A stowable propulsion system for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft has a proximal end and a distal end with a length axis defined therebetween, where the shaft is pivotably coupled to the base and pivotable about a transverse axis between a stowed position and a deployed position, and where the distal end is closer to the marine vessel when in the stowed position than in the deployed position. A gearset is engaged between the shaft and the base, where the gearset rotates the shaft about the length axis when the shaft is pivoted between the stowed position and the deployed position. A propulsion device is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The propulsion device is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when the shaft is in the deployed position.

A boating accessory attachment system includes a mechanism that is selectively movable between first and second configurations. In the first configuration, one member of the mechanism is substantially vertical to support a boating accessory above the deck and/or fencing so that the boating accessory is accessible and usable by a occupant in the passenger area of the boat. In the second configuration, the member of the mechanism is rotated approximately ninety degrees to be substantially horizontal so that the mechanism supports the boating accessory above the water for use by someone swimming or lounging adjacent to the boat. A tubular receiver mounted to the underside of the deck facilitates attachment of the mechanism to the boat.

A propulsion device for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft includes an upper segment and a lower segment each extending along a length axis, wherein the upper segment is coupled to the base. A propulsor is coupled to the lower segment, where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water. A shock absorber includes a resilient member that resiliently couples the upper segment and the lower segment together, where the resilient member dampens impact forces received at the lower segment and reduces transfer of the impact forces to the upper segment.

A boat may have a deck and a plurality of pontoons or hulls supporting the deck of the boat. The boat may include a starboard side pontoon, a port side pontoon, and possibly a middle pontoon. A positioning assembly may be provided with one or more of the foregoing pontoons. Each of the positioning assemblies may comprise a link assembly coupling the deck to the starboard side toon, wherein the link assembly is configured to permit pivoting of the starboard side toon relative to the deck from a retracted position, where the starboard side toon is proximate to an underside of the deck, to an extended position, where the starboard side toon is moved further from the underside, and an actuator provided to position the starboard side toon between the retracted position and the extended position. The boat may further include a leveling control system having a controller and a level sensor configured to detect an attitude of the deck, the controller in communication with the actuators and cause actuation of either or both of the actuators to extend or retract the port side toon and/or the starboard side toon based on data received from the level sensor indicative of the deck attitude.

The present invention relates generally to underwater wings for providing lift to boats. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a pair of underwater wings that attach to the hulls of a pontoon. The purpose of the wings is to provide a designated amount of lift to reduce drag and improve performance of the watercraft. This is different from a traditional hydrofoil, which is designed to lift a boat completely out of the water. Ideally, the wings are connected to the deck of the pontoon boat via adjustable mounts that allow the wings to be raised or lowered in the water to adjust the amount of drag.

A pontoon boat including a thruster system is disclosed.

Embodiments include a retrofit pontoon system including a pontoon, the pontoon having a pontoon body defining a first cavity, the pontoon body having a first aperture; a retrofit assembly, the retrofit assembly including a selectively fillable container sized to pass through the first aperture; and a pump. The pump is operably coupled with the selectively fillable container such that operation of the pump selectively fills and drains water from the selectively fillable container, wherein filling the selectively fillable container lowers the profile of the pontoon in the water and emptying the selectively fillable container raises the profile of the pontoon in the water.

A lower deck for a watercraft is attached to and supported by an amidships hull, and an actuator slides the lower deck and amidships hull between a stowed position and an extended position on guide rails that are secured to the underside frame of the upper deck that is supported by abeam hulls. When fully extended, the lower deck remains attached to the watercraft while a portion of the lower deck's aft section and the aft end of the amidships hull remains beneath the upper deck. A pair of side beams respectively connect to a port side and a starboard side of the lower deck or the amidships hull. Sliding members, such as rollers and/or guide bars respectively connect to the guide rails, and the side beams respectively engage and slide on the sliding members.

A pontoon boat is provided that includes a deck and a plurality of pontoons running longitudinally beneath the deck and providing buoyancy to the pontoon boat. The plurality of pontoons include a multi-chine configuration that increases the stability of the pontoon boat and provides handling characteristics similar to that of a hulled boat. The plurality of pontoons may include two outer pontoons and a third pontoon positioned laterally intermediate the outer pontoons. The third pontoon may include a plurality of chines, and each of the outer pontoons may include at least one chine. At least a portion of each of the at least one chines of the outer pontoons may be positioned vertically below the plurality of chines of the third pontoon. The chines on the third pontoon may extend longitudinally further than each of the at least one chines of the outer pontoons.

A floatation system for a marine vessel having a deck. The floatation system includes three pontoons each having a cylindrical portion extending between forward and aft ends. The three pontoons include a starboard pontoon, a port pontoon, and a center pontoon positioned therebetween. Support members are coupled to the deck and to the three pontoons such that the three pontoons are interposed. Outer strakes each having a tip and an elongated portion, the elongated portions each extending along an outer length between forward and aft ends, are each coupled to one of the starboard pontoon and the port pontoon. Inner strakes each having a tip and an elongated portion, the elongated portions each extending along an inner length between forward and aft ends, are each coupled to the center pontoon. The aft ends of the outer strakes are aft of the aft ends of the inner strakes.