Abstract: A gyroscopic roll stabilizer for a boat includes an enclosure mounted to a gimbal for rotation about a gimbal axis and configured to maintain a below-ambient pressure, and a flywheel assembly including a flywheel and flywheel shaft, with the flywheel assembly rotatably mounted inside the enclosure for rotation about a flywheel axis. The gyroscopic roll stabilizer also includes a motor operative to rotate the flywheel assembly and disposed inside the enclosure. A motor cooling circuit is configured to transfer heat away from the motor. The motor cooling circuit has a closed fluid pathway for recirculating cooling fluid therein. The fluid pathway includes a fluid channel jointly defined by the motor and the enclosure and having the cooling fluid therein. The gyroscopic roll stabilizer is configured to transfer heat away from the motor to the cooling fluid. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally toward sailing vessels. One example is a catamaran with one or more pivoting masts per hull member, which may pivot from a generally perpendicular upright position, to a generally flat stowed position toward the bow of the hulls. The masts are capable of sustaining a plurality of sails, which may travel 180 degrees with respect to the hulls.

Abstract: An outboard motor and methods of use thereof in general, includes a powerhead removeably affixed to the transom of a boat, and a gear case rotationally connected to a propeller shaft, the outboard motor including a telescopic drive shaft, the telescopic drive shaft having a first drive shaft section rotationally connected to the motor and a second drive shaft section rotationally connected to the gear case, and a telescopic drive shaft housing, the telescopic drive shaft housing configured to support the telescopic drive shaft internally therethrough, whereby the telescopic drive shaft and the telescopic drive shaft housing are configured to provide depth adjustment for the gear case and the propeller shaft, and thus enable the propeller to be raised and lowered during propulsion to improve propulsion efficiency.

Abstract: Wakeboat ballast pump systems and methods are provided to monitor the operational condition and parameters of wakeboat ballast components. Systems and methods for sensing and measurement are provided to detect parameters associated with wakeboat ballast pumps and compartments, including systems and methods that can economically retrofit into existing wakeboat ballast systems. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action based on various operational conditions and parameters to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast pumps.

Abstract: Systems to prevent water ingestion during use of an electrically powered inflation system for an inflatable device in order to ensure that the inflatable device remains either upright in the water during the inflation process, or that prevents water from entering the inflation system air intake during the inflation process, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system includes an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), a reaction structure configured to deploy from a body of the UUV, and one or more tendons connecting the reaction structure to the body of the UUV, wherein the reaction structure deploys at a depth below the body of the UUV. The system further includes one or more power take-out (PTO) units coupled to or between the reaction structure and the UUV. The system further includes a control unit coupled to the one or more PTO units to convert energy from waves on a surface of a body of water for use in other systems within the UUV.

Abstract: The current invention offers an instrumental improvement to the prior art of USPTO Rudofsky U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,029 Motorized Surf Boots by providing a connecting Chassis Assembly that provides a rider the ability to lean into or “carve” through a turn (like a downhill snow skier or in-line roller skater does) while keeping each of the boards of the Motorized Surf Boots parallel to each other, at a predetermined distance from each other, and in-line with each other (meaning one board will not shift ahead or lag behind the other). Also included in this chassis invention is a device that provides an automatic and adjustable dampened spring back action, which serves to re-center the Chassis, thus the Surf Boots back into an upright or vertical position, in order to assist the rider in controllably ending the “carving” action and instead continue to move in a straight direction.

Abstract: A hinged floatation device in which the two end portions of one elongate floatation panel are pivotably attached to the two end portions of another elongate floatation panel such that the floatation panels can be pivoted with respect to each other from a compact storage and carrying positioned, where one panel lies substantially flat against the other, to various deployed positions in which the two panels bow outwardly away from each other for sitting in the device while floating, laying on the device while floating, or floating in a vertical position with the device positioned around the user's torso.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, systems, and methods that involve automatically lifting a boat cover above an interior of the boat.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for a pontoon covering system are described herein. In an example, a pontoon cover on a spindle is mounted to the rear of the pontoon using a one or more mounting brackets, the mounting bracket including a first portion configured to translate longitudinally with respect to second portion. The cover can be positioned over a support structure connected to the pontoon. The support structure may al low the cover, including a cover securing member support to be aligned with a cover securing member attached to the side of the pontoon. The cover may be secured in the front by a front securing member, and pulled taut over the support structure by turning a handle connected to the spindle while the cover securing member is secured or engaged at least partially within the cover securing member support.

