Abstract: A deflector device (22) for use with a tow lie between a towing vessel (10) and a tow (16) in water behind the vessel, the device comprising a principal wing-shaped body (28) shaped to produce in use a sideways force which urges the tow line (16) laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the towing vessel, a boom (32) extending rearwardly from the principal wing-shaped body (28), and an auxiliary wing-shaped body (52), smaller than the principal wing-shaped body (28), secured to the end of the boom (32) remote from the principal wing-shaped body (28) and shaped so as to produce in use a sideways force in generally the opposite direction to that produced by the principal wing-shaped body (28).

Abstract: A personal watercraft is disclosed having a straddle-type seat. The seat is pivotally connected to the deck via a pivotal connection and pivotable with respect to the deck between a raised position and a lowered position. The pivotal connection has first and second links. The seat is pivotally connected to the first and second links and is pivotable with respect thereto about respective first and second axes. The first and second axes are movable with respect to the deck. When the seat is in the raised position, the seat permits access to the engine via an aperture in the deck. When the seat is in the lowered position, the seat covers the aperture in the deck and prevents access to the engine.

Abstract: A trim tab control system determines current tab position based upon a feedback signal that represents incremental motion of the actuator drive motor. Prior to power down, the current tab position is stored in non-volatile memory, and is retrieved on power up. The control system characterizes the actuator during a learning function by driving the actuator between the upper and lower limit positions and counting the number of increments. The display of tab position is based upon the current tab position count and the number of increments in a full range of motion. Automatic up and down commands cause the actuator to be driven up or down until a stop command is received or a limit position is reached.

Abstract: An outboard motor steering control system is configured to have both an electric steering mechanism (having an electric motor, steering angle sensor and electronic controller such as microcomputer) and a hydraulic steering mechanism (having a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic pump) that can be switched therebetween in response to manipulation by the operator. With this, switching from one of the electric steering mechanism and hydraulic steering mechanism to the other can be easily conducted, thereby enabling to easily cope with the operator's preference of steering feel. Further, even if a failure occurs in one of the electric steering mechanism and hydraulic steering mechanism, the steering operation of the outboard motor can be continued by switching from the one steering mechanism to the other, i.e., normally-operating steering mechanism.

Abstract: A vessel designed to operate efficiently as both a catamaran and air cushion vessel can travel at low speed in a catamaran or displacement mode, high speed in an air cushion mode, and amphibiously with the aid of deployable side seals. The vessel includes catamaran hulls and flexible air cushion bow and stern seal systems together with retractable side seals having hinged doors containing inflatable, retractable flexible components. The doors form part of the side seal system in the deployed position, and protect the flexible components of the seal in the retracted position. The arrangement reduces the drag associated with the side seals while the vessel operates in its catamaran or surface effect ship modes, and prevents damage to the seals during operation in the high speeds SES mode.

Abstract: The inventive inflatable life raft comprises a peripheral pneumatic float (1) and a bottom (2) fixed thereto and is characterised in that a mechanically résistant belt (4) extends along the float (1) circumference, is fixed thereto along the entire length thereof and said belt (4) bears or incorporâtes fixing means (8) for at least one towing line in such a way that towing forces are distributed through the entire circumference of the float and the raft can withstand high towing forces without any damages.

Abstract: A life jacket which can be configured into various functional seat cushions for use on airplanes and boats. This life jacket contains one to three sections of various types of cushioning enclosed within water proof covers and connected by flexible hinges which allow the life jacket to be folded into various seat configurations. This life jacket also contains adjustable belts that can be used in the seat configurations or the life jacket configuration to fasten to the user.

Abstract: A steerable wing-type sail system for a wind powered craft. The system includes first and second secondary airfoils and that are spaced outwardly to the sides of the plane of the main wing, and that are positioned rearwardly of the trailing edge of the wing. The secondary airfoils are selectively pivotable so as to steer the main wing in one direction or the other. The main wing is also provided with a pivoting flap at its trailing edge, which pivots simultaneously with and in the same direction as the secondary airfoils. The secondary airfoils are carried on elongate horizontal booms mounted near the mid-span height of the main wing. The secondary airfoils pivot about vertical axes at the distal ends of the booms, and are operated by control cables that are retracted and paid out by linear actuators or similar mechanisms. The craft may be multi-hull vessel, such as a catamaran.

Abstract: A covering and securing structure for a covering body, which includes a covering that can be laid over an object, and a hem located on a circumferential edge of the covering enables a tether to be threaded therethrough. A plurality of recesses are defined in the hem, and each of the recesses enables the tether to be joined to externally located ropes. When the covering body is laid over the external portion of an object to be covered and bound tight, then the plurality of ropes on the circumferential edge of the covering body are joined to the tether and a tugging action is collectively applied to the ropes, thereby achieving covering and securing protective effectiveness.

