Abstract: A fish-like underwater robot includes a shell, a driving assembly and an integrated tension and swing component. The integrated tension and swing component includes a plurality of tension ropes and tension elements. Every two adjacent tension elements are connected in series through the plurality of tension ropes. The driving assembly and the integrated tension and swing component are disposed inside the shell. The driving assembly is disposed at a head of the shell. The integrated tension and swing component has an end connected to a tail of the shell and an end connected to the driving assembly. When the fish-like underwater robot is used, the driving assembly drives the integrated tension and swing component to swing to generate power for forward movement. A traditional fish-like tail swing structure is replaced with an integrated tension skeleton structure.

Abstract: A mooring system including a plurality of connected floats and weights being positively buoyant on a water surface and being negatively buoyant at a depth below the water surface. The mooring system also includes a trigger mechanism arranged to reduce the buoyancy of a portion of the connected floats and weights from a being positively buoyant to negatively buoyant to cause the portion of the connected floats and weights to sink below the water surface where the trigger mechanism changes the buoyance of the portion of the connected floats and weights by either adding a weight to one end or separating the end from a buoyant element.

Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel comprises an input device for inputting an operator command, a sensor which senses and signals an engine function variable or a vessel dynamic variable, and a first structural element and a second structural element. The first structural element and the second structural element each control speed or direction of motion of the marine vessel, and the first structural element and the second structural element each affect the marine vessel dynamic variable. There is a controller which receives the operator command and the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable. The controller moves the first structural element and the second structural element based on the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable, after receiving the single operator command.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

Abstract: A boat including one or more seats, which may be aft-facing. The seat includes a seat bottom, which may be movable between a first position and a second position. The second position is a position in which the seat bottom is pivoted upwardly relative to the position of the seat bottom in the first position to allow access to a hidden compartment. The seat may also include a leg rest. The leg rest may extend aft of the transom, and may extend in a direction that is at a downward angle relative to the seat bottom. The leg rest may also have a length such that a gap is present between the leg rest and a surface beneath the leg rest.

Abstract: A water vessel boarding ladder device and method of manufacture are described herein. The boarding ladder device may include one or more of a ladder portion, a handle portion, a coupling portion, and/or other components. The coupling portion may be configured to provide a variable rotational relationship between the handle portion and the ladder portion during simultaneous rotation of the handle portion and the ladder portion.

Abstract: A launchable communication device for divers includes a flag, a flag operating assembly, and a receptacle. The flag is coupled to the flag operating assembly and is positionable between an extended position and a collapsed position to facilitate an opening and closing of the flag in order to communicate with others in the vicinity.

Abstract: A boat, having a stern, includes one or more inclined seats. Each inclined seat includes a seat bottom that is inclined at a downward angle in a direction extending from aft to fore and a seat back. The inclined seat may be movable to allow access to a compartment associated with the inclined seat. The inclined seat may be an aft-facing seat. The inclined seat may also include a headrest positioned above an upper portion of the seatback.

Abstract: An outboard motor is provided with: an engine cover in which a first outside air inlet port, an exhaust port, and second outside air inlet ports are formed; and a lower housing that is disposed below the engine cover. The engine cover is provided with a front guide and a rear guide that guide outside air, introduced respectively from the first outside air inlet port and the second outside air inlet ports into the engine cover, downward in the gravity direction.

Abstract: A ship propulsion system provides a first power transmission device that transmits power from an internal combustion engine to a propeller, a second power transmission device that transmits power from an electric motor to a propeller and that is mounted to the hull so as to be able to turn up and down independently from the first power transmission device, an actuator for causing the second power transmission device to turn up and down, and a control device. The control device is configured so as to be able to select a first drive mode in which the internal combustion engine is driven and the electric motor is not driven, and a second drive mode in which the internal combustion engine is not driven and the electric motor is driven. When the first drive mode is selected, the actuator is operated so that the second power transmission device turns up.

