Abstract: An element for use in a watercraft is provided comprising a first rotatable support member mounted on the element such that the position of the first rotatable support member relative to the element can be varied by a user. A floating dock comprising at least one element is also provided.

Abstract: A shipping container for a personal watercraft, in which a first and second pair of roller guides attach to a pallet for removably receiving a pair of trusses that support a personal watercraft thereon, the trusses movable between a first position for loading or unloading the personal watercraft and a second position for storing and transporting of the personal watercraft at an oblique angle. A method of containing a personal watercraft in a shipping container is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a base module for a starting apparatus of sport-purpose flatwater boat competitions, comprising a longitudinal holder arranged crosswise to the direction of motion of the boats, a level adjustment unit, a dynamic stabilizer, and a remote controlled start permitting unit having a mechanical drive unit. According to the invention, the longitudinal holder (2) is made of one or more rigid, hollow pipe or profiled bar.

Abstract: A floatable boat ramp is disclosed including a plurality of hollow planks arranged parallel to one another such that the upper surfaces thereof define a drivable surface. A plurality of flexible channels couple cavities defined by adjacent planks of the plurality of hollow planks to one another a first end plank defines one or more openings to allow inlet and outlet of air and water in order to cause the boat ramp to sink or float. The interior cavity of the planks may be divided into right and left hand portions. Left and right hand channels coupled the right and left hand portions, respectively, of adjacent planks to one another. A second end plank includes a continuous cavity and allows fluid communication between left and right hand portions of the other planks. The planks may be coupled together by cables extending through sleeves rotatably mounted to the ends thereof.

Abstract: A step that may be attached to a boat lift rail. The boat lift rail may be in between the dock and the boat. Therefore, a user may board the boat from the dock using the step. Further, the step may raise and lower with the lift with the top of the step staying above the surface of the water.

Abstract: A universal launch and recovery system that may be used to launch or recover/receive water vessels. The launch and recovery system including a deployable ramp having a shock mitigating arrangement, including bumpers, fenders and a bow stopping guard arranged to accommodate vessels of different geometries.

Abstract: One of more safety catches attachable to water vessels for preventing rollback during launch and recovery operations. Each safety catch includes a pivotally attached catch arm for mating with a notched groove in an inclined surface to prevent the rollback.

Abstract: A boat-launching device can include a shock cord and a spring-loaded reel. The shock cord can have a proximal end adapted to be secured to a dock. The spring-loaded reel can include a reel casing, a spool, and a reel spring. The reel casing can define a reel opening. The shock cord can be wound on the spool and have a distal end attached to the spool and the proximal end extending out of the reel opening. A fastener can be attached to the reel casing and adapted to be secured to a boat.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for controlling a variable speed boat lift motor. The systems, apparatuses, and methods include a user interface for connection to a variable speed boat lift drive. The user interface transmits a signal to a variable speed boat lift drive that causes the variable speed boat lift drive to rise at a first speed set by a user through the user interface and lower at a second speed set by a user through the user interface.

Abstract: A lightweight, knock-down portable watercraft lift or mooring device for small watercraft includes a modular freestanding frame having a pair of spaced supporting foot members, each foot member carrying a pair of spaced support members connected at one end to the foot member, a pair of rails carried by and connected to a second end of the support members. Both the spacing of between the support members and the length of the support members are adjustable allowing the distance between and height of the rails to vary to accommodate watercraft of different widths, water of different depths and create varying lift angles.

Abstract: A lightweight, knock-down portable watercraft lift or mooring device for small watercraft is disclosed that includes a modular freestanding frame having a pair of spaced supporting foot members, each foot member carrying a pair of spaced support members connected at one end to the foot member, a pair of rails carried by and connected to a second end of the support members. Both the spacing of between the support members and the length of the support members are adjustable allowing the distance between and height of the rails to vary to accommodate watercraft of different widths, water of different depths and create varying lift angles.

