Abstract: Techniques for thruster system control for a pontoon boat or other watercraft. A thruster system may comprise a plurality of thrusters used to control movement of the pontoon boat in addition to an outboard prime mover. The thrusters may be fixed and/or steerable thrusters. In examples, the thrusters may be retracted based on identifying a condition in which the thrusters may be damaged. The thrusters may be deployed based on identifying a condition in which the thrusters may be used to recharge an associated energy source. User input to control the thrusters may be adapted to account for external forces acting on the pontoon boat. A user interface is provided with which to control the thruster system, via which an operator manipulates a movement intent line to control the thruster system. The user interface may further comprise obstacle indicators, thereby enabling the operator to maneuver the pontoon boat accordingly.

Abstract: A cover for watercraft, such as pontoon boats, facilitates easy deployment and removal, as well as compact storage. The cover may be collapsed and deployed in a predetermined manner. The cover may include collapsible poles integrated with the cover fabric, which can be extended and retracted as the cover is deployed and collapsed. An arrangement of zippers and tensioners may be used to facilitate deployment securement and removal of the cover, as well as to facilitate access to at least a portion of the covered portion of watercraft while the cover is deployed.

Abstract: Cover designs for watercraft, such as pontoon boats, facilitate easy deployment and removal, as well as compact and convenient storage. The cover may be collapsed and deployed in a predetermined manner with a minimized chance of becoming twisted, bunched or otherwise disorganized. The cover may be reducible to sections which can be individually collapsed and deployed. The cover may include collapsible poles which can be extended and retracted as the cover is deployed and collapsed. The cover may be stored in a dedicated storage container permanently fixed to the watercraft, such that the cover can be deployed from, and collapsed into, the storage container.

Abstract: A protector for protecting a wall or other flat building surface from impacts caused by people and equipment. The protector is made from paper and comprises a honeycomb layer sandwiched between a wall-facing, lightweight paper layer and an outer-facing, heavyweight paperboard layer. The three-layer construction with a heavyweight paperboard outer layer is capable of distributing a point load across the entire surface area of the protector. The protector can be affixed to and removed from a wall without damaging or marking the wall.