A water flow deflection device attached to a side of a watercraft to enhance the watercraft's wake. The device having a narrow, elongated base with two ends and a base width, the base aligned along the side of the watercraft when the device is attached to the watercraft. A deflector attached to the base between the two ends and having a face spanning between a leading end and an opposing end, the leading end extending outwardly from the base. The deflector face having a surface area configured to deflect water and a deflector width greater than the base width. The base removably attachable to the watercraft by a plurality of suction cup assemblies, wherein a greater number of suction cup assemblies located between the first end and the leading end of the deflector than between the second end and the leading end of the deflector.

A vessel for operation on a water surface, having a hull that creates a waveform that attracts aquatic animals such as dolphins when traveling at a speed of 9 to 13 knots. The hull comprises a bow, a rounded stern and a midship section extending from the bow to the stern. The hull has a ratio of a waterline beam to a radius of the stern in a range between 2.0-2.5, and a speed-to-length ratio in a range between 1.5-1.7 to create a soft, curling wake in which dolphins can surf and jump. The hull further has a length-to-beam ratio between 2.5 to 3.0, a flat bottom aft, a high deadrise at the bow, and a full midsection with a longitudinal center of gravity located 52% to 56% aft of a beginning of a waterline to result in a low prismatic coefficient of the hull.

A vessel for operation on a water surface, having a hull that creates a waveform that attracts aquatic animals such as dolphins when traveling at a speed of 9 to 13 knots. The hull comprises a bow, a rounded stern and a midship section extending from the bow to the stern. The hull has a ratio of a waterline beam to a radius of the stern in a range between 2.0-2.5, and a speed-to-length ratio in a range between 1.5-1.7 to create a soft, curling wake in which dolphins can surf and jump. The hull further has a length-to-beam ratio between 2.5 to 3.0, a flat bottom aft, a high deadrise at the bow, and a full midsection with a longitudinal center of gravity located 52% to 56% aft of a beginning of a waterline to result in a low prismatic coefficient of the hull.

A recreational sport boat includes a hull having starboard and port sides and a transom, a generally horizontal platform, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The generally horizontal platform extends aft of the transom and is configured to support a human weighing at least 100 lbs. on an upper surface thereof. The pair of wake-modifying devices are attached to the platform. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the platform's centerline, and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the platform's centerline. Each wake-modifying device is moveable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position in which the wake-modifying device is angled downwardly at an angle relative to the top surface of the generally horizontal platform.

A recreational sport boat includes a hull having starboard and port sides and a transom, a generally horizontal platform, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The generally horizontal platform extends aft of the transom and is configured to support a human weighing at least 100 lbs. on an upper surface thereof. The pair of wake-modifying devices are attached to the platform. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the platform's centerline, and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the platform's centerline. Each wake-modifying device is moveable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position in which the wake-modifying device is angled downwardly at an angle relative to the top surface of the generally horizontal platform.

A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. Each wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member. Each wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis that is horizontal or inclined no more than about 35° from horizontal. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.

Wakeboat ballast pump systems and methods are provided to monitor the operational condition and parameters of wakeboat ballast components. Systems and methods for sensing and measurement are provided to detect parameters associated with wakeboat ballast pumps and compartments, including systems and methods that can economically retrofit into existing wakeboat ballast systems. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action based on various operational conditions and parameters to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast pumps.

A wakeboat creates a wake, the performance level of the wake varying depending upon the mass of the wakeboat, the wakeboat including a hull; an engine supported by the hull; a controller supported by the hull; a processor coupled to the controller; a memory coupled to the processor; a sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of the wakeboat, the controller being coupled to the sensor and being configured to receive data from the sensor, the controller being configured to derive the present mass of the wakeboat from said sensor data, the controller being configured to determine the present wake performance level of the wakeboat based on the present mass of the wakeboat; and a tablet computer coupled to the controller, the controller being configured to use the tablet computer to indicate the present wake performance level of the wakeboat.

Wakeboat hull control systems and methods are provided to monitor the orientation of the wakeboat hull in the surrounding water, and to automatically control wakeboat ballast components to achieve or maintain desired hull orientations. Systems and methods are provided to measure, store, and recall hull orientation. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast systems.

Wakeboat hull control systems and methods are provided to monitor the orientation of the wakeboat hull in the surrounding water, and to automatically control wakeboat ballast components to achieve or maintain desired hull orientations. Systems and methods are provided to measure, store, and recall hull orientation. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast systems.