Abstract: The present invention is a view port suitable for installation under the water line of a vessel wherein the view port comprises a flange made from a corrosion resistant material and a body made from a heat resistant material. An alternative embodiment of the invention is an underwater light in which a high intensity discharge (HID) light and ballast is completely installed into the above-described view port.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a vessel is provided. The apparatus, or “hydrogyroscope,” includes a liquid container disposed along the hull of a floating vessel. The liquid container provides a rotational flow path therein for a spinning liquid mass. The liquid container also preferably includes a valve for receiving water or other liquid into the rotational flow path of the container. The liquid is preferably supplied from the marine environment in which the vessel operates. In one embodiment, a motor is provided for rotating the liquid container, causing the water to rotate along the rotational flow path within the container and relative to the hull of the vessel. A method is also provided for stabilizing the vessel. The method in one embodiment includes the steps of moving the vessel to a desired location within a marine body, filling the liquid container of the vessel stabilizing apparatus, and actuating a motor that causes liquid to flow along the rotational flow path of the liquid container.

Abstract: A safety device including a support that may be stowed within an enclosure and easily extended for use. One embodiment comprises an adjustable length strap coupled to a support strap fixed in the form of a loop that may act as a handle or a step, and a keeper comprising a pouch closable by a flap to form an enclosure. Multiple support loops may be attached to one another as desired. The upper end of the adjustable length strap is coupled to the interior of the keeper, and the keeper may be attached to a vessel or other object via a securing loop on its rear side. The straps are gathered inside the keeper, with a portion of the lowermost support loop hanging outside the keeper and fixed in position by the closed flap, such that the exposed support loop when pulled will cause the flap to open and the strap to extend.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a cowling enclosing the engine. A sidewall of the cowling has an air introduction opening for introducing ambient air to an air introduction chamber within the cowling. A protruded suction opening of an air duct in the air introduction opening has a flange extending generally toward the air introduction opening so as to deflect water from the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a doorway, more particularly, an all purpose gasket structure capable of sealing a doorway against the entry of water, smoke, and fire. The gasket is primarily an elongated silicone rubber structure having a ridged rectangular cross section for mounting to a gasket retainer. The gasket also includes a crush zone which collapses inwardly when pressure is applied to the gasket surface, resulting in improved sealing and the blockage of water intrusion paths. The gasket may further include an intumescent section within the elongated silicone rubber structure. In the sealing arrangement, the gasket is arranged within a gasket retainer that surrounds the doorway, thereby sealing boundaries between areas of personal egress.

Abstract: A water intake riser that can be suspended from a vessel having a riser connected to a riser hanger, which riser hanger includes a first tubular element, a second tubular element to which the riser is connected, a flexible load transfer element joining the tubular elements, and a hose of which the ends are secured to the adjacent ends of the tubular elements.

Abstract: A casing of an outboard motor can be formed with an upper casing, a lower casing, and an extension casing interposed between the upper casing and the lower casing. Water guiding passages, which can be formed with jacket sections or the like, can extend along both inner side surfaces of the extension casing. The water guiding passages can communicate with a space. Water that leaks from a cooling water pump in the space is allowed to flow through the water guiding passages so as to be used as cooling water. A cooling water inlet of each jacket section can be made at a bottom end of a partition, while the cooling water outlet of each jacket section can be made at a top end of a partition. A bottom of each jacket section can be formed with a bottom closure member.

Abstract: A remote control unit can be used for a boat having a plurality of propulsion units to perform output adjustment and tilt/trim angle adjustment of the propulsion units. Operating levers can be capable of forward and backward rotational movement to effect shift operation and throttle operation of the propulsion units and can be respectively provided upright on a left side surface and right side surface of a body. A plurality of tilt/trim angle adjustment switches can correspond to respective propulsion units and can be provided at positions where they can be operated with fingertips of a hand resting on a palm portion of a top surface of the body with the fingertips pointing generally forward. The palm portion of the top surface can be free of switches.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ship propulsion system comprising a synchronous machine (6) with an especially superconducting rotor winding that is to be subjected to intense cooling and a normally conducting stator winding (11) which is to be cooled. The stator winding (11) is disposed at least in part inside a support structure (14) encompassing a hollow cylindrical magnetically soft outer body (13) and web-type support teeth (21i) that extend in an axial and radial direction. A hollow cylindrical part (15a) of an exterior housing (15) encloses the outer body (13). In order to cool at least some areas of said housing part (15a), the stator winding (11) is thermally coupled to water as a cooling medium (K) via the support structure (14) and the housing part (15a).

Abstract: This boat drive system includes a primary and first and second outboard gearboxes. A drive shaft is connected between the engine and the primary gearbox and parallel shafts are connected between each outboard gearbox and a pair of first and second stern drive units mounted to the transom. The drive system also includes a cooling system provided by cooling pads operatively connected to each gearbox.

Abstract: A personal visibility mark may increase the visibility of a person in the water to operators of watercraft or the like and may be used in combination with a personal floatation device. The personal visibility mark may include a housing including at least one intake opening. The housing may be removeably coupled to a personal floatation device or may be an integral component of the personal floatation device. A pump may be disposed within the housing and may be fluidly coupled to the intake opening and at least one nozzle for expelling a stream of water from the nozzle to increase the visibility of a user. The stream of water may include an interrupted stream. The interrupted stream may be provided by modulating the power to the pump and/or providing a self-resonating nozzle.