Abstract: A cart is provided for a watercraft including at least two apertures provided therein. the cart includes a transportation portion, and a carrying portion. The carrying portion includes at least two vertical shafts protruding from the transportation portion. The protruding end of each shaft is connected to, or received within, a watercraft engaging portion that tapers off in size as it extends further away from the transportation portion such that at least a section of each watercraft engaging portion deforms and compresses when received within one of the at least two apertures to create frictional engagement between the aperture and the section of the watercraft engaging portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first carrier device having a first upright. A first axle and a first wheel are joined proximate a first distal end of the first upright. A first support plate is joined to the first upright above the first wheel. A second carrier device has a second upright. A second axle and a second wheel are joined proximate a first distal end of the second upright. A second support plate is joined to the second upright above the second wheel. An adjustment bar has a first end, a second end and a plurality of adjustment positions extending inward from the second end. The first end is joined proximate a second distal end of the first upright. A one of the plurality of adjustment positions is joined to a second distal end of the second upright, whereby a distance between the first and the second upright is selected.

Abstract: A wheeled transport system for towing an at least one object comprises, in at least one embodiment, a wheel assembly. The wheel assembly comprises an axle, sized and configured for supporting a rear end of the object, and a pair of wheels rotatably engagable with opposing ends of the axle. A frame is integral with the axle and is sized and configured for slidably receiving therethrough the rear end of the object. An at least one retaining strap is configured for selectively engaging and maintaining the rear end of the object in position between the axle and the frame. A pair of storage axles is integral with the axle, with each being configured for selectively receiving one of the wheels in rotatable engagement therewith. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the wheel assembly is capable of being selectively arranged into one of a deployed state and a stored state.

Abstract: A cart is provided for a watercraft including at least two apertures provided therein. The cart includes a transportation portion, and a carrying portion. The carrying portion includes at least two vertical shafts protruding from the transportation portion. A watercraft engaging portion is formed around at least a portion of each vertical shaft. When received within one of the at least two apertures, at least a portion of the watercraft engaging portion compresses to create a frictional engagement between the watercraft and the cart.

Abstract: The sailboat transport dolly provides a simple means of moving boats even if they have a mounted sail. It requires no attachments or modifications to the boat but it requires that the boat have overhanging gunwales. The dimensions of the dolly are determined by the class of boats it is built to serve. The dolly is unique in that it easily loads the boat so long as it is sitting upright on the supporting surface. It does this by straddling the boat and leveraging it off the supporting surface by engaging the boat's overhanging gunwales. The wheels are positioned to be forward of the boat's center of balance when leveraged off the supporting surface causing the boats bow to rise and be contained by the front of the dolly. The dolly can also be folded for easy storage.

Abstract: A folding boat with at least two foldable horizontal frames each comprising at least two foldably connected sections a frame. Said sections comprise two longitudinal rails connected by a plurality of transverse members and at least one swivelly foldable guard rail with releasable locking means. Said longitudinal rails comprise internal and external longitudinal groves, where said internal longitudinal grooves hold a plurality of removable and stackable floats. Said floats can be equipped with at least two fins attached to the bottom of said floats for attachment of boat launching wheels. One of said horizontal transverse has two front guard rails equipped with a guiding channels supporting a slideable frame of climbing step, where said frame is slideably movable between an upper retracted position acting as a guide rail and said frame being moved to lower position provides convenient position of the climbing step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which will allow a single person to launch and secure a boat or watercraft to a pier without the user getting into the water and which allows the user to maintain control of the vessel or watercraft. Disclosed is a bracket mounted near the tongue of a boat trailer which has a tube for holding a telescoping pole which pole is removably, insertable into the tube so that when the boat on the trailer is backed into the water in preparation for launching the boat an attachment ring on the end of the boat lanyard is attached to the bow cleat of the boat so as to assist in maneuvering the boat off of the trailer. Thereafter, the pole is removed from the tube and the loop on the end of the pole is connected to a stern cleat on the rear of the boat so as to then allow the user to pull the boat toward the pier.

Abstract: A gauge gives a driver of a tow vehicle a visual cue that the trailer is at a proper depth within the water to recover a boat onto the trailer. The gauge has a tubular member that has a top with a red light bulb and a green light bulb thereon. A housing is attached to the tubular member and longitudinally adjusted along a length of the tubular member as needed. A switch, controlled by a float, is located within the housing, such that when there is no water in the housing, the float is at rest and causes the switch to connect the red light bulb to electricity. As water enters the housing, the float rises with the rising water level in the housing and causes the switch to disconnect the red light bulb from and connect the green light bulb to the electricity.

Abstract: A boat engagement and support device having a boat hull engagement assembly to engage the boat hull, a lever pivotally attached to the boat hull engagement assembly and at least one wheel associated with both the boat hull engagement assembly and the lever whereby rotation of the lever relative to the boat hull engagement assembly forces the at least one wheel to abut the ground surface and continued movement of the lever raises and lowers the boat hull engagement assembly.

Abstract: A safety trailer has semi-tractor hitches at both ends and a safety wall that is fixed to one side of the trailer. That side, however, can be changed to the right or left side of the road, depending on the end to which the truck attaches. A caboose can be attached at the end of the trailer opposite the tractor to provide additional lighting and impact protection. Optionally, the trailer can be equipped with overhead protection, lighting, ventilation, onboard hydraulics, compressors, generators and other equipment, as well as related fuel, water, storage and restroom facilities and other amenities.

Abstract: A combined boat and jet ski towing trailer includes a jet ski support ramp on the arm that connects a trailer body to the towing vehicle. The jet ski supporting ramp is inclined and oriented at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the trailer body to facilitate loading and unloading.

Abstract: A gauge gives a driver of a tow vehicle a visual cue that the trailer is at a proper depth within the water to recover a boat onto the trailer. The gauge has a tubular housing with an open bottom with a float connected to a plunger slidably disposed within the housing. As water enters, the float and its attached plunger rise. Either the plunger reaches a transparent section of the housing and aligns with a band to signify proper trailer depth or the plunger depresses either a first switch for proper depth or a second switch for a too deep condition. Depression of the first switch either illuminates a first light to indicate the proper depth condition or has a meter indicate the proper depth condition while depression of the second switch either illuminates a second light to indicate a too deep condition or has a meter so indicate.

Abstract: A bicycle caddie is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the bicycle caddie includes a portable enclosure having an enclosure opening, a hitch bar provided on the enclosure and a fold-out table provided on the enclosure.

Abstract: Important design features and methods of launching a trailerable sailboat are described. The trailerable sailboat is designed to allow transportation on overland highways and to provide a simplified method of raising the mast without the need for a crane.

Abstract: A lightweight equipment transport kit and system for transporting rigid items having a wheel assembly (20); a head piece (70) defining an enclosure for insertion of the front end of the equipment (50); a tail piece (10) defining an enclosure for insertion and support of the rear end of the equipment (50), and further having a mount or axle sleeve (12) for bearing the wheel assembly in a substantially transverse orientation to a direction of transportation, and wherein the wheel assembly (20) supports the tail piece (10); and a tensioner (26) capable of fastening to the head piece (70), fastening to the tail piece (10) or the wheel assembly (20) mounted on tail piece (10), and creating a tension between so as to seat the front end of the equipment (50) within head piece (70) and the rear end of the equipment within the tail piece (10). The equipment transport system is adaptable for manual towing, vehicular towing, and mounting onto an automobile roof rack.

Abstract: A kayak carrier with a pair of spaced horizontal supports having open-topped hull supports defining essentially continuous curved surfaces that permit the edge of a kayak to be inserted easily and to naturally rotate into a locking position. In the preferred form the kayak carrier has two spaced horizontal rack members with aligned hull supports, the rack members being adapted to be removably mounted in the side-rail sockets of a standard utility trailer.

Abstract: A personal watercraft including a hull and at least two pontoons repositionably attached to the hull with at least one pontoon attached proximate the starboard side and at least one pontoon attached proximate the port side. The pontoons are laterally and longitudinally repositionable as between a storage position in which the pontoons are generally longitudinally aligned relative to the hull and have a minimized lateral distance between the pontoons, and a flotation position in which the pontoons are shifted aft relative to the longitudinally aligned storage position and have a maximized lateral distance between the pontoons. Also, a personal watercraft having one or both of (i) a pair of laterally spaced hitch attachments secured to the hull proximate the bow of the hull, and/or (ii) a pair of laterally spaced hitch attachments secured to the hull proximate the stern of the hull 20.

Abstract: In a boat having a rear transom of a type (1) transported on land on attached wheels in depending relation from brackets on the transom and (2) launched to provide a floating condition in a lake and (3) removing the wheels from the floating boat preparatory to making accessible the transom brackets and, using the transom brackets, to apply to a sun shade to the boat.

Abstract: A wheel set for boats attached to the transom has a first or non-operative position extending upwardly so as not to interfere with boat operation and a second or operative position where the wheel set is submerged below the surface of the water and makes rollable contact with the beach or land area beneath the boat. Supporting the wheel set is a base or rail fixed on the transom having a movable strut with one end supporting a wheel and the other end of slidably engaging with a track in the rail so that the strut is moved and pivoted from the non-operative position into the operative position. An open slot and pin arrangement is employed for holding one end of the strut in the non-operative position and an elongated closed slot and pin mechanism is provided for pivotally connecting the strut to the base or rail for pivoting into the operative position with the wheel downwardly depending from the boat, while another open slot and pin arrangement maintains the wheel in the operative position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for transporting watercraft with pontoons, commonly referred to as“pontoon boats.” The apparatus broadly comprises an axle assembly and a hitch assembly. The axle assembly includes beam axle, a pair of wheels mounted for rotation about the beam axle, and a pair of pads or cradles spaced apart at a distance to receive the bottom portions of the pontoons. The hitch assembly is mounted relative to the lower surface of the deck, and includes a hitch bar extending from the front end of the deck which terminates in a cup-shaped receptacle to receive the ball hitch of the tow vehicle. To tow the boat, the cradles are preferably positioned under the craft to receive the bottom portions of the pontoons just rearward of the center of gravity to achieve an acceptable tongue weight on a level surface. The hitch assembly is preferably permanently mounted relative to the lower surface of the deck through welding, mechanical fasteners, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A transport device 10 for one end of a flat bottomed rowboat or a canoe with a keel. The device 10 includes a generally flat rectangular support member 20 having a generally flat top surface 22 provided with a central flat bottomed recess 23 dimensioned to receive the keel of a canoe. The top surface 22 of the support member 20 is provided with a resilient high friction coating 24 that will resist the lateral displacement of a canoe or rowboat on the support member 20. The device 10 further includes a wheel and axle assembly 31, 30 and a quick release securing unit 13. The support member is cantilevered relative to the wheel and axle assembly 31, 30 and the wheels 31 are positioned beneath the opposed sides 27, 28 of the support member.

Abstract: A portable cart, for use in camping, hunting and other outdoors activities carries canoes, small boats, game, injured parties or hauled cargo by hand. The portable cart can be converted to a canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, or to a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or to a cargo hauling gear cart, all of which can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back. The portable cart can be carried by hand or as a backpack over rough terrain. Its width can be varied to accommodate watercraft of varying widths. The cart has optional removable clamps for clamping a conventional transportable carrier, such as a stretcher or stokes-type rescue carrier bed, thereto. Another optional bicycle pull clamp includes an ant-tipping attachment resisting centrifugal force urging said cart to tip over during a directional turn of the cart-hauling bicycle.

Abstract: A portable cart, for use in camping, hunting and other outdoors activities carries canoes, small boats, game, injured parties or hauled cargo by hand. The portable cart can be converted to a canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, or to a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or to a cargo hauling gear cart, all of which can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back. The portable cart can be carried by hand or as a backpack over rough terrain. Its width can be varied to accommodate watercraft of varying widths. The cart has optional removable clamps for clamping a conventional transportable carrier, such as a stretcher or stokes-type rescue carrier bed, thereto. Another optional bicycle pull clamp includes an ant-tipping attachment resisting centrifugal force urging said cart to tip over during a directional turn of the cart-hauling bicycle.

Abstract: A trailer is provided for accommodating various sized watercraft thereon. The trailer includes a frame structure extending along the longitudinal axis and a wheel and axle assembly for supporting the frame structure above a supporting surface. First and second bunk elements are supported by the frame structure. The first bunk element is movable along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis to vary the distance between the bunk elements and is also movable along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame structure between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: A watercraft trailer support skid protection assembly includes a protective sleeve sized and shaped to fit the contoured free end of an existing watercraft support skid. The assembly includes a securing device to hold the sleeve in place on the proximal end of the support skid. The protective sleeve has a low coefficient of friction and cooperates with the main support portion of the support skid. The assembly ensures that a watercraft will be securely held in place during transit, while promoting ease of loading and unloading, when appropriate. In an alternate embodiment of the assembly, the protective sleeve is used as a capping member to protect the contact faces of support bunks associated with a watercraft lifting device.

Abstract: A boat carrier 1 having a transverse frame 2-2a with adjustable width for a range of boat widths, a gunwale clamp 10 at each end of the frame, a seat 11 in the middle of the frame, and a wheel 5 attached to each end of the frame by a strut 6-6a. The strut is pivotally attached to the frame by a pivot attachment 7 that is lockable vertically downward, vertically upward, or horizontally. A user can clamp the frame transversely between the gunwales of a boat at the longitudinal balance point of the boat. The wheels can be locked downward, and the boat can be rolled on land by a single person without lifting a significant weight, and can be launched into water. When afloat, a person in the boat can pivot the wheel struts to a horizontal position, placing the wheels beside the boat where they serve as bumpers and stabilizing outriggers. The wheels can optionally be locked upward for rolling the boat inverted on land. The wheel struts telescope to a desired wheel extension to set the boat carrying height.

Abstract: A cart for moving small watercraft, such as canoes or kayaks is provided. The cart supports one or two watercraft in a stacked configuration. The cart is constructed to be strong and durable, and provide an easy and simple way to load and move small watercraft. The cart is constructed from an arcuate metal tube having a pair of arms, one each extending from one end of the arcuate metal tube. The arms each support a wheel. The watercraft fits through the arcuate tube, and the bottom on the watercraft rests on the ends of the arcuate tube. The arcuate tube lies at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft with the middle of the arcuate tube resting on the top of the watercraft, forward of the part of the watercraft where the bottom of the watercraft rests on the ends of the arcuate tube. A second arcuate metal tube may be pivotally attached to the first arcuate tube. The two tubes are connected at their middle. When the tubes are coincident, one watercraft may be supported.

Abstract: A method of preparing a lightweight boat for use by using to advantage the overhang of the boat transom beyond the tailgate of the transporting van to provide a working clearance to attach wheel means thereto, and the floating depth beneath the launched boat to provide a working clearance to unattach the wheel means. While the wheel means are attached, the boat is transported like a wheel barrow a walking distance from a parking lot to a lake or the like.