Abstract: A trolling plate having first and second plate members joined in hinged fashion with one of the trolling plates moveable to a trailed inclined position in the presence of boat propulsion system backwash associated with speeds in excess of trolling speeds. Spring components reposition the trailing inclined plate member upon resumption of reduced boat speed and reduced backwash forces. Trailing of the plate member during high backwash force avoids trolling plate damage and, in some trolling plate assemblies avoids undesired unlatching of the trolling plate from an operative vertical position.

Abstract: A trolling plate assembly is designed for mounting on a cavitation plate on an outboard motor so that a plate member can be suspended behind a motorized propeller to limit velocity of the boat. The trolling plate includes a base, and a plate member suspended from the base via lateral support bars. A release mechanism allows the plate to rotate to a non-trolling position when water pressure against the front face of the plate member exceeds a predetermined threshold. The release mechanism utilizes a ramp and roller structure. The ramp forms an angle relative to the plate member. The angle can be adjusted so that different amounts of force are required to cause rotation of the plate member past a trip-point toward the non-trolling position.

Abstract: A trolling plate assembly for mounting on the motor of a small boat. The trolling plate assembly has a mounting bracket comprised of a flat plate with flanges extending upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the longitudinal edges of the plate. A fixed axle extends between the flanges. A movable locking rod extends between the flanges forward of the axle and parallel thereto. An outer, frame plate has cam ears located at one end thereof. The cam ears are pivotally attached to the axle. A trigger plate is positioned inwardly of the frame plate and has cam ears pivotally attached to the axle. The locking rod is urged by spring means toward the axle and into compressive contact with the outer surfaces of the cam ears of the frame and trigger plates. In a non-trolling position, the locking rod is seated in non-trolling recesses located on the outer surface of the cam ears of the frame plate to thereby lock the frame plate in a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: In trolling assembly for slowing the speed of a boat through the water during trolling operations including a trolling plate which can be positioned in the water behind the boat during trolling operations, the improvement comprising a tailpiece substantially traversing the trolling plate in a vertical direction and extending rearwardly therefrom directionally controlling the boat when the assembly is positioned in the water behind the boat. Preferably, the trolling plate is pivotal about a horizontal axis so that it can be raised and lowered from and into the water, and the tailpiece traverses a central opening in the trolling plate so that the tailpiece can divert water flowing through the opening when the boat is turned in either direction.

Abstract: A trolling plate assembly includes a plate structure pivotally carried on a supporting bracket on a propulsion unit. The plate structure is spring biased toward a downward or deployed position. Ears on the plate structure provide tracks on which followers are entrained with the followers seating in recesses at the end of each track to retain the plate structure horizontal. The rollers are biased into track and into recess engagement. A control permits the user to disengage the rollers from the recesses to allow downward deployment of the plate structure. A modified trolling plate includes a pair of adjustably biased rollers each for rolling contact with a trolling plate ear for seating in multiple recesses therein. Each recess is associated with a different plate position.

Abstract: A hydrofoil for attachment to an outdrive or outboard motor supports a trolling plate projecting rearwardly from the hydrofoil when in a raised position. The trolling plate includes a pair of arms having a lockable member therebetween slidably engageable with a latch pivotally mounted on the hydrofoil. Downward trolling plate deployment may occur upon elevation of the latch by an operator control which permits the lockable member to travel lengthwise of an elongate opening in the latch and into one of multiple catches in communication with the elongate opening. A first pair of torsion springs urge the trolling plate to a deployed position. A second set of torsion springs urge the latch toward a position securing the lockable member against movement. Multiple trolling plate positions allow maneuvering of a boat with a deployed trolling plate.

Abstract: A planing and trolling device for use with a boat includes a mounting frame adapted to be attached to the boat. A deflector plate is pivotally mounted to the mounting frame and is pivotal downwardly to a deflecting position facing the rear of the boat propeller. A spring engages the deflector plate and yieldably permits movement of the deflector plate to a horizontal position as the rotational velocity of the propeller increases.

Abstract: The invention relates to attachments to the anticavitation plate of a boat motor for making and controlling small variations in boat speed below the normal motor idling speed to facilitate trolling for fish. The trolling speed control includes an incrementally adjustable unitary plate mounted for movement between a position fully across the normal paths of the propeller wash, thereby to slow the speed of the boat and to a fully retracted position out of the path of the propeller wash. This invention relates to motorboat low speed control devices.

Abstract: A system for trimming, steering and braking a watercraft includes a retractable plate or flap disposed on each lateral side of the hull of the watercraft. Each flap is extendible into the water, rearwardly in a continuously adjustable manner, and independently of the extension of the other flap. When the flap is fully extended then its angular position relative to the hull is also continuously adjustable independently of the angular positioning of the other flap. The flaps in their fully declined position act as powerful brakes for the watercraft. Differential extension of the flaps or differential adjustment of their relative angular positions on the two sides of the watercraft results in trimming and steering of the watercraft.

Abstract: A combined fixed hydrofoil and trolling plate where the trolling plate is moveable releasably to a horizontal position to enhance the hydrofoil effect of the fixed hydrofoil.

