Abstract: Disclosed is a surface vessel with motorised mechanical propulsion including a fusiform hull and a keel in the bottom part of the hull, the hull having an elongate shape in a longitudinal direction of the vessel, the keel including, at the bottom end of same, a bulb linked to the hull by a linking part of the keel, the maximum width of the linking part being smaller than the maximum width of the bulb, the maximum length of the linking part being smaller than the maximum length of the bulb, the lengths and widths being considered respectively in the longitudinal direction of the vessel and a horizontal transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The hull has a total width to total length ratio of less than 0.2 and a maximum length of less than 20 metres.

Abstract: Watersport board fins with fin retention systems and associated watersport boards and methods. A fin includes a hydrodynamic blade and a fin base extending from the hydrodynamic blade. The hydrodynamic blade defines a fin plane and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a foil surface. The fin further includes a fin retention system with a selective retention system that includes a retainer and an actuator coupled to the retainer via a pivot shaft. The actuator forms a portion of the hydrodynamic blade when the selective retention system is in a locked configuration and is configured to rotate away from the fin plane when the selective retention system transitions from the locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. The retainer is configured to rotate away from the fin plane when the selective retention system transitions from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.

Abstract: A quick detachable fin hold system for quickly removing and changing the fins on kiteboards and wakeboards or the like. Operated by activating a lever that presses against the board surface or another surface attached to the board and pulls against the clip body and the pins attached to the fin. This action positively tightens the fin to the board. To remove simply lift the lever to loosen the assembly, slide the clip body along the slots and the pins pull out of the hole on the clip body and through the holes in the board.

Abstract: In one example, a board suitable for use in water sports includes a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The board also includes a retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.

Abstract: A canting ballast twin foil (CBTF) sailing yacht constructed according to the invention includes a sailing hull, a laterally moveable ballast suspended beneath the hull that provides a counter heeling force when the yacht is underway, and fore and aft foils that provide improved leeway control and ballast. Components are included for at least partially retracting into the hull at least one of the ballast-supporting strut, the fore foil, and the aft foil.

Abstract: A sailboat having a novel hull shape, a fixed, shallow keel, dual rudders, and retractable, shallow dagger boards for sailing in shallow or shoal water is provided. The combination of features allows the boat to achieve performance sailing at all points of wind, and in both deep and shallow water. The hull preferably has a hydrodynamic shape which provides lift and lateral resistance to the hull when sailing. The keel is preferably shallow so that the boat may be sailed in shallow water and even beached. The draft of the keel is preferably related to the length of the hull measured along the waterline. In a preferred embodiment, there is 1 inch of draft for every 1 foot of waterline. The boat may also preferably include a set of retractable dagger boards located on opposite sides of the keel. A dagger board may be extended on the leeward side of the boat when the wind exceeds about 15 knots, in order to help prevent side slippage or leeway.

Abstract: An asymmetric wing for decreasing the leeward drift of a vessel has two different surfaces, one of which is cambered in cross-section and the other which has less camber in cross-section or flat. The asymmetric wing has a leading edge pointed toward the bow of the vessel and the trailing edge pointed toward the stern of the vessel. The surfaces of the asymmetric wing can be selectively moved to the port or starboard sides of the vessel. For centerboard and sliding keel vessels, a pair of asymmetric wings are installed in trunks, each asymmetric wing having a first cambered surface and a second less cambered surface. The first cambered surfaces of the two asymmetric wings point in opposite directions. At any one time both asymmetric wings are not moved into the water. The asymmetric wing is applicable to vessels without a centerboard or sliding keel trunk. In such a case, a horizontal shaft extends through a single asymmetric wing and the single cambered surface is rotated to either port or starboard.

Abstract: A surfboard fin quick release system, for use on a surfboard having a top surface and a fin having a tang, comprising a fin box submerged within the surfboard and a locking mechanism mounted to the fin tang. The fin box comprises a longitudinal channel having a vertical channel and a horizontal channel. The locking mechanism has a main shaft which extends vertically through the fin tang, a release handle fixed to the main shaft above the fin tang, and a locking base having a locking base flange, said locking base fixed to the main shaft below the fin tang. A coil spring extends around the main shaft between the release handle and the tang. When the fin is extending in the vertical channel, the locking base is selectively positioned by rotating the release handle so that the base flange extends into the horizontal channel to lock the fin within the fin box.

Abstract: A water craft assembly comprising a towboat (1) and a barge (2) pushed and steered by the towboat (1) and which is designed and constructed for use in shallow water with an optimal cargo-carrying capacity, and wherein the towboat includes a paddle wheel drive mounted in its stern.