Abstract: A propulsion system on a marine vessel includes at least one steerable propulsion device and at least one lateral thruster. A steering wheel is operable by a user to steer the at least one propulsion device. A user interface device is operable by a user to provide at least a lateral thrust command to command lateral movement and a rotational thrust command to command rotational movement of the vessel. A controller is configured to determine a difference between a steering position of the propulsion device and a centered steering position. A user interface display is controllable to indicate at least one of the steering position of the propulsion device and the difference between the steering position and the centered steering position. The controller is further configured to determine that the steering position is within a threshold range of the centered steering position prior to enabling a joystick thrust control mode.

Abstract: Embodiments include a retrofit pontoon system including a pontoon, the pontoon having a pontoon body defining a first cavity, the pontoon body having a first aperture; a retrofit assembly, the retrofit assembly including a selectively fillable container sized to pass through the first aperture; and a pump. The pump is operably coupled with the selectively fillable container such that operation of the pump selectively fills and drains water from the selectively fillable container, wherein filling the selectively fillable container lowers the profile of the pontoon in the water and emptying the selectively fillable container raises the profile of the pontoon in the water.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and methods for operating a marine motor are provided herein. An example motor system includes a motor, a battery, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a user input indicating a desired speed, determine a charge level of the battery, determine an optimized speed or propulsion of the marine motor based on the desired speed and the determined charge level of the battery, and transmit a signal to the motor to operate accordingly. The processor may generate a correction factor based on at least one of the determined charge level of the battery, a boat speed profile curve, and a boat travel distance curve; and determine the optimized speed or propulsion by applying the correction factor to the desired speed. Thus, an eco-mode can be provided to help maintain a high level of battery charge while still enabling desired use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interface for mounting a propulsion mechanism to a watercraft such as a fishing kayak, and to a watercraft comprising such an interface. The interface comprises a first portion including a first plate with a hole sized and shaped for receiving therethrough a portion of the propulsion mechanism, a second portion including a second plate and one channel extending from the second plate, the channel being in registry with the hole of the first portion for therein a portion of the propulsion mechanism. The interface also comprises fastening assemblies for removably fastening the second portion to the first portion of the interface, and a guiding assembly for maintaining the channel of the second portion in registry with the hole of the first portion.

Abstract: A fluid moving apparatus includes an electric motor having a rotor and a stator and a propeller. The rotor rotates relative to the stator on an axis to generate a rotational output. The rotational output is provided to the propeller to power the marine propulsion apparatus. The stator includes one or more coils configured to power rotation of the rotor. The one or more coils extend circumferentially around and can be coaxial on the axis. A portion of a housing of the motor extends into the aquatic environment to facilitate heat dissipation.

Abstract: A mechanical joint for transferring rotational motion between shafts at an angle and related assemblies. The assemblies can include both fixed and adjustable-angle joint housings for providing high torques in hard to reach areas. Other assemblies include improvements in inboard marine drives that correct the prop angle to generally align with the direction of travel of the boat and outboard marine drives with improved drive trains.

Abstract: An entertainment barge includes at least two pontoons, a first deck having a front, rear, right side and left side, is attached to both pontoons. A second deck is disposed above and substantially parallel to the first deck. At least two retractable spuds are attached to the deck and are adapted to be lowered into the water to secure the barge in a fixed position.

Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for Wake Enlargement System have been disclosed. By using water pick-ups that are mounted on a boat, controlled filling of ballast tanks is possible without the use of pumps.

Abstract: A tiller for an outboard motor has a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a throttle grip on the distal end of the tiller body, and a control switch located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip. A microcontroller is located inside the tiller body, remote from the control switch, and is in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine. The control switch is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller. In response to actuation of the control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller. In one example, the control switch is an idle speed control switch.

Abstract: A vessel control system for a marine vessel propelled by at least one propulsion device includes a wireless lanyard system including at least one fob worn by an individual on the marine vessel and a helm transceiver at a helm area of the marine vessel configured to receive radio signals from the at least one fob. A controller is configured to detect, based on communications between each of the at least one fob and the helm transceiver, that each of the at least one fob is present on the marine vessel. A missing fob is detected if at least one of the fobs is no longer detected at the helm transceiver, and then a man overboard event is generated. The vessel control system is configured to automatically activate one or more search assistance functions based on the man overboard event.