the discharge nozzle of the jet propulsion unit and in the other embodiment the electric power operates a trim plate of the hull that extends beneath the jet propulsion unit.

Abstract: A small waterplane area high speed ship is disclosed which includes a hull structure having a bow portion and a stern portion with the hull being normally supported above the surface of the water when in operation. A forward set of dual struts depend from the bow portion of the hull structure; these dual struts are subtended by a first transverse displacement foil extending laterally between amd connected to each of the dual struts. A second set of aft dual struts depend from the stern portion of the hull structure; the second set of dual struts are subtended by a second transverse displacement foil extending laterally between and connected to each of said struts. The transverse displacement foils provide the major bouyancy for the ship during operation to maintain the hull above the surface of the water during operation. The forward and aft struts and the foils are spaced longitudinally a predetermined distance selected such that the transverse wave created by each corresponding element is 180.degree. apart.

Abstract: A marine marker providing a service life, both of the structural rigidity as well as the surface finish that is presently unknown in the industry. The present invention utilizes the structural features of a high strength, readily formable plastic resin material in layers of high density polyethylene, nylon 6/6 and ethylene vinyl alcohol and employs a specialized manufacturing technique to provide a net shape of layered resin materials in the marker further enhancing its physical rigidity and serviceability. The invention further includes a protective surface unknown in marine markers with additional advantages to the application of the necessary informational messages on the marker, the addition of an ultra-violet protector and the providing of improved scuff-resistant outer surface.

Abstract: A watercraft has a buoyancy hull with an upwardly bode rail forming an arcuate guide for a passenger stand which allows the passenger to remain substantially upright as the buoyancy hull rolls beneath the stand. The stand can have rollers riding on the rail.

Abstract: A liftarm assembly having: i) a mounting socket and base assembly for attachment to a support; ii) a vertically extending mounting tube non-rotatably but pivotably secured to the mounting socket and base assembly; iii) a sheave mounted in the mounting tube for rotation about a horizontal axis wherein the sheave projects laterally out of the mounting tube; iv) a tubular metal liftarm mounting in the mounted tube for rotation about a vertical axis wherein the tubular liftarm is devoid of internal pulleys and external braces and other protuberances; v) the tubular liftarm including a lower vertically extending linear portion for insertion into the mounting tube, a laterally extending cantilevered upper portion, and an intermediate portion joined to the upper and lower portions by smooth curves; vi) a fitting coupled to the outboard end of the cantilevered upper portion and including a sheave journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis; vii) a load line having its outboard free end secured to the cantilevered

Abstract: A boat hull having a bow lifting surface, a stepped bottom aft of the bow to create an air space between the water and the bottom of the hull and a stern lifting surface extending downwardly from the stepped bottom such that the bow lifting surface and the stern lifting surface angle of attack is fixed at the angle for maximum lift to drag for a given deadrise angle. The effect is to lift the hull vertically the maximum possible, so the wetted hull area and drag are reduced to the minimum. As the deadrise angle changes from 0 degrees to 25 degrees, the angle of attack for best lift to drag changes from approximately 7 degrees to 14 degrees. For a V-shaped hull the angle of attack is in a range of nine through fourteen degrees. A flat bottom hull should have an angle of attack in a range of six through eight degrees, preferably seven degrees.

Abstract: A universal cavitation plate system for providing an after-market cavitation plate on the lower unit of virtually all boat motors having lower units and propellers. Each universal cavitation plate assembly has a cavitation plate with a longitudinal slot for receiving the lower unit of the boat motor, an elastomeric insert for cushioning or shock absorption between the lower unit and the cavitation plate, and a filler piece for at least partially filling the exposed space of the longitudinal slot between the rear of the boat and the trailing edge of the cavitation plate.

Abstract: A mooring device for securing a boat to a pole or other element at a mooring dock. The device includes an elongated tubular handle having attached at one end a flexible tubular piece which is looped back upon itself. A continuous mooring line or rope has one end which extends into the back end of the tubular handle, through the handle and tubular loop, back through the handle and out of the open back end where it is knotted with the other trailing end of the rope to form a loop at the back end. The trailing end of the rope may extend a predetermined length from the back end of the handle and, at its terminal end, may be looped back upon itself to form another attachment loop. The rope is pulled fight within the handle and the flexible tubular piece so that the loop at the front of the handle is retained in an open condition, laterally displaced from the handle, and the load or tensile forces tying the boat to the dock post are borne by the rope itself.

