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: Embodiments of the disclosure include a flotation device or watercraft propelled through the water using a lever 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. In an embodiment, the propulsion system comprises a hydraulic system. In addition, the hydraulic system drives a carriage that orients a device or devices in a high drag state, then reorients the device or devices in a low drag state. Such devices capable of orientation are referred to herein as “hilos,” or “hilo devices.

Abstract: A safety system of a harness, in particular of the trapezoidal type, is suitable for use on watercraft such as a yacht or windsurfer. A basic element (10) is coupled to the harness. A hook (15), suitable for being hooked by a cable, is coupled to the basic element (10). The basic element (10) has a first piece (31) connected to the harness and a second piece (30, 15) that can be disconnected from said first piece (31). The first piece (31) is coupled to the second piece (30, 15) by a coupling (32) that can be removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory system simulating the biomechanical motion of manual paddling such as with a canoe or small boat. The system comprises: a watercraft attaching portion having width-adjusting members, an array of levers and members, paddle attaching members, a pedal system, and linkage therebetween, all forming a mechanical structure adapted to simulate the biomechanical motion commonly used by manual-propulsion watercraft operators.

Abstract: A float structure having a mainframe and pontoons is described. The mainframe includes floor support beams transversely attached to pontoon connector beams. The pontoon connector beams are operatively connected to the pontoons such that there are no weak points in the mainframe. A motor mount is removably mounted to the connector beams and is adjustable to accommodate various lengths of motor shafts.

Abstract: A system for deploying a cable, such as a ship's anchor chain, wherein the chain is measured as it is deployed and the deployed length displayed on a visual display. The chain consists of links of a first composition, with indicator links of a second composition disbursed at regular intervals along the length of the chain. A sensor, such as a magnetometer or densimeter senses the difference between the links of the first composition and the indicator links of the second composition. A computer then multiplies the number of indicator links deployed by the regular interval to determine the length of deployed chain, which is then displayed on a display board which is located proximate the sensor or remotely. The linkage between the sensor and the display board may be either by wire or wireless connection. The system may be applied to a rope or continuous cable with equal effectiveness.

Abstract: In a boat having a seat, a steering wheel, and an outboard motor, an outboard motor steering system is provided, where the steering wheel is installed near the seat a steering angle sensor installed near the steering wheel for outputting a signal indicative of a steering angle of the steering wheel. The steering system also includes a swivel shaft connected to a propeller to turn the propeller relative to the boat, and an electric motor connected to the swivel shaft for rotating the swivel shaft in response to the detected steering angle. The steering system also includes a manipulation load regulation mechanism, such as a hydraulic damper, to produce an added load for increasing a manipulation load of the steering wheel, thereby enabling reduced operator load by using the electric motor to steer the outboard motor, while improving the operator's feel of steering wheel manipulation.

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 marine vessel that possesses a capability for greater speed than most static-lift craft and is more stable than most dynamic-lift craft is disclosed. The vessel incorporates elements from both SWATH craft and WIG craft. In the illustrative embodiment, the marine vessel includes an upper hull that is disposed above the water line, a dynamic-lift-providing element that is disposed above the water line, a propulsion system that is disposed above the water line, a static-lift-providing element that is disposed below the water line, a propulsion system that is disposed below the water line; and struts that couple the static-lift-providing element to the upper hull and that raise the upper hull some distance above the water line.

Abstract: A submersible surface-planing vessel has the capability to operate with a lowered profile on surface propulsion to lessen the visibility of the vessel, and sink to the bottom for temporary storage, followed by resurfacing and dewatering to operate as a planing craft. Surface propulsion is provided by an engine system which can be totally sealed when the vessel submerges. A buoyancy system, which may include both open and closed ballast tanks, permit the vessel to sink, refloat or to be of neutral buoyancy as required. The vessel is constructed to maintain the center of buoyancy above the vessel's center of gravity irrespective of the degree of fill of the ballast tanks to maintain the vessel in an upright orientation at all times when under water and transitioning between surface and submerged states.

Abstract: An adjustable wake-forming apparatus attachable to a boat stern providing means for generating waves of a particular form for water sport activities. The attachment is comprised of a pair of blades fastened to the transom by a plurality of struts. The present invention provides for the use of the wave maker on boats having either an inboard or outboard engine. Each of the provided designs places the blades in a spaced away relationship to the engine propeller. Operatively, the blades have a top edge and curvilinearly diverging bottom edge with anterior and posterior ends linearly skewed causing a plow-like movement through the water.

Abstract: A method of assembling a dock is provided. The method includes positioning a first dock module adjacent a second dock module wherein each dock module includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewalls extending therebetween. Each top surface includes at least one channel extending between opposed sidewalls, each bottom surface includes at least one pocket therein, and each sidewall includes at least one coupling slot extending from the top surface. A first coupling slot of the first dock module is substantially aligned with a first coupling slot of the second dock module. The method also includes inserting a first coupler into the first coupling slot of the first dock module and into the first coupling slot of the second dock module such that the dock modules are secured to one another.