Abstract: One of more safety catches attachable to water vessels for preventing rollback during launch and recovery operations. Each safety catch includes a pivotally attached catch arm for mating with a notched groove in an inclined surface to prevent the rollback.

Abstract: Launch and recovery apparatus (220) for launching a boat (230) into water from a supporting structure (210) such as a ship comprises a cradle (211) shaped to receive and support a boat and having a cradle axis, the cradle being moveable relative to the supporting structure between a first stowed position to a second ramp position at which the boat is typically in the water, and wherein the attitude of the axis of the cradle with respect to the water is steeper that when the boat is in the stowed positions. A movement mechanism is configured to move the cradle between the first stowed position and the second ramp position, typically having a linkage mechanism guiding the movement of the cradle into the water, which can be provided in a collapsing parallelogram arrangement which controls the change in attitude of the axis of the cradle as the cradle moves between the stowed and ramp positions.

Abstract: A device mounted on a boat to launch and retrieve the boat from and into water and to drive it on solid ground, comprising a first set including at least one wheel that pivots freely and mounted on a holder in the stem area of the boat, and two second sets each including at least one drive wheel mounted on a holder in the rear area of the boat, with one of the second sets on the port side and the other on the starboard side, said sets being arranged to place the at least one free wheel in the front and the drive wheels in the back on the ground to roll on solid ground and to launch and retrieve the boat from and into water, said sets being adjustable so that the drive wheels come into contact with a slip before the at least one free wheel.

Abstract: A method and a device for launching an underwater moving body. In order to reduce the expenses arising from furnishing watercraft, a land supported deployment of underwater moving bodies in coastal waters using a launching device is provided with a land-based carrier system for transporting the underwater moving body and a corresponding land-based deploying system.

Abstract: Universal refloating and launching system and method comprising one or several platforms on which the load desired to be immersed or extracted from the sea will be placed. For introducing a load in water, the platform has to be fixed to the dock, through a system that allows it to move up and down in height, then fixing it to the bottom, through pillars and piles, and finally placing the load thereon. With the load placed, the platform is lowered so that the load is slightly immersed and may float. If the aim is to extract a load from the water, the operations will be reversed: starting with the immersed platform, the load is placed above and then the platform is lifted, so that the load can be moved to the dock.

Abstract: This is directed to systems, processes, machines, and other means that enable a user to launch a kayak from a dock. The invention can easily be cranked into a portable or usable position depending on user preference and enable a user to easily launch a kayak.

Abstract: An engagement apparatus for use in the deployment and recovery of a marine craft from a mother ship comprises a receptacle provided on one of the marine craft and the mother ship and an engagement probe provided on the other of the marine craft and the mother ship. The receptacle has a number of spaced channels which receive the engagement probe, engagement between the probe and the channels facilitating alignment between the marine craft and the mother ship. A locking device is also provided to secure the probe to the receptacle to secure the marine craft to the mother ship for recovery. The locking device may be activated by full engagement between the probe and the receptacle.

Abstract: A boatlift for use with small, manual or paddle or oar powered watercraft (such as canoes and kayaks) is provided with a guide rails on either side of the boat lift, which can be utilized by a boater to propel or urge his/her watercraft onto the boatlift. In addition, that boatlift is provided with an entrance/exit assist member which can be used by boaters with impaired leg function to enter and exit from the watercraft.

Abstract: A method for beaching a boat that includes four steps. The first step is to attach one end of a boat fender to one end of another boat fender to form a roller assembly. The second step is to position the roller assembly near and parallel to a shoreline of a body of water. The third step is to position a boat in the water and perpendicular to the shoreline with the center of the bow of the boat centered at the center of the roller assembly. The fourth step is to move the boat toward and onto land, the boat rolling on the roller assembly. In addition, an article of manufacture and an apparatus for joining boat fenders together to form such a roller assembly. The boat can be stowed on the roller assemblies and can be launched back into the water by reversing the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for supporting the hull of a vessel. The apparatus includes two support members (11, 12) that are adapted to cooperate, each support member having an inclined surface (13) and an engagement means (16) for cooperation with a complementary engagement means on the other support member, such that when the two support members are engaged with each other, a support for the hull of a vessel is formed from surfaces of the support members that incline towards each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for centering a boat in a boat docking device, such as a boat lift, having a chute into which the boat is directed. The chute being attached to the docking device using lever and fulcrum assemblies that allow the chute to be tailored to the specific application.

