Abstract: This invention provides improvements in the efficiency of a sailing vessel through the use of flaps, hydrofoils, or members on the keel of a sailing vessel. One or more are positioned at the top, or root of the keel of the vessel, which primarily generate a force in the windward direction to provide a counter-leeward drift force. One or more are located at the bottom, or tip of the keel of the vessel, which primarily generate a force in the leeward direction to provide a counter-heeling moment. Among other benefits, operation of these flaps, hydrofoils, or members during sailing increases the vessel's efficiency, in particular its velocity made good. Further, since they are mounted on one appendage, sailing vessels of a rudder and keel design can be equipped with counter leeward-drift and counter-heeling attributes without the need for additional appendages.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for a waterborne vessel is disclosed, the stabilizing apparatus comprising a stabilizer unit, said stabilizer unit comprising: an elongate main body suitable for attachment to said a waterborne vessel; a stabilizing fin member rotatably coupled to said elongate main body about a first axis of rotation; and a drive apparatus attached to said main body and operatively coupled to said stabilizing fin member.

Abstract: An adjustable skeg has a body formed by sidewalls including a closed bottom or base. The sidewalls converge to form a leading edge and a trailing end. The top is generally open and the top and sidewalls define a cavity for receiving a skeg or stub. The skeg may also be of unitary construction with the lower drive unit/gear case of a boat motor. The top and bottom portions of the trailing end project rearwardly to form extensions beyond a central portion of the trailing end. A torque vane is pivotally mounted between the top and bottom extensions. The vane is pivotable to subtend a preselected angle with a respective sidewall for eliminating steering torque. A plurality of receivers is positioned on either the top or bottom extension for locking the vane in place following adjustment. The receivers are identified by respective indicia for calibrating adjustment of the torque vane.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of illuminating, insect-catching devices, in particular to insect-catching devices comprising an adhesive surface. In particular, the illuminating portion is electrically powered, in one form by standard household power and in another form self-contained and powered by at least one battery.

Abstract: A windsurfing catamaran with a self-stabilizing wing. The wing is moved to the correct position by counter balancing water pressure from a rotating central keel connected to a central mast. The keel rotates in the opposite direction of the wing when the wing is moved off center by wind. The keel rotates such that a greater surface area is presented to water flow striking the keel. Water pressure on the keel offsets wind pressure on the sails and returns the keel and mast back to an upright position. This increases stability, lift, driving force, and speed. A central catamaran platform provides hinged struts and shock absorbers between the rear end of the central platform and planing hulls to reduce impact damage. The hinged struts and shock absorbers reduce water drag and the braking effect of repeated hull impacts with water resulting in a further increase in speed.

Abstract: A pivotal fin system, for use with an aquafoil, such as surfboards, body boards, wave skis, sail boards, wake boards and the like, comprising a pot (3) and a fin (2), having a tab (18) extending from the base (17) of the fin (2). The pot (3) has a central slot (11) and is mounted in the board (23) with the opening of the central slot (11) flush with the board (23). The slot (11) has a releasable locking means (6 & 7) therein, and the tab (18) has a connection means (21 & 22), which is releasably engaged by locking means (6 & 7). Preferably the releasable locking means (6 & 7) is a substantially c-shaped clamp, and the connection means (21 & 22) has a recess or recesses (22) behind a bulbous extension (21), which is engaged in the c-shaped clamp, with arms (5) of the c-shaped clamp engaging in the recess or recesses (22).

Abstract: A fin-type sailboat keel with a ballast bulb and a single winglet projecting from the after portion of the bulb is disclosed. The after portion of the bulb, to which the winglet is affixed, rotates, allowing the winglet to be canted about the centerline of the bulb 360 degrees. The winglet can have an adjustable angle of attack or a flap at its trailing edge, allowing various effects to be achieved. Mechanisms for the control of these moving parts are described. A fin stabilizer of similar geometry is also claimed.

Abstract: This invention provides a keel device for moving and controlling the keels of sailing yachts, in which each of the keels, which preferably are positioned one behind the other, can be swung out to either side by max. 90°. It is the object of the invention to provide the motion and control devices at the lowest point, so that their weight does not have to be balanced by additional ballast. Further, the device will not require installations inside the boat. The foregoing object is achieved in that the keel bomb includes right and left elements of motion arranged in pairs opposite each other, which are driven by a drive unit, the lift of which is transferred directly or via lifting systems to the power transmission devices located inside the keel shaft and are movable in the longitudinal direction. Under the hull of the boat are provided left and right joint systems for converting the longitudinal motion into a swiveling motion of the keel, which is directed either towards the right or left.

Abstract: A watercraft hull having a lower surface for normal contact with a body of water includes a fin having an inner end secured to the lower surface for extending into a body of water, a hinge intermediate the inner and outer ends for enabling an outer portion of the fin to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the watercraft for enabling increased controllability and performance of the watercraft.

Abstract: A sailing yacht having a hull and a sectional mast holding a sail, is equipped with a canard rudder and two rolling keels. Each rolling keel has a ballast container. A three point wing system is formed by wings carried by the canard rudder and by the two rolling keels for producing buoyancy, for steering, and for stabilizing. Thus, the three point wing system has a fore wing (9) forming an end wing of the canard rudder and two aft wings (11, 11') forming end wings of the rolling keels (10, 10'). The rolling keels (10, 10') are tiltable about rotational axes extending above the water line approximately in parallel to the hull axis, whereby the rolling keels (10, 10') are normally above the water line and only the long end (14, 14') of the wing (11, 11') dips into the water, so that the end disk wing (15) functions as a lift producing surface. The ballast is shiftable between two ballast containers 17, 17'.

Abstract: A wind-propelled craft having at least two elongated, low-profiled, flat-bottomed floats. The floats are parallelly and distally connected by a framework adapted to support the wind propulsion structure. The framework and floats are connected by fore and aft articulated joints which allow for arcuate travel of the framework and propulsion means relative to trim while maintaining level positioning of the flat-bottomed floats in relation to the medium being traversed. The floats, therefore, do not heel into the water. Resistance to the craft's speed and manueverability is thus diminished because the craft planes upon the water rather than heeling into it as is the case with conventional hulls and float assemblies.

Abstract: A sailboat pivotally carries a pair of weighted complementary shaped keels for independent rotation about a common longitudinally directed medial hinge axis for influencing the roll, moment of inertia and draft of the boat. The keels are independently supported at variable angles with respect to the vertical by lines directed upward along opposite sides of the boat. The upper ends of the lines are attached to a winch mechanism within the boat which includes one rotatable drum for varying the angle between the keels while maintaining the orientation of the angle bisector substantially constant and another rotatable drum for varying the orientation of the angle bisector while maintaining the angle between the keels substantially constant. A bolt carried slideably by the keels selectively locks the keels together for rotation as a unit. The bolt is remotely operated from within the boat via a controlling cable.