A system for a marine vessel operating in a body of water includes a trimmable marine device coupled to and movable with respect to the vessel and an actuator that raises and lowers the marine device. A control module is in signal communication with the actuator. A GPS receiver determines a current and/or predicted global position of the vessel, and a processor accesses a memory storing bathymetry data and retrieves a water depth corresponding to the vessel's current and/or predicted global position. The control module compares the water depth to a depth of the marine device based on the marine device's current position. The actuator raises the marine device in response to the control module determining that the water depth is not enough to accommodate the depth of the marine device at the current position without potential collision between the marine device and the body of water's bottom.

A system for a marine vessel operating in a body of water includes a trimmable marine device coupled to and movable with respect to the vessel and an actuator that raises and lowers the marine device. A control module is in signal communication with the actuator. A GPS receiver determines a current and/or predicted global position of the vessel, and a processor accesses a memory storing bathymetry data and retrieves a water depth corresponding to the vessel's current and/or predicted global position. The control module compares the water depth to a depth of the marine device based on the marine device's current position. The actuator raises the marine device in response to the control module determining that the water depth is not enough to accommodate the depth of the marine device at the current position without potential collision between the marine device and the body of water's bottom.

A hull for a watercraft and a watercraft disclosed, the hull including a hull body having a first recess surface defining a first recess, and a second recess surface defining a second recess; a first hull panel disposed in the first recess, a front portion of the first hull panel being movable between a first and second position; a second hull panel disposed in the second recess, a front portion of the second hull panel being movable between a third and fourth position; a first biasing member biasing the front portion of the first hull panel toward the first position; a second biasing member biasing the front portion of the second hull panel toward the third position; a first stopper for the first hull panel; a second stopper for the second hull panel; and a stabilizing bar for transferring motion between the first hull panel and the second hull panel.

A hull for a watercraft and a watercraft disclosed, the hull including a hull body having a first recess surface defining a first recess, and a second recess surface defining a second recess; a first hull panel disposed in the first recess, a front portion of the first hull panel being movable between a first and second position; a second hull panel disposed in the second recess, a front portion of the second hull panel being movable between a third and fourth position; a first biasing member biasing the front portion of the first hull panel toward the first position; a second biasing member biasing the front portion of the second hull panel toward the third position; a first stopper for the first hull panel; a second stopper for the second hull panel; and a stabilizing bar for transferring motion between the first hull panel and the second hull panel.

A high speed ship configuration for achieving a plane state efficiently, with threshold power available in fully loaded cargo ship. The system may include a boost phase assist structure to assist in the achievement of a plane state. The boost assist may be external or internal to the ship. The boost assist may provide power and/or lift assist. One embodiment may include a launch rail. In one embodiment, the configuration includes a retractable lateral wing structure disposed toward the stern of the vessel and containing auxiliary power providing thrust for the vessel. The wing structure is deployed during an initial boost phase acceleration and may be stowed in the vessel once the vessel achieves full plane operation. In one embodiment, the boost power structure may include propeller drive, paddle drive, or waterjet drive. The boost power structure may provide buoyancy and/or hydrodynamic trim to assist in achieving plane state operation.

A high speed ship configuration for achieving a plane state efficiently, with threshold power available in fully loaded cargo ship. The system may include a boost phase assist structure to assist in the achievement of a plane state. The boost assist may be external or internal to the ship. The boost assist may provide power and/or lift assist. One embodiment may include a launch rail. In one embodiment, the configuration includes a retractable lateral wing structure disposed toward the stern of the vessel and containing auxiliary power providing thrust for the vessel. The wing structure is deployed during an initial boost phase acceleration and may be stowed in the vessel once the vessel achieves full plane operation. In one embodiment, the boost power structure may include propeller drive, paddle drive, or waterjet drive. The boost power structure may provide buoyancy and/or hydrodynamic trim to assist in achieving plane state operation.

A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface. The wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis. 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.

A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface. The wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis. 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.

In various embodiments, a wake diversion system operates to manipulate the characteristics of the stern waves produced by a watercraft as it passes through water. In one embodiment, the wake diversion system includes a wake diverter that is comprised of a body, a panel, and a plurality of boat attachment mechanisms. The wake diverter is removably attachable to the side of the hull of a watercraft such that it obstructs the natural flow of water around the hull of the watercraft on side of the watercraft to which it is attached.

A wakeboat has a hull, the hull forming a wake when moving forward in the water, with a port disturbance and a starboard disturbance in the wake. Left (port) and right (starboard) trim tabs are installed at the stern of the hull. Each trim tab comprises a primary subtab and a secondary subtab. Actuators may be optionally included to reposition the trim tabs more into, or more out of, the water. Such repositioning causes the disturbance on one side of the wake to be selectively repositioned to the other side of the wake, enlarging a quiet region on the side of the wake on which the repositioned disturbance was originally positioned. Other systems and methods are also provided.