Boat locking apparatus

A boat locking apparatus for a boat having a centerboard slot which has a predetermined width and a predetermined height, comprising:

• a lock-retaining assembly which includes a first end portion adapted for connecting with a flexible connector, which includes a mid-portion extending distally from said first end portion, and which includes a second end portion connected to said mid-portion, wherein a predetermined distance including said first end portion, said mid-portion, and said second end portion of said lock-retaining assembly is greater than the predetermined height of the centerboard slot, and wherein said lock-retaining assembly has a width which is less than the width of the centerboard slot, and
• a transverse lock assembly connected to said second end portion of said lock-retaining assembly, said transverse lock assembly capable of being oriented in two selectable orientations, a non-locking orientation in which said transverse lock assembly is oriented such that said transverse lock assembly can be contained within the predetermined width of the centerboard slot and a locking orientation in which said transverse lock assembly cannot be contained with the predetermined width of the centerboard slot;
• wherein said transverse lock assembly includes a pair of selectable extensible/retractable members capable of being oriented in two selectable orientations, a non-locking, retracted orientation in which said extensible/retractable members are oriented along a longitudinal axis extending along said lock-retaining assembly such that said extensible/retractable members extend transversely by a distance less than the width of the centerboard slot and a locking, extended orientation in which said extensible/retractable members are oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis and extend transversely by a distance greater than the width of the centerboard slot, and
• wherein said transverse lock assembly includes:
• an axle connected to said second end portion of said lock-retaining assembly,
• extensible/retractable members connected to said axle, such that said extensible/retractable members are capable of rotating around said axle in moving from a retracted orientation to an extended orientation and vice versa, and
• a ballast assembly connected to one of said extensible/retractable members for urging said extensible/retractable members from the retracted orientation to the extended orientation and for urging said extensible/retractable members from the extended orientation to the retracted orientation.