Abstract: A trim tab control system adapted to adjust trim tabs to optimize the velocity of a water vessel. The trim tab control system is adapted to have a tilt sensor and a velocity sensor in communication with the microcontroller where the microcontroller records the position of the trim tabs based on trim tab adjustments that the trim tab control system initiates, as well as trim tab adjustments initiated by the helmsman of the water vessel.

Abstract: A support device for a marine propulsion system, such as an outboard motor, provides a swivel bracket that is rotatable about a tilt axis relative to a transom bracket with a hydraulic cylinder formed as an integral part of the swivel bracket. A vertical plane in which a central axis of the hydraulic cylinder is disposed is positioned between and parallel to vertical planes in which the tilt axis and steering axis are disposed, respectively. The steering axis is rotatable about the tilt axis and a horizontal plane in which the central axis is disposed remains above a horizontal plane in which the tilt axis is disposed.

Abstract: An inflatable towable device capable of both being towed across a surface and to hover over the surface is disclosed. The device includes an inflatable frame and a wing surface that extends across the bottom surface of the inflatable frame. The inflatable frame is aerodynamically shaped to includes an elongated central section with seating surfaces for a rider that extends into wing sections that curve around to extend alongside the central section. The wing surface extends between the central section and the side wing sections to provide a lightweight wing structure that provides sufficient lift for the device when being towed to enable the device to hover above the surface for long distances.

Abstract: A kayak paddle safety lighting system incorporated into a kayak paddle that may serve as a set of illumination or running lights more effective than current deck mounted running lights. The lighting system includes an operational switch located in the handle of the paddle, LEDs located in the paddles are preferably illuminated by activation of the switch and an included battery. In its preferred embodiment, the system includes a microcontroller which is programmed with a plurality of different operational lighting modes including steady dim and bright, intermittent flashing and distress signals as flashing the S.O.S. code. In a further preferred embodiment the components in the system are wireless, with the electrical communication being by means of an rf signal.

Abstract: Ground anchors, in particular tent stakes (100), comprise one or more inherently flexible tines (110), a ground compression plate (160), and various tie points (420, etc.) for attaching a guy rope or the like to the top of anchor. The compression plate extends perpendicularly or at a large angle to the tine so that when the guy rope pulls on the anchor, the tine will tend to rotate about an underground fulcrum so that the compression plate will press against the ground and help the anchor resist pullout. The anchors are driven into the ground with a hammer or mallet. The tie points include hooks (420), closed holes (520), and swivel types comprising vertical members (810) with restraining, bulbous tops (820). An additional spring tie point (1600) can be inserted into optional lugs (1094, 1096) in the compression plate. The stakes can be driven into the ground vertically, or at an angle for additional holding force in some situations. They can also incorporate angled compression plates (160H, 160I).

Abstract: An improved sailboat swivel base consisting of a rotating arm that supports both a guide pulley on one end and a rope securing cleat on the opposite end. The arm swivels about a center bearing, housed in a base which is fastened to a fixed structure such as the deck of a boat. A sail control rope, passing through the guide pulley and secured by the cleat, is tensioned by the force of the sail. The tension force of the line pulls the guide pulley end of the rotating arm toward the sail and sends the securing cleat away from the sail. This rotation aligns the cleat with the direction of pull for easy operation. When the sailboat changes tacks and the sails reverse position the rotating arm will follow the sail to the new side and self-tack the swivel base.

Abstract: An outboard motor is equipped with a centrifugal clutch located between the crankshaft of an engine and a rotor of an electric motor for, when the engine operates, transmitting its output to through the rotor to a propeller, and with a motor output transmission mechanism for, when the engine does not operate, transmitting the output of the motor to the crankshaft. The engine can therefore be started by the motor used to drive the propeller. As a result, there is no need to install a separate electric motor for engine starting, so that starting of the engine by electric power can be made possible with minimum increase in the size and cost of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A mechanism for maintaining a surface such as a landing pad in a desired orientation with respect to a supporting surface includes a pair of columns that rotate with respect to each other. The angle at which the columns engage, or the angle at which the columns engage the surface and the supporting surface, are offset with respect to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. By selectively rotating the columns with respect to each other and with respect to the supporting surface, the tilt and orientation of the surface are adjusted.

Abstract: An unmanned system performs inspection, identification and/or neutralization of underwater objects. An unmanned vehicle that operates at a water's surface stows underwater crawling and/or swimming vehicles that can operate underneath a water's surface. A winch associated with each robotic vehicle is mounted on the unmanned vehicle. An electro-mechanical tether electrically and mechanically couples a corresponding robotic vehicle to the unmanned vehicle, and is mechanically coupled to a corresponding winch for control of the paying out and reeling in thereof.