Abstract: A small vessel dock racking system provides a three-sided cradle that is rotatably connected to two lateral supports extending outward from one side of the dock. A person in the water can float the canoe or kayak into the cradle and lift it into a secure vertical storage position on the side of the dock without having to get up on the dock. A pivot point extending out into the water has the advantages of both accommodating freeboard and minimizing the distance between the pivot and the boat's center of gravity, thereby allowing for much less effort in lifting. Depending on the depth of the vessel, the cradle can be dimensioned so that the position of the vessel's center of gravity tends to hold the cradle in a vertical alignment after it's been lifted. Where needed, a cradle latch that can be activated from the water side further secures the storage position.

Abstract: A transportation system and method of transferring a barge from a waterway and to a refurbishing system. The transportation system includes transport systems that move the barge out of water and onto to a position away from the water, then moves the barge into the refurbishing system. The transport systems then move the refurbished barge back into the water.

Abstract: There is provided launch apparatus (14) comprising at least one moveable arm (18) mountable on a water vehicle, wherein the moveable arm (18) carries a carriage means (20, 20?) moveable between a first position in which the carriage means (20, 20?) is capable of holding a personal watercraft (12), and a second position in which it forms a flat surface. The carriage means (20, 20?) is pivotally moveable relative to the arm (18) and comprises at least one pair of pivotal members (28) which in the first position form a substantially v-shaped guide or channel for receiving a personal watercraft. The angle between the pivotal members (28) is adjustable to accommodate different shaped personal watercraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a docking device for watercrafts. An apparatus that is configured to receive a watercraft and includes a fold down anchor on one end of a frame for the purpose of anchoring the apparatus onto the shore, using the weight of the watercraft. Extendable arms on each side of the frame, opposite the anchor, fold out to stabilize the apparatus on the shore. The apparatus further includes a receiving system that includes one or more rollers. Where four rollers are used, a first set of two rollers sit above the anchor to guide the watercraft onto the apparatus while gliding onto the shore. A second set of two rollers are located on the top of the mounting device to hold the hull in place while docked.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a watercraft for picking up and launching boats. The device comprises an extension arm that is coupled in such a manner that it can swing freely on the watercraft, that extends at an acute angle in relation to the surface of the water and floats in water by means of floats. The extension arm comprises guide tracks for a boat retrieving device that is maintained on the extension arm in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The boat retrieving device comprises a holding head that is articulated in a displaceable manner on a running part guided on the guide rails, about an axis that is horizontal and approximately transversal in relation to the extension arm. The running part is connected to the drive means for longitudinally displacing the boat retrieving device. The holding head comprises at least one adjusting means that acts upon its adjusting movement about the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A lift apparatus for a watercraft having a plurality of components positioned below the platform at the aft end of a boat. The lift apparatus is configured to lift and deploy a watercraft from an undeployed orientation overlaying a platform to a deployed orientation away from the platform and on the water. In the deployed orientation the platform is substantially free from any lift apparatus component interference.

Abstract: Apparatus for the launch and recover of boats (48), submersibles and the like includes a support (132) surface and a mounting means for attachment to a fixed structure.

