Abstract: A travel stop block has a rectilinear configuration, front and rear and top and bottom faces and with parallel side faces. A jack plate has two vertically aligned apertures in a central extent. The travel stop block has a pair of vertically aligned apertures in the rear face aligned with the apertures of the jack plate. Bolts extend through the apertures of the jack plate and the travel stop block. In this manner the travel stop block is secured to the jack plate. The travel stop block is located between an upper and lower transom bars. When the jack plate and motor are in a lower most orientation, the travel stop block will be in contact with a lower transom bar. When the jack plate and motor are in an upper most orientation, the travel stop block will be in contact with an upper transom bar.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine installed in an engine compartment 15 covered with an engine cover C is provided with an intake air passage P. The intake air passage P extends continuously from an intake air inlet Pi to intake air outlets Pe in the engine compartment 15 and has a first down passage 62, a reversing passage 63, an up passage 64 and a second down passage 67c arranged in the order in the flowing direction of combustion air. The combustion air taken through the intake air inlet Pi into the intake air passage P flows down through the first down passage 62, the reversing passage 63 reverses the flowing direction of the combustion air that has flowed down through the first down passage 62 such that the combustion air flows up, flows up through the up passage 64 to a position at a level higher than that of an uppermost intake air outlet Pe. Then, the combustion air flows down through the second down passage 67c and flows through the intake air outlets Pe into combustion chambers 30.

Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system is presented that uses hydrofoils mounted on the vessel. The hydrofoils create a counteracting force to the waves that would otherwise cause the vessel to roll and pitch. The hydrofoil is connected to the vessel in both passive and an active modes. The hydrofoil consists of a number of configurations that include a number of attached struts and foils which provide additional counteracting forces in response to wave action.

Abstract: A device for the extraction of a submerged rope used to moor a boat, includes a rigid bar having joined thereto: a rope, the lower end of which is solidly connected to a mooring post; a water hose which is connected to a water supply at the port and which is used to supply water next to the tip of the rope; an inflatable element; and an element for limiting the course of the rigid bar upon inflation of the inflatable element, in order to maintain the assembly on the water bottom when the inflatable element is deflated and in order to remove the rope and the hose from the water to an adjustable height in relation to the level of the water when the inflatable element is inflated. The rigid bar can be a telescopic bar and, as such, the length thereof can be adjusted. In addition, the rigid bar can be raised with a hydraulic arm.

Abstract: An inflatable rope comprises three layers, a bladder, a sheath, and a fitted, perforated plastic bag to keep the inflatable rope in a compressed form. The compressed form can be hurled through the air at great distance to a person overboard. The inflatable rope can be inflated to a size that eases the ability of the person, who has lost dexterity in frigid water, to hold on to it for rescuing.

Abstract: A vertical damping system for a plurality of water vessels for diminishing the relative vertical movement between two or more water vessels moored in a skin-to-skin orientation. The vertical damping system may include one or more vertical damping devices, each device pivotally connected to a side portion of a first vessel and detachably connecting to a side portion of a second vessel. The vertical damping device may be a piston/cylinder arrangement and the damping system may involve more than two water vessels. The vertical damping system counteracts the effect of roll motion on water vessels, thereby enabling ship-to-ship functions such as cargo loading and the like.

Abstract: A method for the efficiency-increasing discharging of exhaust gases of internal combustion engines of boats into the water surrounding the boats is disclosed. The exhaust gases and a flow of water drawn from the surrounding water are mixed together in a low air pressure field, the low pressure of the low pressure field being produced by a reduction in the cross-section of the flow of water before mixing ensues.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a flotation device or watercraft propelled through the water using a (ever powered propulsion system. The lever powered propulsion system includes human powered actuating levers operably connected to a reciprocating propulsion device. As a rider powers the levers up and down, that motion translates to the propulsion device, which cycles through a high drag propulsion phase and low drag recovery phase.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements in the efficiency of a sailing vessel through the use of flaps, hydrofoils, or members on the keel of a sailing vessel. One or more are positioned at the top, or root of the keel of the vessel, which primarily generate a force in the windward direction to provide a counter-leeward drift force. One or more are located at the bottom, or tip of the keel of the vessel, which primarily generate a force in the leeward direction to provide a counter-heeling moment. Among other benefits, operation of these flaps, hydrofoils, or members during sailing increases the vessel's efficiency, in particular its velocity made good. Further, since they are mounted on one appendage, sailing vessels of a rudder and keel design can be equipped with counter leeward-drift and counter-heeling attributes without the need for additional appendages.

Abstract: Personal watercraft systems and watercraft power systems are described. The personal watercraft power systems include a housing for supporting a water jet pump and engine system. The housing is constructed to support the power system and removably engage a watercraft. An engine and a centrifugal pump are enclosed in the housing and operatively connected by an endless drive, such as a belt. A crankshaft of the engine is generally aligned and offset for a pump shaft of the centrifugal pump. An impeller is connected to the pump shaft and is constructed in rotate in a plane generally aligned, and preferably offset from, a plane of a water surface. The orientation of the engine and the centrifugal pump provides a watercraft power system that has a reduced profile and is particularly applicable for watercraft constructed to support an operator in a prone position.

Abstract: A cooling system for a marine propulsion device provides a closed portion of the cooling system which recirculates coolant through the engine block and cylinder head, the exhaust manifold, and the exhaust elbow. It provides a pressure relief cap connected to the exhaust elbow and a low velocity portion of the coolant jacket of the exhaust elbow to facilitate the release of gas and coolant when pressures exceed a preselected magnitude.

Abstract: A lighted holder for holding a container having therein an individual serving of a liquid, such as a beverage. In one application, the cup holder is installed in a hull of a boat.

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: An application for a boat tower load relief system includes a boat tower support post connected to a receptacle for the boat tower support post by a hinge. The boat tower load relief system includes a torsion spring with a first end, a first winding, a central bend, a second winding and a second end. The central bend pushes on a boat tower support post section of the hinge and the first end and the second end of the torsion spring push on a support plate which is attached to the receptacle for the boat tower post.

Abstract: A boat control system includes trim tabs mounted on the lower transom of a boat, with an electric trolling motor attached to each tab. A user control provides commands to control positioning of the trim tabs and operation of the motors. Steering with the motors is provided by controlling the relative speed and propeller direction of the motors. The user control includes an input for generating a return-to-center command that causes the motors to be driven at the same speed and in the same direction.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: A fairing assembly is provided for a towed body having multiple sections that are flexibly joined together. For each pair of sections, a fairing is joined to the first section and positioned over the space between the pairs of sections. The fairing has discrete tabs that extend from the first section across the space between the sections. The tabs are separated to allow angular displacement of the first section with respect to the second section. Two layers of overlapping tabs are provided for reducing hydrodynamic forces in between the sections.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: An outboard engine unit having plural electronic components is disclosed. The electronic components are wholly supported by a single bracket which is mounted to a crankcase through a vibration damping rubber grommet.