Abstract: A watercraft containing a fin box system, said fin box system comprising a chamber of spaced side walls and end walls, and a fin with a fin base that can travel vertically, horizontally or at an angle within said chamber; said chamber is fixed within said watercraft, and said fin base having a device to expand and contract itself against said side walls or end walls can be releasably fixed at an infinite number of positions within said fin box.

Abstract: The lip-type seal for the inlet opening (2) for the dagger board housing and the dagger board (3) exhibits two supporting strips (5) countersunk into the board hull (4) on both sides of the inlet opening (2) as well as two mounting strips (7) with a sealing lip (8) for clamping onto the supporting strips (5), these mounting strips terminating with the profile (6) of the underwater hull and being fashioned as clamping strips. The mounting strip (7) is designed as an L-profile. Respectively one short, perpendicularly bent-away clamping leg (11, 12) is formed at the end edges of the long (9) and of the short leg (10) of the mounting strip (7). The sealing lip (8) adjoining the long leg (9) of the mounting strip (7) is formed, on its longitudinal side facing away from the mounting strip, into a rounded sealing edge (13) passing over into an elastic supporting leg (14) that is oriented obliquely upwardly, this supporting leg being attached to the end edge of the short leg (10) of the mounting strip (7).

Abstract: A retractable steering device for liquid/bulk cargo carrying barges includes a rectangular barge hull having a generally flat bottom and an upper deck and generally vertical port and starboard sidewalls. A cargo hold is contained at the central portion of and within the barge hull for containing a liquid or bulk cargo. Port and starboard wing tanks are positioned respectively between the port and sidewalls of the hull and the cargo hold. A pair of longitudinally extending slots are positioned adjacent the respective port and starboard wing tanks, each defining an opening that communicates at least with the barge bottom to provide an opening to the sea under the barge bottom.

Abstract: In a sailing yacht with a centerboard having a hull accommodating a centerboard well containing the centerboard capable of movement therein through rollers along curvilinear guides provided in the centerboard well, according to the invention, the rollers and guides are positioned at either side of the centerboard along its stern edge, the rollers being secured immediately on the centerboard.

Abstract: A lightning protection installation for boats comprising a copper lightning rod mounted on the top of the mast or, in the case of a power boat, mounted on the deck, a copper wire attached to the rod and running downwardly to a point where it is attached to a retractable copper conductor. The copper conductor is retractable through a plastic or fiberglass tube or box molded or inserted in the hull or attached to a centerboard, if available. When the conductor is raised to the passive position, it is protected from the formation of marine growth; and when it is lowered, the conductor provides sufficient wettable electrical conducting grounding surface to conduct the lightning to water ground. Raising the conductor removes the slight drag caused by the grounded conductor.

Abstract: A retractable steering device for liquid/bulk cargo carrying barges includes a rectangular barge hull having a generally flat bottom and an upper deck and generally vertical port and starboard sidewalls. A cargo hold is contained at the central portion of and within the barge hull for containing a liquid or bulk cargo. Port and starboard wing tanks are positioned respectively between the port and sidewalls of the hull and the cargo hold. A pair of longitudinally extending slots are positioned adjacent the respective port and starboard wing tanks, each defining an opening that communicates at least with the barge bottom to provide an opening to the sea under the barge bottom.

Abstract: A lightweight monohull sailboat of length less than sixteen feet having a clear uninterrupted, full beam, deck area above the waterline of the hull of at least sixteen square feet. The sailboat is molded fiberglass or plywood construction including integral flotation chambers and having removable mast, sail and tiller that permit the sailboat to be easily loaded on a cartop by one person. The sailboat readily accomodates at least two adults for sleeping when launched.

Abstract: An automatic rudder attachment for outboard jet motors. A rudder attachment is designed to provide steering capability at low or drifting speeds when the jet thrust is reduced and during reverse direction when the jet thrust is reversed. The rudder swings up to a retracted position when the jet motor is operating and provides sufficient thrust for steering. The rudder is pivotally attached over the jet nozzle whereby the water race effects the vertical swing of the rudder.

Abstract: The lip gasket for the daggerboard well of a sailboard (1) exhibits two supporting strips (3) embedded in the board body on both sides of the daggerboard well opening (2), as well as two cover strips (5), terminating with the profile (4) of the underwater hull and designed as clamping strips, for being clamped into the supporting strips (3). The cover strips (5) consist of a flat extruded profile exhibiting an outer clamping zone (6) of a hard synthetic resin, for example polyvinyl chloride, and an inner zone, forming a sealing lip (7), of an elastic synthetic resin, for example polyurethane. The two sealing lips (7) of the lip gasket constitute an elastic, tight seal of the daggerboard well opening (2) in the folded (8') and in the deployed (8") position of the daggerboard (8).

