A system for controlling movements of a marine surface vessel includes a hull, a bow and a stern. A control unit being controls movements of one or more fins, which control movements of the vessel, in dependence on signals from a position input device, and on signals from a position detecting device. The fin(s) is connected to a respective actuator via a rotation shaft adapted to protrude from the vessel hull, wherein the rotation shaft defines a rotational axis of the fin. Each fin comprises a fin base adapted to be at a first distance from the hull, and a fin tip adapted to be at a second distance from the hull, which second distance is larger than the first distance, wherein a leading edge of the fin, and a trailing edge of the fin extend on opposite sides of the fin, from the fin base to the fin tip.

A system for controlling movements of a marine surface vessel includes a hull, a bow and a stern. A control unit being controls movements of one or more fins, which control movements of the vessel, in dependence on signals from a position input device, and on signals from a position detecting device. The fin(s) is connected to a respective actuator via a rotation shaft adapted to protrude from the vessel hull, wherein the rotation shaft defines a rotational axis of the fin. Each fin comprises a fin base adapted to be at a first distance from the hull, and a fin tip adapted to be at a second distance from the hull, which second distance is larger than the first distance, wherein a leading edge of the fin, and a trailing edge of the fin extend on opposite sides of the fin, from the fin base to the fin tip.

A water riding apparatus is provided for moving along the surface of water in cross-country skier type fashion. The water riding apparatus includes a first pontoon having an elongate hull and a second pontoon having an elongate hull. The first and second elongate hulls are connected together for relative parallel longitudinal motion by a gliding mechanism affixed to inner sides of the first and second elongate hollow hulls. The first and second elongate hulls include foot well openings allowing the user to stand on the bottoms of the hulls at a location below the water line of the hulls. The water riding apparatus further includes a personal stabilizer system for supporting a user in a standing position. The first and second elongate hulls can be locked in a parallel, transversely aligned relationship to allow alternative use of the water riding apparatus in a sitting, kayak-type fashion.

A personal watercraft includes a floatation member, a thrust assembly, a steering assembly, and a braking assembly. The assemblies may be actuated either mechanically or electrically. The thrust assembly is human powered, solar powered, or electric powered. The thrust, steering, and braking assemblies can be added after-market to an existing stand-up paddle board (SUP), or built into one or a plurality of SUPs during initial manufacturing. When the thrust assembly is human powered, it is leg or arm powered. When the thrust assembly is leg powered, the legs can move backward and forward in a sliding motion, up and down in a stomping fashion, or move in a loop trajectory. When the thrust assembly is arm powered, the arms can move forward/backward together or separately. The thrust assembly includes one or a plurality of paddles or flippers that are positioned to the side or under the SUP.

A water propulsion apparatus operatively connected to a body moving on or through a body of water, may produce a propulsive force by sweeping fins in an oscillating motion in a generally transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The fins may be mounted on opposite sides of a frame and are rotatable about a first axis coplanar to the center longitudinal axis of the frame. Drive members rotatable about a second axis that is canted relative to the first axis may be operatively connected to the fins. The oscillatory motion of the fins may be controlled by torque applied at the canted second axis by reciprocating the drive members in a generally vertical plane parallel to the center longitudinal axis of the frame. The oscillating fins may provide a propulsive force during both oscillating directions of the fins as they sweep back and forth.

A water propulsion apparatus operatively connected to a body moving on or through a body of water, may produce a propulsive force by sweeping fins in an oscillating motion in a generally transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The fins may be mounted on opposite sides of a frame and are rotatable about a first axis coplanar to the center longitudinal axis of the frame. Drive members rotatable about a second axis that is canted relative to the first axis may be operatively connected to the fins. The oscillatory motion of the fins may be controlled by torque applied at the canted second axis by reciprocating the drive members in a generally vertical plane parallel to the center longitudinal axis of the frame. The oscillating fins may provide a propulsive force during both oscillating directions of the fins as they sweep back and forth.

A water propulsion assembly operatively connected to a watercraft moving on or through a body of water, may produce a propulsive force by sweeping fins in an oscillating motion in a generally transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft. The fins may be rotatable about a first axis coplanar to the center longitudinal axis of the watercraft. Drive members rotatable about a second axis that is canted relative to the first axis may be operatively connected to the fins. The oscillatory motion of the fins may be controlled by torque applied at the canted second axis by reciprocating the drive members in a plane generally parallel to the center longitudinal axis of the watercraft. The oscillating fins may provide a propulsive force during both oscillating directions of the fins as they sweep back and forth.

A curved body (830), for propelling fluids, crafts and harvesting fluid power, comprises a convex outer leading surface securely connected to a concave inner trailing surface to define an open vessel. Upon oscillation, ambient fluids are accelerated and ejected from the vessel to propel the vessel and the ambient fluids in opposite directions. Apparatus is secured to a motive power source directly or via actuating member (832), by fastening through aperture (834). The oscillating propulsor can be operated directly by a reciprocating motive power source, and indirectly by the reaction momentum imparted to a supporting base. Thrust may be vectored by rotation of the curved body (830) about the supporting base. Drag reduction using fluid dynamic shapes, intake openings, a fore fin (844), an aft fin (846), and a lubricant cavity, are embodied. Enhanced propulsion using multistage oscillating propulsors is embodied.

A curved body (830), for propelling fluids, crafts and harvesting fluid power, comprises a convex outer leading surface securely connected to a concave inner trailing surface to define an open vessel. Upon oscillation, ambient fluids are accelerated and ejected from the vessel to propel the vessel and the ambient fluids in opposite directions. Apparatus is secured to a motive power source directly or via actuating member (832), by fastening through aperture (834). The oscillating propulsor can be operated directly by a reciprocating motive power source, and indirectly by the reaction momentum imparted to a supporting base. Thrust may be vectored by rotation of the curved body (830) about the supporting base. Drag reduction using fluid dynamic shapes, intake openings, a fore fin (844), an aft fin (846), and a lubricant cavity, are embodied. Enhanced propulsion using multistage oscillating propulsors is embodied.

This disclosure provides improved nautical craft that can travel and navigate on their own. A hybrid vessel is described that converts wave motion to locomotive thrust by mechanical means, and also converts wave motion to electrical power for storage in a battery. The electrical power can then be tapped to provide locomotive power during periods where wave motion is inadequate and during deployment. The electrical power can also be tapped to even out the undulating thrust that is created when locomotion of the vessel is powered by wave motion alone.