Abstract: The sailboat transport dolly provides a simple means of moving boats even if they have a mounted sail. It requires no attachments or modifications to the boat but it requires that the boat have overhanging gunwales. The dimensions of the dolly are determined by the class of boats it is built to serve. The dolly is unique in that it easily loads the boat so long as it is sitting upright on the supporting surface. It does this by straddling the boat and leveraging it off the supporting surface by engaging the boat's overhanging gunwales. The wheels are positioned to be forward of the boat's center of balance when leveraged off the supporting surface causing the boats bow to rise and be contained by the front of the dolly. The dolly can also be folded for easy storage.

Abstract: A mark for sailboat racing having three inflatable elongated tubes joined closely at one common end so that when inflated, a mutual repelling force is developed at the common end causing the outboard ends of the elongated tubes to move away from each other. Lines join the outboard ends of the tubes so that their movement is limited to forming a tetrahedron. The outboard ends of the elongated tubes can be pushed together and constrained for transportation and storage.

Abstract: A self inflating fender for marine use having a flexible, air tight cover that surrounds and closely conforms to the external shape of an uncompressed open cell foam core. An air valve allows the fender to retain either an uncompressed state to act as a fender or a compressed state for easy storage. The fender self inflates from the compressed state when the air valve is opened and the open cell foam core is allowed to expand back to its original shape. End flaps integral with the cover have grommetted holes for attaching the fender. An alternative is surrounding the open cell foam core with a bladder which contains an air valve. The bladder is then surrounded by a fending cover that closely conforms to the open cell foam core uncompressed shape. The fending cover has stitched ends incorporating loops for attachment and an access hole for the air valve.

Abstract: A “U” shaped bail attached to a sailboat boom has a roller placed between it and the shackle attaching the sheet to the bail. This allows a smooth transmittal of the sheet load to the boom as the angle and intensity of the sheeting load changes.

Abstract: A boom support for supporting a sailboat boom on all sailing angles. The boom support, which is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the mast below the boom, includes two resiliently flexible rods extending from the mast attachment upwardly and outwardly to the boom. A flexible strip of webbing between the two rods counteracts the boom weight and is held in place by a line attached to the gooseneck. The boom is free to lift clear of the boom support.

Abstract: An air flow indicator for a sailboat sail has a lever passing through a small hole in the surface of the sail. Flexible tails are affixed to opposite ends of the lever on opposite sides of the sail. The lever is so configured as to remain centered with respect to the sail. Unequal air flow on opposite sides of the sail cause unequal forces on the flexible tails causing the lever to pivot with respect to the sail. The pivoting of the lever with respect to the sail is observable while viewing only one side of the sail which allows the viewer to determine the air flow conditions on both sides of a sailboat sail while viewing only one side.

Abstract: A vang assembly is provided for manipulating a sailboat boom. The vang assembly includes a mechanical vang in the form of a resiliently flexible elongate column provided with an adjustment means in the form of a soft vang for arcuately flexing the mechanical vang. Opposite ends of the mechanical vang are attached below the boom to a lower portion of the mast and to the boom at a location spaced outwardly and upwardly from the lower portion of the mast. The adjustment means is attached to opposite ends of the mechanical vang and is movable between a contracted position and an extended position. When the adjustment means is moved to a contracted position, the mechanical vang is bowed arcuately upwardly and the boom is urged in a downward direction. When the adjustment means is moved to extended position, the arcuately bowed mechanical vang straightens and pushes the boom upwardly.

Abstract: A mast for a sailboat includes a plurality of spaced parallel bars arranged as a polygon in cross-section wherein the bars are of a size to permit air flow therebetween and being oriented such that one of the bars is disposed nearer the aft of the boat than the remaining bars. Bracing members are secured between the bars and means are provided for securing a luff edge of a sail to the one bar to thereby attach the sail to the sailboat.