Abstract: A life buoy 1 in the form of an inflatable ring with a floor 10 has a textile, invert cone keel 11 filled with water and held open by a ballast mass 14. Around the keel hangs an open mesh textile sea anchor 25. Steps 18, braced 20 to the keel, assist a man overboard in entering the life buoy. The life buoy is detachably provided with a sling 30, having a lifting eye 31 for lifting the man overboard from the life buoy.

Abstract: A steerable keel (10) comprising, in a first embodiment, a stationary section (12) and a rotatable section (14) and in a second embodiment, a stationary section (30) and two rotatable sections (32) (34). In either embodiment, the steerable keel (10) is designed with an aerodynamic fin cross-section and extends downwardly in a vertical direction from the hull of a sail boat (50). The rotatable sections (12) or (32) (34) are in indpendently controlled by a tiller(s) located above the boat deck. The keel (10) in operation is fixed. However, a means is provided to retract the keel to allow the boat to dock and navigate through shallow waters. The steerable keel (10) is designed to equalize the wind force and its below water keel counter force by providing a controlled below water lifting force that is produced by selectively adjusting the arc travel of the rotatable keel(s). Thus, the boat beam is maintained in a relatively horizontal plane which, in turn, allows a greater speed to be achieved.

Abstract: A boat with a raisable and lowerable keel is proposed, which can be constructed as a swivel, lifting or ballast drop keel. The keels are fixed to tensioning members either directly or via cables. The tensioning members can be spiral springs, which run in the lifting keel box and are guided in the interior of the lifting keel to the lower end thereof. If the lifting keel is lowered, the spiral springs are tensioned, so that only relatively limited forces are required for raising by means of a spindle (FIG 1).

Abstract: A water ski fin is carried by a housing mounted to the upper surface of the rear end of a ski with the fin extending downwardly through an elongated slot in the ski. The fin carries a transversely extending wing thereon and the combination is capable of being pivoted relative to the housing and ski to thereby change the angle of the wing. Movement is accomplished by a handle on one side of the housing which rotates a cam element which, in turn, engages an opening in the fin adjacent the top thereof. A locking device maintains the wing and fin in the desired position by preventing further movement of the cam element.

Abstract: A lifting keel assembly for sailboats having a shaft obliquely inclined in forward and upward directions slidably receiving the lifting keel, the upper area of the lifting keel being provided with sliding shoes on the forward and rearward longitudinal edges, which sliding shoes are guided in associated prismatic guides of the shaft, one sliding shoe having on either side a protruding V-profile, and the associated guide enclosing said two V-profiles of the sliding shoe, while a further sliding shoe on the other edge of the keel is guided in an associated guide by two oppositely arranged sliding surfaces.

Abstract: A marine capsule for sea rescue and transportation having a generally spherical configuration and on its sides hermetically closed hatches of tempered glass and a sun-reflecting signal-sending film. At its top are four larger diameter hatches, two of which preferably permit access of persons or equipment into the capsule. Also there may be waterproof lateral access windows or openings for persons without seafaring experience. The other two overhead hatches have a ventilation system, which admits air but not water. A stowable stabilizing element has members which can be telescoped by a gear and crank system so as not to interfere with handling of the capsule when not in use, but to extend when it is afloat. Radial fins ending in a peripheral fin protrude from the lower outside of the capsule, and an air chamber is built into its body. Other interior equipment includes a seat extending all around, storage compartments, water and toilet.

Abstract: In the trailerable sailboat disclosed herein, the provision of water ballasting enables the use of a V-bottomed displacement hull shape with substantial deadrise yielding a low-wetted surface are in relation to effective displacement. The water ballasting is provided by sealed structural elements which form, with the hull shell, a ballast tank space which is essentially entirely below the design waterline of the hull shape so as to permit self-filling of the tank space with seawater.

Abstract: Mast is pivoted to sailboat hull and carries a counter-balance weight below the pivot. Wind pressure causes mast heeling with the counter-balance supplying the mast-righting force. Additionally, movable weights in the hull bottom are cable-connected to the mast so that, upon mast heeling with respect to the hull, the weights are moved upward and outward. The underwater structure of the sailboat is also controlled by mast listing or heeling. When centerboard-equipped, the centerboard is lowered with mast heeling. When keel-equipped, the pivoted keel is swung for maximum stability.