The present invention relates to an apparatus for gliding over a body of flowing water, in particular for surfing, waterskiing, kiteboarding and/or wakeboarding, having a first buoyancy body. The apparatus is characterized by a second buoyancy body, which can be connected to the first buoyancy body by means of a cable, and by a pulley mechanism, which has the cable running through it and can be connected to a first stationary object, and therefore the first buoyancy body and the second buoyancy body, by means of the pulley mechanism with the cable running through it, can execute movements in substantially opposing directions on the body of flowing water.

An acceleration control system for a marine vessel includes an actual propulsion power detector, a setting controller configured or programmed to set final target propulsion power of the marine vessel, and a controller. The controller is configured or programmed to set target propulsion power of the marine vessel at an initial time to an initial target propulsion power, to change the target propulsion power of the marine vessel based on an actual propulsion power of the marine vessel and the initial target propulsion power, and to control a propulsion device such that the actual propulsion power of the marine vessel gets closer to the final target propulsion power.

A transportation tool is configured to carry a rider. A sensor detects weight shifts of the rider on the body of the transportation tool. A controller, based on information from the sensor, generates control signals for an unmanned aerial vehicle. A communication device communicates the control signals to the unmanned aerial vehicle. A cable attaches to the aerial vehicle and to the rider or the body of the transportation tool.

Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.

A tow rope engagement system for a water ski or wakeboard or configured to communicate a majority of the force from the boat engaged to the tow rope, directly to the water ski or wakeboard during deep water starts by a rider. The lesser force required to ride is transferred to a handle held by the skiers hands once the skier has reached a substantially standing position and is on top of the water. A quick release is provided which will disconnect the tow rope should the rider activate it manually or by falling.

A semi-rigid inflatable boat (10), or S-RIB, comprising permanently interconnected inflatable gunwale (12), a flexible bow hull (18) portion and a rigid hull (18) portion located aft of the flexible bow hull portion (18). The S-RIB may additionally comprise a flexible hull portion (18) located aft of the rigid hull portion (16). The flexible hull portions (18) are suitably inflatable, and in certain embodiments comprise an air cell structure, but in preferred embodiments, comprise a drop-stitch structure, which renders them substantially rigid when inflated.

A skiing accessory comprises a support structure, a mounting arrangement and a lift member. The support structure is configured to support a user relative to a body of water. The mounting arrangement is configured to connect the support structure to a ski boom. The lift member is arranged on the support structure and configured to engage the body of water such that the support structure is raised or lifted, relative to the body of water, by the lift member as the accessory is towed. The mounting arrangement permits the support structure to be pivotally connected to the ski boom about an axis that is generally parallel to the ski boom.

The invention relates to a winch system intended, in particular, for water sports, comprising at least one frame, at least one motor, a brake system, and a main tension cable wound around two spools, each spool being actuated by a motor such that when one of the spools unwinds the main cable, the other spool winds up the cable such as to maintain both the unwinding speed and the tension required for the main cable.

A tow rope engagement system for a water ski or wakeboard or configured to communicate a majority of the force from the boat engaged to the tow rope, directly to the water ski or wakeboard during deep water starts by a rider. The lesser force required to ride is transferred to a handle held by the skiers hands once the skier has reached a substantially standing position and is on top of the water. A quick release is provided which will disconnect the tow rope should the rider activate it manually or by falling.

An apparatus for towing a water sports performer includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, and a tower. The first mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a port gunwale of a boat. The second mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a starboard gunwale of the boat. The tower is pivotably and detachably secured to the first and second mounting plates. Each of the first and second mounting plates includes a retractable tower connector that, when retracted, is positioned at or below a substantially flat upper surface of the mounting plate, and, when not retracted, extends above the upper surface of the mounting plate to pivotably and detachably secure the tower to the mounting plate.