A marine deck member with enhanced surface traction and the process for forming the same. The marine deck member comprises a sandwich-type composite panel made by a compression molding process. In such a process, the panel is made by subjecting a heated stack of layers of material to cold-pressing in a mold. The cellular core has a 2-D array of cells, each of the cells having an axis substantially perpendicular to the outer surfaces, and extending in the space between the layers or skins, with end faces open to the respective layers or skins. The surface traction of this type of composite panel can be enhanced for marine deck applications by controlled debossing, or embossing, of the first skin while it cools in the compression mold. The debossing effect can be effected by applying pressurized gas, e.g., pressurized air, onto the outer surface of the first skin while in the compression mold. The embossing can be effected by applying vacuum pressure on the outer surface of the first skin while in the compression mold.

Disclosed is a variable beam vessel. The vessel comprises a main hull having a longitudinal axis, a float and a float connection assembly comprising a main support member and actuation system. The main support member is connected to the float and main hull. The actuation system moves the float substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis between an in-use configuration in which the main support member is connected to the main hull and maintains the float a first distance from the main hull, and a stowed configuration in which the main support member maintains the float a second distance from the main hull, the second distance being less than the first distance. The actuation system maintains a common orientation of the float in both the in-use configuration and stowed configuration.

Disclosed is a variable beam vessel. The vessel comprises a main hull having a longitudinal axis, a float and a float connection assembly comprising a main support member and actuation system. The main support member is connected to the float and main hull. The actuation system moves the float substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis between an in-use configuration in which the main support member is connected to the main hull and maintains the float a first distance from the main hull, and a stowed configuration in which the main support member maintains the float a second distance from the main hull, the second distance being less than the first distance. The actuation system maintains a common orientation of the float in both the in-use configuration and stowed configuration.

The present disclosure is directed generally toward sailing vessels. One example is a catamaran with one or more pivoting masts per hull member, which may pivot from a generally perpendicular upright position, to a generally flat stowed position toward the bow of the hulls. The masts are capable of sustaining a plurality of sails, which may travel 180 degrees with respect to the hulls.

A watercraft includes at least one floating member, a central frame supported thereon, first and second foot platforms, and first and second handlebars. The first and second handlebars define elongated configurations and include grasping end portions, intermediate portions pivotably coupled to the central frame, and base end portions pivotably coupled to first end portions of the respective first and second foot platforms. A propulsion system includes an axle assembly, first and second rotating arms, and first and second oars. The rotating arms are fixed relative to one another, pivotably coupled about the axle assembly at first ends, and pivotably coupled to second end portions of the foot platforms at second ends. The oars are engaged with and extend from the foot platforms. The propulsion system cycles the oars approximately 180 degrees out of phase to propel the watercraft while maintaining substantially perpendicular orientation of the oars.

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 modular catamaran is a small body catamaran capable of being easily disassembled. The catamaran has approximate dimensions of ten feet-four inches (10′-4″) long and ninety-five and a half inches (95½″) wide having a pair of foam filled fiberglass pontoons. The top of the catamaran is fabricated with a welded aluminum frame that may be provided complete with seats and an engine.

A docking system for a boat includes spring-loaded bumpers that protrude from the bow of the boat, thereby enabling a boat operator to dock the boat against a vertical structure such as a seawall. Anchors are mounted with respect to the seawall to which ropes may be tied to secure the boat and maintain contact between the bumpers and the seawall. Anchors may be supported above the water level by floats, which automatically adjust the height of the anchors in response to changes in the water level.

A multihull watercraft has at least three hulls extending longitudinally along the watercraft. The hulls at least partly define a port side tunnel and a starboard side tunnel therebetween. A port deflection device is configured to engage water in response to the watercraft leaning toward the port side when turning. The port deflection device is laterally aligned with the port side tunnel. A starboard deflection device is configured to engage water in response to the watercraft leaning toward the starboard side when turning. The starboard deflection device is laterally aligned with the starboard side tunnel. Each of the deflection devices includes an angled surface extending downwardly and rearwardly from an upper tunnel surface of a corresponding one of the tunnels. The angled surface is positioned to remain above a water line when the multihull watercraft is at rest on water.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames.