Abstract: The present invention relates generally to underwater wings for providing lift to boats. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a pair of underwater wings that attach to the hulls of a pontoon. The purpose of the wings is to provide a designated amount of lift to reduce drag and improve performance of the watercraft. This is different from a traditional hydrofoil, which is designed to lift a boat completely out of the water. Ideally, the wings are connected to the deck of the pontoon boat via adjustable mounts that allow the wings to be raised or lowered in the water to adjust the amount of drag.

Abstract: A charge cord management arrangement includes a retractable charge retainer and a charge cord wrapped at least partially around a plunger of that retractable charge cord retainer when that plunger is in a deployed position. The retractable charge cord retainer includes: (a) a base, (b) the plunger carried on the base and displaceable between a home position and a deployed position, (c) a biasing element received and held in the base and adapted to bias the plunger toward the deployed position and (d) a guide feature. The guide feature includes a guide track carried on the base and a guide follower. A related method of managing a charge cord is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to underwater wings for providing lift to boats. More particularly, the invention comprises an underwater wing that attaches to the hull or hulls of a pontoon or tri-toon boat. The purpose of the wing is to provide a designated amount of lift to reduce drag and improve performance of the watercraft. This is different from a traditional hydrofoil, which is designed to lift a boat completely out of the water.

Abstract: Multifunctional displays for a marine vessel having a propulsion system can include a sequential indicator, a first portion, a second portion and a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion depicts changes in a characteristic of a first component of the propulsion system during a first operational mode of the propulsion system. The second portion depicts changes in a characteristic of a second component of the propulsion system during a second operational mode of the propulsion system. The transition portion depicts a change in operation of propulsion system between the first operational mode and the second operational mode. A marine vessel icon has first and second icons depicting changes in characteristics of the first and second components. The icon changes position when the operational mode of the marine vessel changes.

Abstract: An indicator device on a marine vessel is configured to display motion. A controller operates the indicator device according to at least a first mode wherein the indicator device displays motion and a second mode wherein the indicator device does not display motion. The controller operates the indicator device based upon an operational characteristic of the marine vessel to thereby inform a swimmer located proximate to the marine vessel of the operational characteristic.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the anchor or anchor chain, intended for facilities floating ahead of the anchor, such as ships, comprising a measurement device which determines by one or more sensors the prevailing state at one or more points of an anchor chain or anchor, between the anchor chain and a ship, or between the anchor and the ship, then generates an electrical signal representative of the strength to a transmitter which, upon reception of the signal transmitted by the measurement device, sends a corresponding signal. An alarm system receives the signal sent by the transmitter and triggers an alarm if the measured state exceeds a set value.

Abstract: A motion detector is physically attached to a boat's anchor. Upon abnormal motion or movement of the anchor, indicative of a dragging anchor, a pulse generator is initiated by the motion detector to actuate a transmitting transducer and generate an acoustic or sonar wave in the water. The acoustic wave is sensed by a receiving transducer on the boat, and a warning alarm is produced. In a preferred embodiment, the receiving transducer actuates an RF transmitter which generates a radio wave, and an RF receiver which is tuned to receive the radio wave actuates the alarm.

Abstract: The drift of a boat which lies at anchor is monitored by a piezoelectrical accelerometer which is fixed to the anchor and will be subjected to sharp accelerations in case the anchor is pulled over the ground. The signals emitted by the accelerometer are transmitted to the boat through a multiple strand conductor which is led to the boat parallel to the anchor chain. The transmitted signals are then compared with a preset threshold value. When this threshold value is exceeded, an alarm is triggered. In order to avoid fouling the anchor chain with the electrical cable the latter is wound on a drum, which always exerts a slight pull on the cable.