Abstract: A toy airboat (10) having a negative trim element (38) and an adjustable positive trim element (44) for selectively controlling the performance of the craft in varying environmental conditions such as wind speeds and wave heights. The negative trim element may be smoothly curved protrusions (40) formed integral to the hull (12) in order to avoid snagging debris in water and to allow operation over land without damage to the hull. The protrusions may be symmetrically located on opposed sides of a centerline (CL) of the craft approximately midway between the centerline and a perimeter (16) of the hull. The adjustable positive trim element may be a bolt (46) threaded into a nut (48) affixed to a deck (14) of the craft. The nut extends to make contact with the hull to impart a desired degree of convex curvature to the otherwise generally flat bottom of the hull.

Abstract: A water rescue device for use in man overboard situations, comprising a foldable frame structure formed from a plurality of individual segments. The device is restrained in a compact storage configuration until needed. When deployed, resilient band or elastic cord material causes the foldable frame structure to assume an unfolded deployed configuration which floats and can be seen by rescuers. In an alternative embodiment, the device also serves as a lifting basket to assist in lifting a victim from the water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for supporting and releasing a twin fall lifeboat, comprising a pair of hooks releasably engaged with a corresponding pair of lifting links, and a lifeboat release assembly including a release handle, a release arm, a weighted rack, and a pair of flexible cables attached at first ends to the rack and attached at second ends to the hooks, wherein the release handle is attached to the release arm at a pivot point, wherein the release arm includes a wheel disposed within a wheel encasement attached to the weighted rack, wherein the system includes an engaged configuration in which the lifting links are secured by the hooks, and wherein the release handle is pulled by an operator, rotating the release arm about the boss, thereby lifting the weighted rack and pulling the flexible cables release the lifting links from the hooks substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle object ejection control system stores a plurality of pump speed command profiles. Each pump speed command profile is based on vehicle depth, vehicle speed, type of object being ejected, maximum noise emission magnitude during object ejection, and object exit velocity. The system also receives data representative of current vehicle depth, current vehicle speed, and the type of object being ejected. In response to these data, the system retrieves one of the plurality of pump speed command profiles and supplies pump speed commands representative of the retrieved pump speed command profile.

Abstract: The cantilever cover is suspended from one side over an article to be protected from the elements. The cover has a canopy frame and flexible, weatherproof canopy or cover secured thereover. A pair of canopy frame support arms extends from corresponding closed sleeves, which ride up and down upon the vertical support columns of a hoist assembly. Each sleeve includes a pair of diagonally opposed rollers, which bear against opposite sides of its respective column. A single winch (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.) is mounted centrally upon an upper crossmember extending between the two columns, with opposed equal length cables extending to the two canopy frame support sleeves. A remote control extends down the hoist frame from the winch, for operation of the device. One or more limit switches may be installed to limit the maximum or minimum travel of the canopy frame and cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching and recovering an object by a host vessel while the host vessel is in motion. The recovery system utilizes a tethered capture system for connecting with the object and then directing the object to the host vessel where it is secured. The tethered capture system includes one or more side planers that direct a capture cable away from the host vessel. The capture cable is preferably disposed below the waterline through the use of a diving rig or extended cable struts so that the cable does not foul the propeller of the object to be recovered. The side planer itself may include a ramped surface for loading the object prior to securing to the host vessel. After the capture, the object may be secured by way of a boom attached to the host vessel or by a lifting cradle that selectively extends aft of the host vessel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a wetsuit/floatation device which advantageously provides a combination wetsuit/flotation device integral with the wet suit so that a user can maintain unrestricted movement during water-sport activities and have the option of gaining instant buoyancy during times of dangerous water conditions. The invention can be made in a number of embodiments, with one being a vest which can be worn over a person's skin or over another wetsuit. The vest has an inflatable bladder extending from two chest panels around the back of the user's neck, with a valve connected to a removable CO2 canister which is triggered by a pull cord/handle extending outside of the wetsuit. The vest also has an inflation adjustment valve located near the neck by which a user can orally inflate or adjustably deflate the vest.

Abstract: The rescue system includes a mobile trailer on which are mounted telescoping hydraulic arms and a winch. A net is connected to the winch and passes over a roller mounted at the outer ends of the hydraulic arms which are vertically and horizontally movable to position the net over the body of water. The net hangs downwardly from the roller into the body of water. A ballast is attached at the lower end of the net so that the net is vertically oriented in the water. A rope connected to the lower end of the net and a set of pulleys enable the lower end of the net to be lifted to envelope a person therein. When the person is enveloped in the net, the winch is actuated via an electric motor to reel in the net and lift the net and the person out of the body of water and to a place of safety.