Abstract: A boat lift system for raising and lowering a boat from and into a body of water includes a cradle, a cable and a drive system. The cradle is configured to hold the boat. The cable is connected to the cradle. The drive system includes a reel, a drive mechanism and a cable slack control mechanism. The reel is configured to receive the cable. The reel is rotatable in each of a winding direction to wind the cable onto the reel to raise the cradle and an unwinding direction to unwind the cable from the reel to lower the cradle. The drive mechanism includes a drive member and a motor operable to forcibly rotate the drive member in each of a raising direction and a lowering direction. The drive member is operatively connected to the reel to rotate the reel in the winding direction when the drive member is rotated in the raising direction, and to controllably rotate the reel and/or permit the reel to rotate in the unwinding direction when the drive member is rotated in the lowering direction.

Abstract: A cradle assembly for moving and positioning a watercraft with respect to a support module. The cradle assembly comprises a plurality of horizontally varying cradle beams, a cradle wall extending upward from the cradle beams and a transportation track traversing the cradle beams. A transportation rail is slideably positioned on the transportation track to engage the bottom of the water craft as the cradle assembly moves the watercraft with respect to the support module. A positioning system is operatively connected to the transportation rail to extend a substantial portion of the transportation rail within the support module to place the watercraft in and retrieve it from the support module.

Abstract: The static soft rail launch and recovery system provides an anchor or piling located in a body of water away from the shoreline. The anchor remains at a fixed point under water, while being attached to cables having their opposite ends affixed on land to tension the cables. The cables become like rails due to static tension between the two fixed points. The watercraft is placed on a sling carriage that is slidably mounted on the cables and capable of sliding down the cables to launch the watercraft into the water. The watercraft is recovered by a winch cable tied to the watercraft and connected to a recovery winch. The system may be modified to use a single tow cable, attached to an anchor or piling. The system is used to launch watercraft of various sizes, and other payloads, and may be deployed for military, commercial, or emergency missions.

Abstract: The new boat ramp has a ladder-style frame having C-shaped elongated lateral side rails held in spaced apart parallel condition by C-shaped cross support beams. One end of the frame is a water end and the other end is a shore end. At least six hull roller assemblies are mounted on the side rails in laterally paired relationship across from each other and in longitudinally spaced relationship. One lateral pair is at the water end. Each assembly has a roller axle carrying a hull roller at each end. The assemblies are mounted so that their axles are in pivotable elevated transverse orientation above the side rails so as to provide hull conforming support for a boat. A keel assembly having a central keel roller of significant axial length in at the water end.

Abstract: The watercraft ramp comprises a frame and a plurality of hull-support assemblies mounted thereon. The frame has a pair of elongated channel rails held in laterally spaced condition. Each rail has a longitudinally aligned internal recess and a longitudinally aligned elongated slot for access into the internal recess. The slot is narrower than the transverse width of the recess. Each hull-support assembly has a mounting bracket, a fastener for fixing the bracket on a rail, and at least one hull roller. The fastener has a locking part that extends through the rail slot into the internal rail recess for locking engagement to the rail at any desired location. A stabilizer part on the bracket cooperatives with the slot to maintain alignment of the bracket on the rail.

Abstract: A portable boat beaching device that works with a tire to dock or beach a boat at a water's edge, shore-line, or a river bank and the like. The beaching device comprises a flexible tire cover and at least one floatation guide member. The beaching device optionally comprises at least one ballast guide member and/or at least one tire ballast member and/or a cover tightening system.

Abstract: In a method for processing mixtures of material which contain a coarse component (3) and a predominantly cohesive fine component (4), both the mixture of material (2) and an added material (5) are delivered in continuous streams of material (11, 23) to a homogenizing and separating device (12). The homogenizing and separating device (12) serves to mix the added material (5) and the mixture of material (2) uniformly with one another, so as to put the fine component (4) of the mixture of material (2) into a state such that the fine components (4) can be separated from the coarse component (3). As a result of the continuous delivery of the mixture of material (2) and added material (5) to the homogenizing and separating device (12), and intimate mixing of the added material (5) and fine component (4) is achieved, so that the separation of the coarse component and fine component can take place directly in the same device.

