Abstract: A vessel rudder assembly including a rudder stock bearing, a rudder shaft and a rudder blade whereby the rudder stock bearing is in the form of a cantilever beam including an internal bore through which the rudder shaft extends the rudder blade is connected to the free end of the rudder shaft, and the rudder stock bearing includes at least one rudder bearing. This rudder bearing may be mounted within the rudder stock bearing internal bore.

Abstract: A rudder post tube assembly for sailing craft having an inverted frusto-conical shell rotatably fitting in an inverted frusto-conical casing which opens out of the bottom of the craft. A rudder post tube is secured to the wall of the shell for rotatably supporting a rudder post of a rudder assembly so that the rudder post can be canted to port or starboard of the vertical axis of the craft by rotatably adjusting the position of the shell within the casing.

Abstract: A transom mounted retractible rudder for sailboats or other small vessels. A rudder blade is pivotally mounted on a lower portion of a rudder stock. By means of a handle located adjacent the stern of the boat and connected through a linkage to the rudder blade, a crew member can raise and lower the rudder blade between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. The handle and a dial on the rudder stock cooperate to provide an indication of the attitude and depth of the rudder blade at any given time.

Abstract: The jet power unit of a water craft is provided with a steering plate which is deflectable upwardly but which is continuously oriented in the direction of but spaced below the flow of water from the jet. The jet power unit preferably includes movable steering deflectors at its exhaust port which steer the craft by deflecting the jet flow to one side or the other, the steering plate including linkage means for pivoting the plate relative to the craft in response to movement of the jet deflectors to maintain the plane of the steering plate parallel to the direction of jet flow.

Abstract: A marine craft steering assembly comprises a rudder stock mountable on a craft for steering movements, and a rudder blade mounted on the stock to partake of steering movements therewith and to swing relatively to the stock to a raised position if the blade encounters an obstruction. The stock has an internal space extending fore-and-aft with an opening through one edge, as for example, the aft edge, and an inner wall facing the opening and being curved throughout at least a part of its extent. A pivot boss on the stock traverses the stock internal space, and the rudder blade has a curved internal surface pivotally mounted on the boss. The blade curved internal surface has a gap which may be passed over the boss to enable the blade internal curved surface to be positioned on the boss when the blade is inserted through the opening in the stock edge into the stock internal space.

Abstract: An inboard rudder capable of being removed and mounted through a hollow trunk within the hull of the boat and so arranged that the rudder post is pivotally mounted and held in place against one side of the trunk by means of a filler member which is inserted into the trunk after the rudder has been lowered into position.

Abstract: A marine craft steering assembly comprises a rudder stock mountable on a craft for steering movements; a rudder blade mounted on the stock to partake of steering movements therewith and to swing relatively to the stock to a raised position if the blade encounters an obstruction. The blade is biased to its raised position, and a manually operable device, which may be a tiller, is cooperable with the blade for resisting swinging of the blade lower portion to the raised position and for swinging the blade from its raised position to its lowered position. The stock is releasably pivotally mountable on a craft hull and is locked in mounted position thereon by the aforesaid manually operable device movably mounted on the stock.

Abstract: A steering system that is easily attached to and removed from a canoe wherein the system includes a first frame section having adjustable brace members and a sling assembly for gripping the end edge of the canoe. A second frame section, pivotally secured to the first frame section, includes a pair of rudders and associated steering mechanism. A motor mount may also be provided on the second frame section for supporting an outboard motor such that when an obstacle is encountered beneath the surface of the water, the entire second frame section, including rudders, steering mechanism and motor, pivots from a downward operative position to an upward inoperative position, thereby bypassing the obstacle and preventing damage to the system.

Abstract: A distress buoy releasable from a submarine comprising two hemispherical portions sealably joined to form a hollow spherical body mounting a radio transmitter with deployable antenna, a radar responder with antenna, a beacon light, a tape recorder containing information recorded over a time period before release, and electrical power cells. A ring of float members is secured to and surrounds the spherical body.