Abstract: A device for emergency towing of vessels. The device has a structure and function for storage where active parts are protected against adverse external influence, thereby making the device ready for use without the risk of jamming or other malfunctions. The device can be easily and rapidly activated, and the towing wire can be extended even on a dead ship. The device includes a braking arrangement in which the braking of the towing wire can be conducted with an increasing braking effect, from no braking to complete braking of the extended towing wire.

Abstract: A watercraft hull having at least one removable protective wear strip. The watercraft hull includes at least one mounting groove extending along the longitudinal length of the watercraft hull along the lowermost portion of the hull. A wear strip is removably attached to each mounting groove such that when the watercraft hull is pulled from the water, the wear strip contacts the shore to prevent damage to the watercraft hull. A series of attachment devices is embedded in the watercraft hull along the mounting groove. A series of connectors passes through the wear strip to removably attach the wear strip to the mounting groove contained in the watercraft hull. When the wear strip becomes worn, the wear strip can be removed from the watercraft hull and replaced with a new wear strip.

Abstract: A lockable storage cover is a single-unit which may be used to contain and safely lock down gear commonly used with smaller boats, and to form, in conjunction with a space on the boat, a storage locker. The lockable storage cover is designed for use with any small boat having an opening, especially a cockpit opening, in any situation where an operator has a need to secure and lock his/her sailing gear, either for reasons of convenience, theft deterrent, or shipping. Smaller gear such as a rudder and tiller and tiller extension are secured to the underside of cover, the cover is placed over a center cockpit of a boat and may be locked, enclosing the smaller gear within the cockpit and transforming the cockpit into a storage locker. Spars may be placed in the set of spar supports atop the lockable storage cover and secured by one or more moveable arms which may be locked in place and which doubles as a kickstand on which to prop the lockable storage cover for convenience.

Abstract: An improved outboard propulsion system for a vessel in which an intake duct having an intake orifice positioned for receiving water. The intake duct includes a curved flow path directing walls curved continuously to provide a 180 degree turn for the water so as to direct the water flowing in an initial direction to a direction opposite the initial direction. An annular duct contiguous with the intake duct at the end of the intake duct is positioned opposite the intake orifice. The annular duct has walls curved continuously to provide a second substantially 180 degree turn to direct water flowing therethrough through a continuous change in direction of substantially 180 degrees such that the water is flowing in a direction approximate that of its initial direction at the intake orifice and substantially opposite the direction to which it entered the annular duct. An impeller discharges into a mixed flow volute.

Abstract: In a surfboard of the type including spaced-apart top and bottom surfaces and an elongated recess formed therebetween for removably anchoring the base of a surfboard fin therein, a shallow draft surfboard fin socket for location in the recess in bonded engagement therewith including an elongated housing including a narrow bottom wall, spaced-apart upstanding elongated side walls, and spaced-apart upstanding short front and rear end walls, all joined together along their intersecting marginal edges to form an elongated cavity configured to receive therein the base of the fin, a flange extending outward from the side and end walls for location between the top and bottom surfboard surfaces, the housing side and end walls extending above the flange a distance sufficient to locate the upper marginal edges of the walls above the bottom surface of the surfboard and, first and second recesses formed in the front and rear housing walls respectively, interior the cavity, for receipt therein of a protrusion, formed at t

Abstract: A marine outdrive attachable to the transom of a small fishing boat having an inboard engine. The marine outdrive includes a kit having through transom mounting plate, a fabricated propeller shaft housing pivotally attached to a pivot member which is pivotally attached to said transom plate thereby providing freedom of movement in two planes. The outdrive is supported and maintained under tension in the horizontal plane by a flexible member and a shock absorber thus maintaining automatically contact with any surface in contact with the boat's keel. A kit is provided containing all essential components and instructions for installation of the outdrive on a small fishing craft. All working components are off the shelf stock items or fabricated for easy field repair.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine bottom cover member which is disposed in a space between a front portion of an under cover and an upper portion of an outboard motor attachment mechanism and conceals a bottom end portion of an engine from view at least in a lateral direction of the outboard motor. The outboard motor having such concealed engine bottom portion is sightly in appearance. The engine bottom cover member is formed integrally with an under cover and, hence, it can be assembled automatically when the under cover is attached to the under case.