Abstract: An inexpensive easy to use and reusable propeller blade cover. The blade cover of the invention may be used on many kinds and sizes of propeller blades, but are particularly suited for use on boat propellers, and can used to prevent damage to property and protect individuals from injury due to unintended contact with an uncovered boat propeller. The propeller covers of the invention may also be used to display advertising.

Abstract: In a twin screw marine vessel that has two engines arranged in tandem along the vessel's centerline, a drive system allows both engines to drive the propellers or, alternatively, either engine to drive both propellers independently (e.g. one in forward, the other in reverse) while the other engine is disengaged and shut down. The output of each engine engages and disengages with one of two chain drives with the use of a clutch. A third clutch is provided between the two chain drives for selectively engaging and disengaging the chain drives with one another. An under/overdrive unit on the output of each chain drive is linked to a respective port or starboard V-drive via a universal drive shaft. Each V-drive has an internal transmission for selective clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of a correspondingly driven one of the port and starboard propellers. The under/overdrive units allow for a change in gear ratio between single engine and twin engine drive for maximum efficiency.

Abstract: A gyrostabilizer system that counteracts the natural rolling motion of a small boat or vessel. The invention constitutes an improvement in prior art systems of this type in that the system weighs less because it has a much lighter rotor made of composite materials spinning at much higher speeds. The gyrostabilizer system includes a lightweight rotor spinning at very high speeds to attain a large angular momentum. The mass of the rotor is concentrated away from the spin axis of the rotor to maximize angular momentum while minimizing weight. The rotor is mounted in a frame that, in turn, is mounted on gimbals so that the frame can be rotated about an axis that is normal to the longitudinal roll axis of the vessel. When the rotor is rotated about the gimbals, a torque is created that opposes the torque created by the sea and reduces the rolling motion of the vessel. The rotor may be mounted in an evacuated chamber to reduce air drag.

Abstract: Systems and processes for controlling and/or preventing fouling of marine vessel hulls and fixed structures are disclosed. The systems and processes deliver an anti-fouling composition through a dispersing means, such as dispersion tubing, to the surface of a vessel hull or fixed structure below the water line. Also disclosed are methods of controlling the delivery of an anti-fouling composition to the surface of a vessel hull or fixed structure below the waterline, including the steps of generating signals representative of parameters such as current flow direction and speed and water temperature, to identify and control the proper volume release rate of the anti-fouling solution.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the field of wind propelled vehicles. The goal of the invention is to provide large sails creating no overturning force. This is achieved by placing the top part of the sail above the vehicle and the bottom part of the sail aside from the vehicle.

Abstract: A catamaran-type water craft includes a frame (1) which is fixed on two bodies forming floats (2) and a sail (5) for wind-driven displacement when the floats are on a stretch of water, characterized in that the water craft includes a central piloting station (6–8) whereby the pilot sits on a seat (7) of the piloting station, is provided with a handlebar which is located within arm's reach and which is used to control the orientation of steering rudders respectively provided at the rear thereof with two floats (2), in addition to a tappet for adjusting the useful length of a control element for the orientation of the sail in relation to the frame, passing via a return pulley which is advantageously provided at the end of a swinging boom fixed to the rear of the water craft beyond the floats.

Abstract: The watercraft described herein is a surfboard, skim board, dive board, or boat having a propelling fin driven by a standing surfer or boater with an upward and downward stroke which may be used to propel the watercraft by an upward and downward fin motion. The surfboard and dive board in particular are used on water and may be used to ride ocean swells and waves. The surfer or diver stands on the board and moves a vertical handle upwardly and down-ward. The lower end of this handle is pivotally attached to a parallel bar device having attachment means to the board at a forward end of the parallel bar device and having attachment means to a fin at the aft ward end of the parallel bar device. The fin is generally horizontal and is driven thru the water up and downwardly by the standing user and propels the board forward at higher rates of speed than can be achieved by prone-paddling.

Abstract: A comfort hand grip for a shaft comprises a tubular member formed of a closed cell resilient polymer material core; and a water resistant coating on each side of the core. The comfort grip is sized so as to be slightly stretched when positioned on a shaft, and includes an indexing mark for proper orientation of the paddle. The resilient polymer core may be formed of a rubber, and the coating of an ultraviolet resistant flexible material such as nylon. The hand grip may be formed from a die cut generally rectangular piece of material which is formed into the tubular structure by at least one of, for example, stitching which joins the opposite sides to one another; a lace through openings in joining portions of the material along the sides; a zipper having a side along each of the joining portions; and a set of hook and loop closures on opposite ones of the joining portions.