A propulsion system for a boat comprises a plurality of aerofoils connected to a main mast. At least one of the aerofoils is a displaceable aerofoil adapted to be displaced along the main mast between an open position and a closed position. When the displaceable aerofoil is in its open position the aerofoils together form a sail of open sail area. When the displaceable aerofoil is in its closed position at least some of the aerofoils overlap to form a sail of closed sail area, the closed sail area being less than the open sail area. The propulsion system can include a displacement mechanism to displace the displaceable aerofoil between its open and closed positions; at least one of the aerofoils having a solar panel thereon; and/or a stub mast extending along and free to rotate about a stub axis and; connected to the main mast by a stub pivot.

An adaptable modular power system (AMPS) is hierarchical in a number of ways. AMPS modules connect to a backplane, and one or multiple AMPS backplanes can form an AMPS domain. At the same time, the vehicle electronics is modular, with various payload boxes needing to communicate with each other. A common power and signaling cable is provided to interconnect payload boxes. A dedicated connector system is also provided so that AMPS modules may communicate, control, receive data, and supply and receive power.

A self-powered trolling motor device including a shaft member including a motor element and a propeller element attached to the shaft member at a distal end and including at least one rechargeable battery and a control cover attached to the shaft member at a proximate end, the rechargeable battery having affixed thereto a plurality of solar panels on all sides of the battery, wherein the rechargeable battery and the affixed solar panels collectively form a self-powered unit for powering the device.

A watercraft includes at least one float, a first frame supported by the at least one float, and a main panel affixed across the first frame. The watercraft further includes a second frame affixed to the first frame rotatably about a first edge and a second panel affixed across the second frame. In an embodiment, the first edge includes a shared frame member belonging to both said the frame and the second frame. In an embodiment, the watercraft includes a third frame affixed to the first frame rotatably about a second edge distinct from the first edge and a third panel affixed across the third frame. In an embodiment, the watercraft includes a shade rotatably affixed to a shade support edge member of the second frame and a shade panel affixed across the shade frame. The shade frame includes a pair of shade frame edge members rotatably affixed to the shade support edge member of the second frame.

A solar powered aquatic vessel includes a hull having an overall length equal to a length of a waterline and a maximum hull draft at station that is located at a position that is approximately 30% of the overall length of the hull. A bottom of the hull has an approximately linear slope from a maximum beam to a transom forming a stern of the hull. A canopy is connected to the hull of the solar powered aquatic vessel and supports at least one photovoltaic panel connected to a photovoltaic system positioned in the hull. The photovoltaic system generates electrical power from a sun that is equal to or greater than an electrical power necessary to propel the solar powered vehicle, and a motor operatively connected to the photovoltaic system.

Solar roof system for the propulsion and/or habitability of barges powered by solar energy provided by photovoltaic covers connected to each other, which serve as a lid for the containers where the barge load is transported. The covers can be connected to a power bank and a voltage regulation system and inverters, which avoid energy spikes and have the aim of providing a constant current.

A watercraft includes a pair of inflatable pontoons. Releasably affixed atop each of the pontoons and aligned therewith are inner and outer lengthwise frame members. Forward and aft beamwise frame members are affixed to the inner and outer lengthwise frame members. Primary arch members are affixed to the forward and aft beamwise frame members. A main fabric panel is stretched between the pair of primary arch frame members, the forward beamwise frame member, and the aft beamwise frame member. A motor mount is affixed centrally to the aft beamwise frame member, the motor mount being configured to removably support a motor assembly. Aft panel side members are rotatably-lockably affixed to the aft beamwise frame member and joined by an aft panel top member. An aft fabric panel is stretched between the aft panel side members, the aft beamwise frame member, and the aft panel top member.

A solar-powered boat comprising a hull which comprises a bottom panel and side panels extending upwardly from opposed sides of the bottom panel for defining a hull interior region. At least one of the side panels comprises an upper section angled inwardly with respect to an axis orthogonal to the bottom panel; and at least one panel opening provided in the upper section. The solar-powered boat is further comprised of at least one solar panel configured to supply electricity to the boat, the solar panel being mounted within the panel opening using a solar panel mounting kit.

Disclosed herein are hydrofoil vessels and systems integrated with renewable energy sources. In one aspect, the hydrofoil vessel includes one or more hulls, an omni-directional platform connecting the one or more hulls of the hydrofoil vessel. The omni-directional platform may include at least one of: a sail, a wind turbine, a solar panel, a hydroelectric motor, a hydrofoil controller platform, and a battery component. Also disclosed herein are methods and computer readable medium for controlling an omni direct modular hydrofoil vessel having one or more hulls integrated with renewable-energy sources.

A marine vessel can be propelled by using wind or solar energy. This propulsion results in the forward movement and six degrees of motion (roll, heave, pitch, yaw, surge, and sway) of the marine vessel. This invention capitalizes on the fact that solar, wind and wave energy are cyclical by nature. The present invention enables the vessel to manage stored and harvested energy from these energy sources and use the stored energy during periods when the external natural sources of energy are not available in adequate quantities to maintain a reasonable speed of advance for the marine vessel. The vessel's natural energy management system (NEMS) manages it in such a way that harvesting of the energy during high energy cycles, storing it and using it when needed during low external energy cycles, allows a marine vessel to maintain faster average speed without reliance on any fossil or chemical fuel and by only using renewable energy sources.