Abstract: A water sport board locking system includes multiple key members that are insertable into a slot of a fin box of a water sport board (e.g., a surf board, for example a surfboard. The key members include a key member that operates as a rotation deterrent element which prevents rotation of another key member when the key members are located in the fin box slot and secured together with a tether or padlock. The system can be used to secure a water sport board while a fin of the watersport board remains located in the fin box slot.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an elastic seal lid attached to an under cover to form a hermetic seal between the under cover and an exhaust release pipe while closing an opening of the under cover from which an outlet portion of the exhaust release pipe projects outwardly. The seal lid includes a tubular seal portion projecting from at least one surface of a plate-like body of the seal lid. The tubular seal portion has annular seal lips fitted around an outer circumferential surface of the exhaust release pipe. The tubular seal portion is elastically deformable relative to the lid body to thereby take up or absorb an offset between the exhaust release pipe and the opening of the under cover produced due to cumulative manufacturing and assembling tolerances of relevant parts of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.

Abstract: An emergency flotation device includes water-proof housings that are secured to a selected portion of the vehicle such that the housings are mounted medially of the vehicle's tires. Selectively inflatable flotation bags are operably coupled and permanently conjoined to the housings. The flotation bags are deployable downwardly and outwardly wherein lateral portions of the flotation bags wrap beneath and around the tires such that a bottom half of the tires are completely encapsulated by the flotation bags. Each tire receives one flotation bag thereabout. A pneumatic mechanism is included for automatically inflating and deflating the flotation bags. The pneumatic mechanism is disposed within the housings and is spaced from the tires. A mechanism is included for sensing a water level engaged with the tires. The water level sensing mechanism is connected to the pneumatic mechanism for instructing the pneumatic mechanism to inflate and deflate the tires during emergency situations.

Abstract: A device for mechanically securing an anchor chain on a watercraft under control from one or more remote locations, additionally providing remote indication of whether the chain is secured and whether the chain is free to move. Furthermore, when the watercraft is under way, the device restrains the anchor from accidentally launching from its storage position, thereby obviating the need for a safety cable. The device is electrically fail-safe, in that it continues to secure the anchor under conditions of electrical failure. Key components of the device include a frame and rotatable pawl for securing the chain, a spring to urge the pawl toward a position that secures the chain, a solenoid that can urge the pawl toward a position that frees the chain, and a switch to control the solenoid. The invention provides methods for weighing anchor, dropping anchor, increasing anchor scope, and reducing anchor scope.

Abstract: A hand thrown flying disk used in rescuing individuals in distress comprising of a length of line (10) of which one end is connected to an anchoring clip (11) and a handle (14). With the use of double sided adhesive pads (28 & 24) the other end is spirally wound on top of the cover (26) and the disk (18). A loop (27) is attached to the line which allows for the removal of the cover when the disk is thrown. The end of the line is then fed through the hole on the top (22) and then terminated by weaving it through the holes on the side (23). The end is secured by tucking the end into the weaving. The hole (20) provides for an easy grabbing point.

Abstract: An anchoring system for securing hardware having an aperture to a deck using a fastener, the anchoring system including a tie-down, an attachment lug configured to engage the tie-down, and a stud extending outwardly from the attachment lug. The tie-down includes a plate with a recess formed therein, and at least two arms traversing the recess. The attachment lug includes a base with a stud receiving aperture formed therein, and a cylindrical sidewall extending outwardly from the base. The cylindrical sidewall of the attachment lug has at least two notches extending partially therearound adapted to receive the at least two arms of the tie-down. The stud is insertable through the aperture in the hardware so that the fastener can be received on the stud to effectively clamp the hardware to the deck.

Abstract: A modular floating dock system utilizing steel frame modules that are interconnected to form the dock system desired, the modules preferably having a concrete deck and pontoons or floats with the modules being interconnected with high strength bolts with a primary shock pad being interposed between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A power generating and propelling system of a vessel has an electric power generating device (10) installed between an internal combustion engine (2) and a transmission (3). A stator (11) of the generating device (10) is built in a flywheel housing (21a) of the internal combustion engine (2) or a casing (10a) connected to the flywheel housing (21a). A rotary shaft of the generating device (10) is disposed coaxially or eccentrically parallel to a crankshaft (2a) of the internal combustion engine (2) or an input shaft (3a) of the transmission (3) in the same direction with the crankshaft (2a) of the internal combustion engine (2).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods useful for helping to center watercraft—such as personal watercraft, ski boats, fishing boats, luxury boats, and the like—as they are docked (such as on trailers or watercraft-lifting systems), especially in rough waters and/or strong crosswinds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing surface friction drag on the hull of a surface vessel by entraining air into water flowing in the boundary layer flow along the hull. The apparatus creates a reduced pressure region by diverting a first portion of the flow away from the surface of the hull. An air pocket is formed in the reduced pressure region and a second portion of the flow is directed through the air pocket by nozzles, which acts as a plunging jet and entrains air into the boundary layer.