Abstract: According to the invention, the building berth vessel support and handling system comprises longitudinal and transverse rows of keel blocks which serve to support a vessel as she changes position. Each keel block, in turn, comprises a support, a lifting mechanism installed in the support, and a housing accommodating a support pad which is shaped as a body of revolution, for example, a cylinder, and rests on the lifting mechanism.

Abstract: An hydraulic boat lift utilizing readily available city water as the pressure fluid comprises one or more lift cylinders buried vertically under a body of water with the upper ends of the cylinders protruding into the water, a cradle supporting plate is connected to the top of each cylinder ram to support a cradle below the water surface until the cradle is elevated above the water surface, the cradle being stabilized in a horizontal plane by at least three poles vertically buried below the water and spaced equiangularly about each lift cylinder, each pole at its upper end being connected by a rigid radial member to the upper end of the lift cylinder and the cradle supporting plate being connected to the upper end of each pole by a chain having means to adjust its length to prevent the plate and cradle from being unbalanced out of horizontal position.

Abstract: Systems for launching or hauling up small boats, especially pleasure boats and the like, include a pair of rails joined together by sleepers and a carriage having two or more pairs of wheels which run along the rails. The rails are designed so that each of them forms a first track which is obliquely disposed in a lateral direction relative to a horizontal plane. A second track adjacent the first track forms an angle of about 90.degree. in a lateral direction relative to the first track.

Abstract: The invention contemplates shoring structure for winter or other land-based storage of small boats, such as keeled sailboat hulls, wherein the basic structure is adaptable to the inherently stable and locked retention of each of a relatively wide variety of different hull shapes, and wherein such structure may be collapsed and stored within relatively compact volumetric confines.