Abstract: A wet suit style personal flotation device is disclosed which comprises a wet suit adapted for fitting about at least a portion of a wearer and substantially conforming to at least the wearer's torso and a buoyant insert interposed between an outer layer and an inner layer of a vest portion of the wet suit. The buoyant insert extends in front of and behind the wearer's body. The wet suit style personal flotation device is constructed such that the wearer is supported in a slightly back from vertical position in water and such that the wearer can don the suit in less than about 60 seconds.

Abstract: A water ski tow handle assembly comprising a handle and a pair of end caps is disclosed. The handle defines first and second handle rope passageways extending transversely through each end of the handle at an angle to each other. The first handle rope passageway is in a spaced apart relationship to the second handle rope passageway and the end of the handle. The second handle rope passageway is in a spaced apart relationship to the first handle rope passageway and adjacent the end of the handle. The end caps matingly receiving an end of the handle. Each end cap has a finger protector sleeve and a cap portion. The cap portion includes a collar and a plug which define a recess for matingly receiving the end of the handle. The finger protector sleeve and the cap portion define a first end cap rope passageway extending longitudinally through the finger protector sleeve and the cap portion. The end cap defines a second end cap rope passageway extending transversely through the cap portion.

Abstract: A safety release for water skiing tow lines comprising a U-shaped body having a rearwardly facing slot therein, a mounting bracket for securing the device to a ski pylon, a bolt arm pivotally secured to the body which extends across the slot when the arm is in a vertical position so as to engage the terminal loop of the ski rope. The loop retaining bolt arm is pivotally mounted on the body and is pivotable rearwardly from a first position substantially normal to the plane of the slot opening to a second position substantially free of the slot opening. A manually operable extension is affixed to the bolt arm to move the arm in a forward direction from the second position to the first position. A lever is pivotally mounted on the body to engage the bolt arm to form a bar-like assembly which extends transversely of said opening.

Abstract: A safety release for water skiing tow lines comprising a U-shaped body having a rearwardly facing slot therein, a mounting bracket for securing the device to a ski pylon, a release arm pivotally secured to the body and including a bolt which extends across the slot when the arm is in a vertical position so as to engage the terminal loop of the ski rope. When the arm is pulled forwardly by means of a trip line operated from within the boat, the bolt is retracted out of the slot thereby releasing the tow line. Adjustable spring biased detents are provided for locking the release handle in the open and closed positions.