Abstract: A trolling speed reduction apparatus for slowing the trolling speed of boats having an inboard engine and a steerable rudder mounted under the stern of the boat aft of a propeller driven by the inboard engine. The rudder has first and second opposed major sides and has first and second deflector plates carried on opposite sides of the rudder. The deflector plates are moveable between a first, closed position wherein the first and second deflector plates reside closely adjacent to an substantially along the respective first and second major sides of the rudder and are substantially inoperative and a second, open position wherein the first and second deflector plates extend outwardly away from the opposed sides of the rudder into the wash from the propeller and are operative to create speed reducing drag to slow the forward movement of the boat.

Abstract: A hydrofoil adapted for attachment to a boat propulsion unit. The hydrofoil defines a recessed area on its underside in which a trolling plate may be positioned. A pivot shaft couples the plate to the hydrofoil permitting upright deployment of the plate for slowing of the watercraft. A locking bar on the hydrofoil serves to engage stops on the plate to lock same in retracted and deployed positions. A control permits remote operation of the locking bar.

Abstract: An outboard motor signal made up of a plate-like member bent at right angles at one end as a support and bent at 30 degrees at the other end, whereby the other end is disposed substantially vertical when the outboard motor is in position for transportation, thereby improving the visibility of the signal. A U-shaped spring is provided to hold the plate-like member in place on the motor and reflective tape is disposed on the outside of the plate-like member.

Abstract: A marine drive (2) is provided with an anti-ventilation plate (22) having a forward horizontal portion (24) and an aft portion (26) extending downwardly at an angle (28) to horizontal and noncoplanar with the forward portion (24). An adjustable anti-ventilation plate (30, 58) is also provided. The preferred form of the adjustable anti-ventilation plate is particularly simple and readily added to existing structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to spring biased trolling flaps used in conjunction with a motorized fishing boat for limiting the speed of the boat while trolling and coupled to the steering mechanism of the boat to aid in steering the boat when the boat is operating at a slow speed.

Abstract: A trolling attachment for motor boats comprises pivotal trolling flaps for securement to the transom of a boat so that the flaps may be lowered into and raised from the water as required. The flap are carried on a rectangular box-section tube with leaf springs disposed against the tube to provide resilient frictional resistance to movement of the flaps and positive location and retention of the flaps in the raised and lowered positions by engagement of the springs against adjacent surfaces of the tube respectively.

Abstract: Speed controlling apparatus particularly is disclosed to be mounted with respect to a boat motor in a position confronting the propeller wash of the boat's motor, whereby the thrust imparted to the water by the motor's propeller is significantly deflected or attenuated, thus reducing boat speed. The contemplated speed controlling apparatus includes a mounting plate adapted to be mounted upon the motor housing, and a deflection or trolling plate coupled to said mounting plate to be disposable between a first position confronting the propeller wash, and a second position disposed remotely from the path of the propeller wash. In a first aspect of this invention, the deflection plate is variably disposed with respect to the path of the propeller wash and in particular, may be disposed at variable depths within the water.

Abstract: A trolling attachment for an outboard engine includes a strap element for securement to the upper section of an engine housing and a plate member having an axial slot extending inwardly from one end for securement to the lower section of an engine housing. A handle rod is extendable slidably through apertures in a flange element projecting perpendicularly from the strap element and in the plate member. A trolling flap is hingedly secured to the lower surface of the plate member and pivotably mounts the lower extremity of the handle rod. A pin is carried by the flange element that is cooperable with the handle rod for releasably locking the handle rod in a selected vertical position. A lower region of the handle rod is rearwardly offset and given a notch which is cooperable with the plate member for releasably locking the trolling flap in its vertical position.

Abstract: Relates to attachments to a motor boat for reducing the speed of the boat below the idling speed sufficient to permit trolling for fish. The speed controlling device includes a plate member mounted for movement from a vertical position immediately aft of the propeller and across the path of the propeller wash, thereby to slow the speed of the boat, to a second position away from the propeller and out of the path of the propeller wash. Hydraulic mechanism including a piston-cylinder combination unit is connected to a fixed support, such as the propulsion unit of the boat, and to the plate member for moving the latter between the aforesaid two positions of movement. Ports are provided in the cylinder for admitting fluid under pressure to either side of the piston to impart movement of the piston in either direction in the cylinder and to impart corresponding movement to the plate member.

Abstract: A trolling brake for a motor powered boat to enable the boat to move at varying slow speeds while the motor is running at idle without stalling the motor. The trolling brake is formed of a semicircular shield having a pair of forward ends pivotably mounted on the transom of the boat at or near the waterline and an adjustable support pivotably mounted at a rear portion of the shield and to the transom of the boat for adjusting the position of the shield in the water. The bottom edge of the shield slopes downwardly and rearwardly from the ends to a rear central portion and the shield has a pair of holes equidistant from the centerline of shield rear central portion to permit the passage of a controlled amount of water through the shield to facilitate steering of the boat with the shield in operative position. The center of curvature of the shield is substantially at the pivot point of the out-drive portion of an inboard-outboard motor and at the center of the craft when the boat has an inboard motor or motors.

Abstract: A device mountable to the anticavitation plate of a propeller drive unit for a watercraft. The device includes a mounting member and a pivotable plate member mounted thereto. The mounting and plate members are both located below the water line when in operation, with the plate movable between a first position intersecting the backwash from the propeller driving unit and a second position wherein the plate is held parallel to the anticavitation plate and clear of the backwash. A locking assembly interconnects the plate and mounting member for locking the plate in either position. A control cable is attached to the locking assembly and extends therefrom into the watercraft.