Abstract: The invention includes a boat transporting arrangement (11) that utilises a frame construction with wheels related thereto and side-related pillar-like supports and one or more carrier straps or like devices disposed between said supports (11a) and adapted to hold a boat hull (B1). The frame construction is comprised of a number of individual units (11, 22) which are coupled together (31). Coupling of a first unit to a second unit affords flexural movement with a horizontal flexure line (31a′).

Abstract: A device for assisting one-man launching of boats from boat trailers is provided. A tensioned rope is retained and secured within a reel attached to a boat trailer or other location. In use, the tensioned rope is secured to the trailered boat and retains the boat after the boat is floated free of its trailer. The reel may be removably secured to a number of locations to enable a multiple of uses such as a boat attached line for towing a bait container or sea anchor. The invention includes a trailer having a tensioned rope to allow automatic controlled release of a boat during launch.

Abstract: The watercraft ramp has a watercraft-supporting assembly with a water end and a shore end. It is formed of a laterally spaced pair of U-shaped rails equipped with hull-supporting roller wheels mounted in the U-shape. A transverse footprint brace is mounted under the rails at the water end and a transverse footprint stabilizer bar is mounted under the rails at the shore end. A winch support beam is mounted to the stabilizer bar so as to upward cantilever out beyond the shore end of the rails in an angular relationship closer to parallel than perpendicular to the rails. The components in unassembled condition can be shipped and then assembled by a customer-user.

Abstract: A boat launching device. The boat launching device is portable and attaches to the front of a vehicle so that the driver has a front view while launching the boat into the water. The boat launching device includes a first link member that is connected to a second link member. The link members are attached to the front of a vehicle and to a boat trailer. The link members are detachable from each other after use and may be stored on the boat trailer.

Abstract: The new boat ramp has a ladder-style frame having C-shaped elongated lateral side rails held in spaced apart parallel condition by C-shaped cross support beams. One end of the frame is a water end and the other end is a shore end. At least six hull roller assemblies are mounted on the side rails in laterally paired relationship across from each other and in longitudinally spaced relationship. One lateral pair is at the water end. Each assembly has a roller axle carrying a hull roller at each end. The assemblies are mounted so that their axles are in pivotable elevated transverse orientation above the side rails so as to provide hull conforming support for a boat. A keel assembly having a central keel roller of significant axial length in at the water end.

Abstract: A watercraft beaching device 10 includes one or more collapsible upright supports 11 and 12 which hold a pair cushioned hull engagement surfaces 13 in spaced apart relationship. Advantageously, hull engagement surfaces 13 are elongated to engage more than a single point or area along on side of the hull of watercraft 1 to prevent watercraft 1 from pivoting about the mooring point on the shoreline. Additionally, supports 11 and 12 are configured to hold hull engagement surfaces 13 a sufficient distance above the shoreline to insure that the hull does not come into contact with the aforementioned abrasive agents or shoreline.

Abstract: A boat lift construction is disclosed for retrieving watercraft from one location and moving them to another location by use of a fixed longitudinal member operatively connected to a winch which moves a carrier frame mounted on wheels back and forth between a first position on land and a second position normally in a lake or river or ocean immediately thereadjacent. This boat lift includes an articulated mounting system for the wheels to facilitate continual contact thereof with respect to the ground during overland movement. The wheels are at least partially hydraulic in order to keep the wheels in contact with the ground surface even when moving in an area below the water line which allows the carrier to move along the overland bottom surface underneath the water line as well as along the ground line immediately thereadjacent.