Abstract: A control surface system for a marine vehicle is provided. The control surface system includes a control member having at least two control portions fixedly connected at a predetermined spacing from each other. The control portions each have opposed surfaces, with the control portions being rotatable about an axis.

Abstract: A system detects a man overboard and facilitates the rescue of the overboard individual. The system includes sensors that provide surveillance of a peripheral envelope of a boat to detect when an individual fall through the envelope. When an individual is detected falling through the peripheral envelope, an alarm is sounded and a floatation device is dispensed into the water.

Abstract: A shift operation apparatus for an outboard motor of the present invention comprises a case fixed to an outboard motor, a motor provide at the case, a worm gear which is rotated by the motor, a worm wheel engages with the worm gear, an output shaft provided so as to freely rotate, a gear mechanism which transmits rotation of the worm wheel to the output shaft, an output arm which is attached to the output shaft, and which moves a range from a shift forward position to a shift reverse position with a neutral position being a boundary, a sensor which outputs a signal relating to a shift position of the output arm to a control circuit, and a force transmitting member whose one end is connected to the output arm, and whose other end is connected to a portion to be operated of a shift mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to an apparatus and method for securing an outboard boat motor during transportation. More particularly the invention is directed towards a removable support mount capable of attaching to the hydraulic trim cylinders mounted on the transom of a boat. Once attached, the opposite end of the support mount rests beneath the motor keeping it away from the transom in a tilted upward position in order to avoid contact with the road or objects on the road during transportation.

Abstract: A device comprises a spring and a sleeve. The spring is configured to form a closed loop. The spring is moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded. The spring defines a circumference while in the uncoiled configuration. The spring is disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: A display device of a personal watercraft is disclosed. The display device typically includes a memory configured to store a plurality of control modes for controlling components of the watercraft, a controller configured to control the components of the watercraft based on a control mode selected from the control modes, and a display portion that is provided in a display panel positioned in the vicinity of a steering handle of the watercraft and is configured to display operating information of the watercraft based on a signal from the controller while the watercraft is traveling. The display portion is configured to display mode information indicating the watercraft is controlled based on the selected control mode instead of the operating information when the controller controls the watercraft based on the selected control mode.

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: The pontoon boat lift system comprises a plurality of lifts. Each lift is comprised of a channel that mounts to deck support members of the boat. One end of a leg is pivotally mounted to one end of the channel. A screw supported in the channel is turned by a connection to an electric motor. A threaded follower on the screw travels along the screw when it is rotated by the motor. A fulcrum arm connects between the threaded follower and the leg to transmit a longitudinal movement of the follower into a pivotal movement of the leg. The leg is thus moveable between a raised and a lowered position. A base pad connected to the opposite end of the leg comprises a plurality of spaced support surfaces that contact the bottom of a body of water. The base pad supports the leg on the bottom of the body of water and easily separates from the bottom when the leg is moved to the raised position. The operation of the lifts is coordinated to raise the pontoon boat above the surface of the water at desired shoreline locations.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a boat including a drive system and a propeller positioning system. The drive system may be of any type, such as outboard motors, inboard/outboard drives, surface drives, etc. The positioning system constrains movement of the propeller shaft to swing in a path generally parallel to the bottom surface of the boat. The boat has a hull with either a flat or a sloped bottom surface. Various positioning systems include bite bars, bite rams, cambered drives, jack boxes, jack plates and various linkage configurations. In one aspect a tie bar links multiple drives together. In another aspect, a four-bar steering linkage enables variations in immersion depths of multiple propellers while maintaining constant toe-in. In yet another aspect, yaw steering is achieved using differential immersion between multiple propellers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drain plug retention system comprising a drain plug configured to open and close a drain hole located in the transom of a boat; a drain plug wrench configured to facilitate the removal and restoration of the drain plug with respect to the drain hole; and a floatation device configured to receive and to buoyantly support the drain plug wrench and the drain plug.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a solution is provided whereby rather than directly towing a pipe (30) from a tug (11), a cable (23) is suspended between two surface vessels (10, 11), and it is from this cable (23) that the pipe (30) itself is suspended at a plurality of points. By means of this arrangement, stress and fatigue is absorbed by the cable (23) rather than the pipe (30), that the pipe (30) arrives at its installation point with a correspondingly smaller loss in fatigue life.

Abstract: An integrated motor support and transmission apparatus for a marine propulsion system having a motor and marine drive with a drive shaft, comprising: an output shaft; a support housing attached to a marine vessel and having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end supporting the motor and the lower end substantially aligning the output shaft with the marine drive; and a transmission connecting the motor to the output shaft, whereby the motor, transmission, and output shaft can be installed in the marine vessel in a single operation.