Abstract: A watercraft comprises a motor, an inertial mass, and a fin. The motor oscillates the inertial mass about an axis, producing a torque reaction on and oscillation of the motor. Oscillation of the motor is communicated to the fin, producing thrust. The system can be operated in reverse, to generate electric power when the system is in a flowing stream of thrust fluid.

Abstract: A trolling motor assembly including a main housing and a shaft rotatably coupled therewith. The shaft is rotatable through a first angular displacement about its longitudinal axis that exceeds 360 degrees. A first gear coupled with the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A second gear coupled with the first gear has an axis of rotation spaced apart from the longitudinal axis and is rotatable through a second angular displacement that exceeds the first angular displacement. A plurality of discs coupled with the second gear are rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to one another and to the second gear. A first disc defines a first stop that is rotatable into and out of engagement with a second stop coupled with the second gear. A second disc defines a third stop that is rotatable into and out of engagement with a fourth stop coupled with the main housing.

Abstract: A variable ballast propulsion shipping vessel comprising a lead segment, a cargo segment(s), and/or a tail segment hingedly attached in series. Each lead and cargo segment includes a bottom-mounted fixed ballast, a top-mounted dorsal wing with rudder, and side mounted pairs of planed wings projecting laterally (fixed or stowable). An onboard variable ballast tank is selectively air filled using a compressed air compartment and water filled/exhausted using a ballast port(s). An battery bank is charged by an battery charger (e.g., using impellers) and powers an air compressor, rudder and/or planes. A cargo bay in the cargo segment(s) is accessible through a cargo door, a hatch, and/or a capped filler neck. A shipping vessel control system creates and distributes control commands (through wired and/or wireless interfaces) to selectively operate the respective ballast tanks of the lead and cargo segments to change travel state among positive, negative, and neutral buoyancies.

Abstract: A shipping vessel including a train for executing underwater travel is disclosed. The train is formed by a plurality of segments hingedly coupled to one another in a series. Each segment includes one or more variable ballast tanks and one or more hydrodynamic features. The shipping vessel includes a control system configured to cause the one or more variable ballast tanks of the plurality of segments to be selectively filled with and expelled of a fluid to correspondingly change buoyancies of the plurality of segments. The control system is configured to control the one or more hydrodynamic features in each segment to translate an underwater downward acceleration and the underwater upward acceleration into a desired direction as at least one of pitch and yaw. Thus, executing a glide maneuver to glide up and down underwater among the train of the plurality of segments and along a glide path.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes positioning, within a mold, a device with a movable element that defines a portion of a volume, and the volume is contained within the mold, as part of a molding process, at least partly defining a molded watercraft by introducing plastic into the mold, disposing the plastic about the movable element, and with the movable element, excluding the plastic from the portion of the volume that is defined by the movable element so as to define a recess and an undercut that are integral with the watercraft and extend lengthwise with respect to a centerline of the watercraft, and the recess and undercut are integral, and communicate, with each other.

Abstract: A boat, having a transom, includes one or more aft-facing seats. Each aft-facing seat is positioned proximate to the transom and includes a seat bottom that is inclined at a downward angle in a direction extending from aft to fore, a seatback, a headrest, a seat support structure having at least one hidden compartment therein, and at least one pivot mechanism attached to the seatback and the headrest and configured to allow the seatback to move between a first position in which the seatback is capable of supporting the back of a person seated in the seat and a second position in which the seatback is pivoted upwardly to allow access to the compartment and the headrest to move between an upright position and a folded position. A plurality of handles may be provided for each aft-facing seat, with one at an outboard side and another at an inboard side.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device includes an engine, an exhaust pipe to allow exhaust gas of the engine to pass through the exhaust pipe, and a cooling water supply passage to supply cooling water for the engine into the exhaust pipe toward a downstream side in a flow direction of the exhaust gas and cause the cooling water to flow circumferentially along an inner peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A boat includes a propulsion device and a surf device. The propulsion device is configured to move the boat in a forward direction through a body of water to generate a wake having a port-side wave and a starboard-side wave. The surf device includes an inlet, an impeller, and an outlet. The surf device is configured to draw water from the body of water through the inlet, accelerate the water by rotating the impeller, and discharge the accelerated water through the outlet to create a surfable wake.

Abstract: A marine vessel with a hull extending horizontally from a bow to a stern. The hull has opposing walls that extend upwardly with at least one of the opposing walls having a first opening therein. A tower has opposing feet with a raised section therebetween. The opposing feet are coupled to the opposing walls and one of the opposing feet is horizontally aligned at least in part with the first opening. An engine compartment is configured for positioning an engine therein. A first conduit fluidly couples the first opening and the engine compartment for at least one of ventilating and exhausting the engine compartment.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a drive source, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a first case, a second case, a third case, a bearing, and a bearing housing. The drive shaft extends downward from the drive source. The propeller shaft is connected to the drive shaft and extends in a front-rear direction of the outboard motor. The first case houses the drive source. The second case houses the propeller shaft. The third case is between the first case and the second case in a vertical direction of the outboard motor. The bearing rotatably supports the drive shaft. The bearing is between the first case and the second case in the vertical direction and outside the third case. The bearing housing supports the bearing. The bearing housing is between the first case and the second case in the vertical direction and outside the third case.

Abstract: An unidirectional propulsion system, having a base assembly with a motor, a rotary mechanism having at least two solenoids and a shaft, and a steering wheel assembly that mounts onto the shaft. The base assembly has a main base, first and second motor poles, and a motor top. The rotary mechanism has a bell housing and a housing base. The rotary mechanism and the base assembly are joined by a swivel. The rotary mechanism further has first and second solenoid tubes supported onto the housing base, a solenoid frame, and an upper frame. The solenoid tubes has respective solenoids, lower springs, upper springs, and bearings. The solenoid frame has first and second solenoid motors.

Abstract: A fin stabilizer is provided for a vessel and includes a fin which is supported by a shaft that extends below the waterline. The shaft is fixed in rotation along its elongate axis relative to the vessel and the fin includes an actuator mechanism which causes the fin to rotate around the shaft to counteract roll of the vessel. In some cases, the actuator may be hydraulic and the shaft may include passages therethrough to transfer hydraulic fluid/pressure from the vessel's interior hydraulic system through the shaft and into the actuator to cause the fin to rotate. The fin may also be able to pivot into a storage position where, for example, the shaft is folded into a cavity in the vessel hull.

Abstract: A buoy, and systems and methods for rescuing people isolated on large bodies of water are disclosed. The buoy includes a remotely activatable device that is activatable when a signal is received from a remote source. The activatable device may be a signaling device, or an assistance device that is deployable by the buoy to assist in rescuing a person. A marine communication system formed by a number of spaced apart rescue buoys is also provided. A message or key other information can be transmitted to every buoy in the network via communication with just one buoy. The methods for rescuing people isolated on large bodies of water involve providing the network of communication buoys that can receive communications from the isolated person's personal communication device, and then transmit a signal to remotely activate an activatable device in a buoy to assist in the rescue of the person.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel is described. The hybrid propulsion system includes a shaft coupled to a propeller, a planetary gear system configured to operate in a first configuration and a second configuration, and a motor-generator. The motor-generator is configured to selectively rotate with and provide torque to the shaft through the planetary gear system in the first configuration and to rotate independently from the shaft in the second configuration. The shaft extends from the propeller through the planetary gear system and the motor-generator to a torque producing device for the marine vessel.

Abstract: A marine vessel maneuvering system includes a controller configured or programmed to, when an operator is operated to move a marine vessel forward, perform a forward acceleration assist control to perform a control to generate a forward propulsive force in a propulsion generator of a marine propulsion unit that is not used when the operator is operated to move the marine vessel diagonally forward among three or more marine propulsion units.

Abstract: A collapsible transom for an inflatable raft has a front section including two parallel front struts and a rear section including a floor portion and a collapsible support portion. The floor portion includes two parallel rear struts, and the two parallel front struts and two parallel rear struts are slidably connectable to each other by insertion into tubular end portions. The support portion is pivotally connected to the floor portion and movable between an expanded position with the support portion substantially parallel to and spaced away from the floor to a collapsed position with the support portion adjacent the floor.

Abstract: Axial Flux Outboard Propulsion System for an Electric Boat having a first axial flux motor that is positioned adjacent to a second axial flux motor and the ability to selectively turn each motor on or off via the control system based on the request or need for torque.

Abstract: A power storage system for a marine vehicle is provided. The power storage system includes marine battery systems configured to provide energy to a marine vehicle load. Each marine battery system includes a battery and a three-position contactor configured to operate the marine battery system in one of a connected state, a disconnected state, or a bypass state. The power storage system further includes a controller coupled to each of the marine battery systems. The controller is configured to retrieve a preferred fault action for the marine battery systems, and in response to detection of a fault condition in the marine vehicle, control at least one three-position contactor of the marine battery systems according to the preferred fault action. The preferred fault action includes operating the marine battery system in the disconnected state or operating the marine battery system in the bypass state.

Abstract: A grounding skeg for a landing craft configured for stem landing onto, and setting off from, a ground surface, the grounding skeg including: an elongate grounding body having a fore end and an aft end; and a removable pulling propeller functionally connected to the fore end of the body; wherein the pulling propeller is able to drive the landing craft ahead and astern; and the grounding body is locatable on the landing craft such that; the grounding body provides contact with the ground surface during stem landing of the landing craft; the fore end of the grounding body faces a bow end of the landing craft; and the aft end of the grounding body faces a stem end of the landing craft.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a top cowl and a service lid on the top cowl is movable into and between a closed position enclosing the powerhead compartment and an open position providing manual access to the powerhead compartment from above the outboard motor. An engine is in the powerhead compartment, wherein a peripheral gap is defined between the top cowl and the engine. A serviceable engine oil device is in the peripheral gap and is manually accessible from above the outboard motor when the service lid is in the open position. A serviceable transmission fluid device is in the peripheral gap and is manually accessible from above the outboard motor when the service lid is in the open position. A serviceable gearcase fluid device is in the peripheral gap and is manually accessible from above the outboard motor when the service lid is in the open position.