Abstract: A protective fender for a watercraft includes a plurality of attachment mechanisms configured to secure the protective fender to an exterior portion of the watercraft. The protective fender further includes a fender body, wherein a first surface of the fender body that contacts the exterior portion of the watercraft comprises a smooth surface. The protective fender also includes a plurality of adjustable-length straps. A first adjustable-length strap secures an upper-left quadrant of the fender body upwards to a first attachment mechanism of the plurality of attachment mechanisms, and a second adjustable-length strap secures an upper-right quadrant of the fender body upwards to a second attachment mechanism of the plurality of attachment mechanisms.

Abstract: Vessel (60), comprising a transverse bow (62) with an elongated bow fender (10) protruding with respect to the bow (62), which bow fender (10) is designed to be pushed against a stationary object (50), said vessel 60) further comprises at least two engagement arms (20) with telescopic parts (22,24), said engagements arms (20) are mounted in a position above the bow fender (10) and facing each other, and each engagement arm (20) is pivotable against each other for engagement with the stationary object (50) from opposite directions. Each engagement arm (20) comprises a tiltable engagement pad (26) with a contacting surface (26a) creating stabilizing contact between the contacting surfaces (26a) of the engagement pads (26) and at least a part of the stationary object (50), said engagement pads (26) being tiltable about an axis running in same longitudinal direction as the engagement arms (20).

Abstract: A device that can be easily and releasably fixed, moved, and reattached in any desired location on a boat; and provides for the easy attachment and securing of multiple ropes or other fastening means, at the same time, which are then attached to a single or multiple boat fender(s) or other floatation device(s) to facilitate the proper placement and location of the boat fender(s) or other floatation device(s) in relation to the boat, as needed, in that location.

Abstract: A subsurface diver transport vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one propulsion device. The vehicle body incorporates a number of individual mission modules mechanically assembled together to define a substantially continuous hull and deck of the vehicle. The mission modules include at least one battery module adapted for supplying electrical current to electrical subsystems of the vehicle. The propulsion device is attached to the vehicle body and capable of propelling the vehicle through a body of water.

Abstract: A roller ball assembly that provides a safe, efficient, unobtrusive and easy to install load conveyance system to facilitate the travel of a watercraft on or off of a floating vessel platform with no or minimal potential of causing damage to the watercraft's hull or to the float modules. The roller ball assembly is comprised of a sphere rotatable with respect to a floating vessel platform. A number of roller ball assemblies can be mounted into a floating vessel platform in the junction areas of float modules.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for enhancing steering control of a personal watercraft. An electrically actuated device is coupled to the steering system of the personal watercraft and applies torque to the steering system. At least one sensor is positioned adjacent the steering system and generates operational data of the personal watercraft. At least one controller is coupled to the electrically actuated device and the at least one sensor, and is configured to determine a first torque to apply to the steering system based on the operational data responsive to a second torque being applied to the steering system. The at least one controller is further configured to operate the electrically actuated device to apply the first torque to the steering system for providing enhanced steering control of the personal watercraft, with the first torque being applied only by the electrically actuated device.

Abstract: A marine fender can stick to, and conform to, the hull of a boat and protect the hull from abrasions and impacts. It can remain attached to the side of the boat despite motion of the boat and hard impacts or friction with neighboring objects. The marine fender can be rapidly and straightforwardly applied to, and/or removed from, the side of the boat hull. A boat can be protected by a number of individual fenders, and the group of fenders can be dissembled from each other when desired, and stowed in a relatively small area.

Abstract: A pontoon boat including a thruster system is disclosed.

Abstract: A fender system for a watercraf includes: a fender body defining an insertion recess in a peripheral surface of the fender body; a first connecting feature disposed at least in part in the insertion recess of the fender body; and a connecting base configured to be connected to the watercraft. The connecting base includes a second connecting feature. The first connecting feature is configured to engage the second connecting feature for stowing the fender body on the watercraft. It is also contemplated that a fender system for a watercraft includes: a fender body defining an insertion recess in a peripheral surface of the fender body; and a first connecting feature disposed at least in part in the insertion recess of the fender body. The first connecting feature is configured to engage a second connecting feature disposed on a part of the watercraft for stowing the fender body on the watercraft.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes recreational watercraft including a drop down boarding point. One example includes a hull, an open platform passenger deck, and a plurality of sides, continuous from the hull. The watercraft includes a panel drop down boarding point, hingedly attached horizontally to the hull, for ingress and egress of persons to the watercraft. The panel drop down boarding point includes a first surface interior to the watercraft when the panel drop down boarding point is closed, a second surface, opposite to the first surface and exterior to the watercraft when the panel drop down boarding point is closed, and an aperture formed between the first surface and the second surface and having an opening in an end surface of the panel drop down boarding point. The aperture is sized and shaped to house a retractable ladder and for the ladder to extend out through the opening.