Systems, devices, and methods are provided for operating a watercraft vessel. The system can include a communication unit configured to receive a position signal and a velocity signal of the first vessel. The system can include a first sensing unit configured to determine a relative position signal of one or more nearby vessels including the first vessel, a second sensing unit configured to detect and measure a fluid velocity field of a vortex around the watercraft vessel, and a third sensing unit configured to detect and measure an efficiency gain from a lifting force experienced by watercraft vessel operating in an upwash region of the vortex. And the system can include a control unit configured to maneuver the watercraft vessel from a first position to an optimum position.

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for operating a watercraft vessel. The system can include a communication unit configured to receive a position signal and a velocity signal of the first vessel. The system can include a first sensing unit configured to determine a relative position signal of one or more nearby vessels including the first vessel, a second sensing unit configured to detect and measure a fluid velocity field of a vortex around the watercraft vessel, and a third sensing unit configured to detect and measure an efficiency gain from a lifting force experienced by watercraft vessel operating in an upwash region of the vortex. And the system can include a control unit configured to maneuver the watercraft vessel from a first position to an optimum position.

The present invention is broadly directed to an unmanned surface vessel (USV) 10 broadly comprising: 1. a vessel body (12) adapted to contain a payload (14); 2. a front fin (16) and a rear fin (18) connected to and protruding from the vessel body (12); 3. a forward foil (20) and a rearward foil (22) connected to a distal end region of the respective front and rear fins (16) and (18); 4. propulsion means (24) operatively coupled to the rear fin (18) for propulsion of the fin (18) and the foil (22) through the water.

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 personal watercraft comprising a body having a seat and a hull, the seat configured to support a user with the body floating in water, a plurality of hydrofoils extending outwards from the body and coupled to a positioning system, the plurality of hydrofoils being configured, in combination, to raise the hull of the personal watercraft above a waterline in the water when the personal watercraft is in use and under the influence of a propulsion force, one or more sensors that provide sensor data of the watercraft during use, a computer-readable medium having a processor and a memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor read the sensor data, and based on the read sensor data, send a signal to the positioning system to adjust the position for at least one of the plurality of hydrofoils.

An active stabilizing device for a primary damping of rolling movements of a ship or other watercraft including a hull including at least one positioning device having a drive journal and a stabilizing fin with a stabilizing surface and a root, the drive journal being attached to the stabilizing fin at the root, the stabilizing surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge and being configured to be disposed underwater. The positioning device is configured to set an angle of attack of the stabilizing fin by rotating the drive journal about a first axis of rotation and to pivot the drive journal about a second axis of rotation to move the stabilizing fin between a forward position and a rearward position relative to a bow of the watercraft.

This invention provides improvements in the efficiency of a sailing vessel through the use of flaps, hydrofoils, or members on the keel of a sailing vessel. One or more are positioned at the top, or root of the keel of the vessel, which primarily generate a force in the windward direction to provide a counter-leeward drift force. One or more are located at the bottom, or tip of the keel of the vessel, which primarily generate a force in the leeward direction to provide a counter-heeling moment. Among other benefits, operation of these flaps, hydrofoils, or members during sailing increases the vessel's efficiency, in particular its velocity made good. Further, since they are mounted on one appendage, sailing vessels of a rudder and keel design can be equipped with counter leeward-drift and counter-heeling attributes without the need for additional appendages.

A boat includes at least three trim devices positioned aft of the boat's transom. To improve the boat's ability to get on place, each trim device is initially positioned to a deployed position. The speed of the boat is then determined as the boat gains speed. When the speed of the boat exceeds a first predetermined threshold, the first trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the second trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the third trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. At least one of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds is different from the other two of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds.

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 fluid foil has a main fixed portion and a tip portion movably mounted at a tip end of the main fixed portion. The main fixed portion has an upper surface and a lower surface, and the tip portion has an upper surface and a lower surface. The fluid foil is operable in: a) a first configuration in which the upper surface of the tip portion is angled downwardly with respect to the upper surface of the main fixed portion; and b) a second configuration in which the tip portion is rotated upwardly with respect to the first configuration such that the upper surface of the tip portion and the upper surface of the main fixed portion are substantially continuous surfaces. The movement of the tip portion with respect to the main fixed portion is exclusively passively actuated by movement of the foil with respect to a surrounding fluid.