Abstract: A boat landing apparatus includes a pair of roller assemblies, at least two cross members, at least four support brackets, at least four support posts, and at least four support spacers. Each roller assembly includes a plurality of rollers pivotally retained in a roller frame. One end of each roller assembly is mounted to one of the cross members and the other end of each roller assembly is mounted to the other cross member. A wedge spacer may be inserted between a bottom of the roller frame and a top of the cross member bracket. The wedge spacer enables the roller assembly to have an inward tilt. A single support bracket is secured to each end of each cross member. A single support post is secured to a bottom of each support bracket. A single support spacer is attached to each support post.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a watercraft in relation to a surface flooring of a body of water includes a support member for supporting the watercraft and an engaging member adapted to be connected to the support member to selectively retain the watercraft in relation to the support member. A securing assembly is operably connected between the support member and the watercraft to provide a compressive loading force therebetween. Preferably, the support member is formed of a substantially rigid construction. The engaging member is adapted to receive the support member in engagement therewith and may be configured to pivotally engage the watercraft. The securing assembly is moveable between a first position and a second position, thus converting a portion of the weight of the watercraft into a compressive load on the support member. The apparatus for supporting a watercraft may also include a retaining member disposed in relation to the support member.

Abstract: A boat landing apparatus includes a pair of roller assemblies, a pair of cross members, four cross member brackets, and at least two retention stakes. Each roller assembly includes a plurality of rollers pivotally retained in a roller frame. Each cross member bracket is mounted to substantially each end of each roller assembly. A wedge spacer may be mounted between a bottom of the roller frame and the cross member bracket. The wedge spacer enables the roller assembly to have an inward tilt. An opening is formed through substantially a center of the bracket and the roller frame. Each cross member bracket is sized to slidably receive the cross section of the cross member. Each cross member has a plurality of openings formed along a length thereof. The width of the boat landing apparatus may be adjusted by aligning the opening in the roller frame with one of the openings in the cross member. A single stake is then inserted through the openings in the roller assembly and cross bracket into the mounting surface.

Abstract: A watercraft beaching device (10) includes one or more collapsible upright supports (11) and (12) which hold a pair cushioned hull engagement surfaces (13) in spaced apart relationship. Advantageously, hull engagement surfaces (13) are elongated to engage more than a single point or area along on side of the hull of watercraft (1) to prevent watercraft (1) from pivoting about the mooring point on the shoreline. Additionally, supports (11) and (12) are configured to hold hull engagement surfaces (13) a sufficient distance above the shoreline to insure that the hull does not come into contact with the aforementioned abrasive agents or shoreline.

Abstract: A pivoting docking platform for personal watercraft of this invention includes a support tube, or equivalent structure, that is rigidly attached to and extends perpendicularly from a dock or other structure near and above the water where a personal watercraft is used. A frame is pivotally attached to the support tube. The frame pivots between an upward parked position and a downward receiving position. The parked position positions the frame and the personal watercraft parked thereon, parallel to the edge of the dock or other structure and parallel to the water surface. A pair of skids in a parallel spaced relationship are attached to a top of the frame. The skids receive and holds a personal watercraft on the frame. The skids have a receiving end and a forward end. The receiving ends of the skids are positioned beneath the water surface when the frame is in the receiving position. A personal watercraft can be driven onto the receiving end of the skids when the frame is in the receiving position.

Abstract: A transport system includes a dry dock mounted on an air cushion platform portage a ship overland. The system raises the ship from one body of water, hauls it across different surfaces, and launches it in another body of water. Ships and other water borne vessels can be portaged on air cushions across land, marsh, bog, or other impediments to navigable waters, or barge-like work platforms can be taken to work sites on water, swamps or tundra and retrieved after completion of the task. Transport system and ships can bypass canals and locks if these become inoperable, or the canals and locks can be circumvented if political conflicts deny their access.

Abstract: A method of distributing the loads generated between a ship and a supporting dry dock which comprises a platform comprising a number of articulatedly joined sub platforms and connected for lifting/lowering by opposed pairs of hoist winches, comprises moving certain combinations of the sub platforms by activating appropriate hoist winches, so as to alter forces to portions of the ship's hull, which forces may be evenly distributed, or concentrated so as to change the shape of local portions of the ship, or bring into alignment hatches and their covers.