A watercraft having a fixed hull and a deck affixed to the fixed hull. A rear steering device is pivotally connected to the watercraft and is coordinated with pontoons that are opposite the rear steering device. When the rear steering device rotates, the pontoons rotate in the opposite direction.

One or more propulsion arrangements for water vessels, and in particular propulsion arrangements that include flanking rudders with bidirectional high-lift sections to improve performance, particularly in the reverse direction. The flanking rudders are positioned adjacent a propulsor for directing a slipstream flow when the vessel is travelling in the reverse direction. Each flanking rudder has an elongated profile extending from a first edge to a second edge, and in which each elongated profile has a first bulb portion, a convex middle portion, and a second bulb portion.

A unique watercraft that includes a plurality of flotation elements which are aligned longitudinally and fit together end to end, comprising the watercraft hull. Unlike other watercraft, it does not rely upon a low center of gravity for stability. A front flotation element pivots about an axis and this pivotal motion is used for both steering and for maintaining balance. The effective profile of the hull changes dynamically as the front flotation element is turned. These hull changes allow the operator to balance and make agile maneuvers. Equilibrium can be easily maintained in this manner when the watercraft is moving forward and when it is otherwise stationary in water. In a preferred embodiment, the watercraft is ridden like a bicycle. Balance is actively maintained by a rider who steers right and left to adjust transverse weight distribution. The riding experience feels similar to operating a conventional bicycle on land.

A unique watercraft that includes a plurality of flotation elements which are aligned longitudinally and fit together end to end, comprising the watercraft hull. Unlike other watercraft, it does not rely upon a low center of gravity for stability. A front flotation element pivots about an axis and this pivotal motion is used for both steering and for maintaining balance. The effective profile of the hull changes dynamically as the front flotation element is turned. These hull changes allow the operator to balance and make agile maneuvers. Equilibrium can be easily maintained in this manner when the watercraft is moving forward and when it is otherwise stationary in water. In a preferred embodiment, the watercraft is ridden like a bicycle. Balance is actively maintained by a rider who steers right and left to adjust transverse weight distribution. The riding experience feels similar to operating a conventional bicycle on land.

A boat includes a planing hull, a propeller, a main rudder, and a pair of flanking rudders. The planing hull has port and starboard sides, a transom, a hull bottom, and a centerline running down the middle of the boat, halfway between the port and starboard sides. The propeller is positioned forward of the transom and beneath the hull bottom. The main rudder is positioned aft of the propeller. The main rudder has a rotation axis about which the main rudder rotates. The flanking rudders are positioned forward of the propeller. One of the flanking rudders is positioned on the port side of the centerline, and the other flanking rudder is positioned on the starboard side of the centerline.

A boat includes a planing hull, a propeller, a main rudder, and a pair of flanking rudders. The planing hull has port and starboard sides, a transom, a hull bottom, and a centerline running down the middle of the boat, halfway between the port and starboard sides. The propeller is positioned forward of the transom and beneath the hull bottom. The main rudder is positioned aft of the propeller. The main rudder has a rotation axis about which the main rudder rotates. The flanking rudders are positioned forward of the propeller. One of the flanking rudders is positioned on the port side of the centerline, and the other flanking rudder is positioned on the starboard side of the centerline.

A remotely-controlled observation vehicle for observing swimmers is disclosed. The vehicle is designed to float and move on the water, and includes a hull, which is typically sealed. An above-water camera mount is attached to the hull and extends upwardly from it. The above-water camera mount carries one or more cameras. A below-water camera mount is attached to the hull and extends downwardly from it. The below-water camera mount also carries one or more cameras. A first propulsion system is adapted to drive the vehicle through water, and a first steering system is associated with the first propulsion system. The observation vehicle also includes communication and control systems. The vehicle may be fore-aft symmetrical, with a propulsion system and a steering system disposed proximate to each end of the hull. Also disclosed is a system including a vehicle with an associated controller and a data review station.

A boat includes a planing hull, a propeller, a main rudder, and a pair of flanking rudders. The planing hull has port and starboard sides, a transom, a hull bottom, and a centerline running down the middle of the boat, halfway between the port and starboard sides. The propeller is positioned forward of the transom and beneath the hull bottom. The main rudder is positioned aft of the propeller. The main rudder has a rotation axis about which the main rudder rotates. The flanking rudders are positioned forward of the propeller. One of the flanking rudders is positioned on the port side of the centerline, and the other flanking rudder is positioned on the starboard side of the centerline.

An integrated tow system may include one or more unmanned towboat modules that may be used to improve maneuvering of tows on an inland waterway, such as a river. To reduce environmental stresses on operators, a command module that includes control and communications equipment for controlling operation of the unmanned towboat modules may provide living quarters for the operators, but not include a propulsion system for maneuvering a tow. The control and communication equipment may monitor for rotation commands by an operator that exceed rotational capabilities of the unmanned towboat modules, and provide for non-linear controls that include changing position of a rotational point that is centrally located longitudinally along the tow so as to provide for 1:1 rotational control of the tow by a tow drive system (e.g., bow and stern unmanned towboat modules). River tracking and river parking features may be supported by the control and communications equipment.

A remotely-controlled observation vehicle for observing swimmers is disclosed. The vehicle is designed to float and move on the water, and includes a hull, which is typically sealed. An above-water camera mount is attached to the hull and extends upwardly from it. The above-water camera mount carries one or more cameras. A below-water camera mount is attached to the hull and extends downwardly from it. The below-water camera mount also carries one or more cameras. A first propulsion system is adapted to drive the vehicle through water, and a first steering system is associated with the first propulsion system. The observation vehicle also includes communication and control systems. The vehicle may be fore-aft symmetrical, with a propulsion system and a steering system disposed proximate to each end of the hull. Also disclosed is a system including a vehicle with an associated controller and a data review station.