Abstract: A modular watercraft system includes large and small hulls, and a variety of connectors for enabling the manual assembly of any one of several multi-hull watercraft, for example an outrigger, a catamaran, or a trimaran. The modular components are all designed to be lightweight and easily portable. In addition, a V-shaped transom, enabling inboard pivotal mounting of a rudder, may be provided on each large main hull for enhancing maneuverability and boater safety. Furthermore, a removable mast that is mounted for unobstructed 360 degree rotation about a mast axis may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a releasable anchor for securing a boat or marine vessel to a desired position having a weighted body with a central bore extending throughout its length through which an elastic strip is pulled in such a way as to form a closed eye on one end of the weighted body and with the remainder of the elastic strip being frictionally held within the central bore of the weighted body. The elastic eye along with the weighted body may be attached to one end of an anchor line and when the anchor becomes bound by an underwater obstruction a boater may exert tension to the elastic eye by applying a pulling force to the anchor line. The exerted tension will cause the elastic strip to stretch thus reducing its diameter inside the central bore of the weighted body until the friction will no longer withhold its exit from the central bore of the weighted body. This action allows the anchor to release from the anchor line at the point of connection.

Abstract: The apparatus has front and rear floatable members. A main shaft is fixedly coupled to the rear end of the front member and extends upward wherein it has an upper portion defining a pivot axis. A connecting member is fixedly coupled to the front end of the rear member and extends forward and upward. The connecting member has a forward connecting portion comprising an aperture through which the upper portion of the main shaft extends such that the two members may turn relative to each other. Handle bars are connected to the main shaft. A seat is coupled to the rear member for supporting a person. Paddles having inner ends are coupled to a paddle shaft. A support is coupled to the front member for supporting the paddle shaft and paddles for rotation about a paddle axis transverse to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A watercraft protection mat that is to be placed at the shoreline prior to beaching of a watercraft. The watercraft, when being beached, is to have its hull to be maneuvered onto the mat. The mat is to include appropriate openings to facilitate its connection with a plurality of fasteners that function as a tie down arrangement to secure the mat in position at the shoreline. The heads of the fasteners are to be covered by a covering flap when the mat is in use. The mat is to include appropriate weights so that it will sink within the water. The weights are each to include loose particulate matter that will conform to irregular shapes located at the shore insuring that the mat will rest evenly on the shore. The mat also includes elongated rigid members which function as stiffeners to keep the mat from bunching up, thereby retaining its established position. The mat is to be constructed of a plurality of layers with there being a cushiony layer located in between a top layer and a bottom layer.

Abstract: A marine jet drive weed grate (50) has a plurality of cantilever tines (58-63) extending rearwardly along the water intake (32) and have suspended aft end tips (64-69) spaced from the aft end (36) of the water intake such that weeds and debris may slide rearwardly along and then off of the cantilever tines without clogging.

Abstract: A small submersible propulsion unit for use in water sports such as snorkeling or skindiving. The propulsion unit includes an internal combustion engine and a propulsion device driven by the engine. Air is supplied to the engine for its combustion through an air box that is formed above the engine and which draws air through a snorkel device having a float operated valve for preventing the ingestion of water if the propulsion unit becomes submerged to a large extent. In addition, certain accessories for the engine are disposed in the air box and are accessible through an access opening in the air box for servicing.

Abstract: A device to fix a floating boat to a dock or pier that will allow the boat to move up and down freely in the waves and yet prevent the boat from hitting the dock or pier or rub the piles supporting the dock or pier. The device is comprised of two elongated arms that are fixed to a cleat fixture on a boat wherein the elongated arms extend to the dock forming a triangle with a V bar or a T bar, a swivel and a pinion fixed to the dock or pier, thereby allowing the boat to move up and down within limits but not to strike or rub the dock, pier or piles.

Abstract: A sailboat is provided with an adjustable mast system in which the base of the mast is pivotally attached to the top deck surface of the sailboat hull. Hydraulic cylinders connected to and integral with the shroud mast support system can vary the effective length of the shrouds, thereby tilting the mast to windward to maintain it in a vertical position while the boat hull is heeled.

Abstract: A body surfing device 10 consisting of a board 12 and a harness 14 secured to the board 12 for strapping the board to the front torso part of a person's body. The board 12 has an upper face 16, a lower face 18, a leading end 20, a trailing end 22 and two sides 24. The board 12 is of waterproof foam rubber having a plastics sheet element attached to the underside thereof, which defines the lower face 18 of the board 12. The harness 14 is attached to the board 12 at four attachment locations and comprises two shoulder straps 40 which are disposed to extend around the shoulders of a person when the board is strapped to him, a waist strap 42 disposed to extend around the person's waist and two connecting straps 44 which are formed integrally with the shoulder straps 40 and which are connected to the waist strap 42.