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 Flying
Blind by
Dusty Miller
I have been testing boats for
many years and have been boating all of my life, so I can tell you
that all boats are different. They all act and react differently
in confined waters as well as in open waters. This fact becomes
particularly important when you are considering purchasing a new
boat.
My advice - look carefully at the market place.
Don't be quickly distracted by the beautiful styles and the aesthetically
pleasing interiors for they are designed specifically to look comfortable
and to have a dockside appeal. The hull, on the other hand, may
not look all that interesting, but it's one feature that should
definitely not be ignored. In truth, a little knowledge of hull
designs can go a long way.
Each hull has a unique attitude that manifests
itself in its maneuverability and its performance. Hulls in some
ways can be compared to horses. Some are swayback, moving slowly
through the water and relatively easy to control, while others are
like stallions, quick to rear up and difficult to handle.
So how do you find the one that is right for you?
The trick is to know what your needs are and to match that with
your comfort level. Unfortunately, many boat owners have purchased
the wrong horse and spend the summer trying to break it in.
The moment the winds get up, the boat is spooked
and there is very little control. So, do yourself a favor and spend
that little extra time to test ride a few vessels before signing
on the dotted line.
Knowledge of some basic terminology will come
in handy before the hunt begins. It is important to know that:
a) the attitude of the hull is determined by the chines and depth
of the keel;
b) the deadrise is the degree of the V measured at the transom (this
gives you stability in heavy water as well as a softer ride);
c) tracking is the boat's ability to maintain a straight course.
For the best handling, it is important to balance
the depth of the V of the keel and the chines, which give the vessel
its riding and cornering ability. If the chines are too far forward,
the vessel will have stability but at the expense of a much harder
ride. It's also important to know the four basic hull designs each
of which host a number of variables:
Full displacement hull
The main characteristics of this type of hull are that it is forward
moving but tracks well and it usually has a larger keel section
on the bottom of the boat running the full length of the hull. This
type of hull is usually found in a trawler design and suits the
temperament of the easygoing skipper. The hull displaces water as
it moves through it and is usually designed for economic long distance
running. This hull handles well in rough seas and also in confined
quarters because it is slow moving and is minimally affected by
the winds. Thus, the skipper is allowed more control.
Semi-displacement hull
In this type of hull, the depth of the keel and hard chines contribute
to making this hull work exceptionally well in rough water, offering
a tremendous amount of stability. This is due to the hull's deep
entry from the stern progressing far forward to the bow. This hull
design is generally used in motor yachts and some trawlers.
Planing hull
These hulls are basically designed for speed. They possess an uncanny
ability to get on top of the water because of their flat wet surfaces.
But beware, in heavy water, prepare yourself for a rough ride since
this hull has a tendency of landing hard on its flat bottom. Moreover,
in confined quarters, there is very little to slow the swings so
get used to the movement.
Deep-V hull
This hull was designed originally for offshore racing because of
its stability caused by the deep V in the stern. This design feature
slows the entry when hitting waves and, because the V is carried
quite far forward, it provides good tracking in confined quarters.
So given a little information, you should be able
to choose a vessel that will suit your particular application. Styles
of boats vary as much as the characteristics of their owners. I
am always interested to hear what problems other boaters might have
come across when handling their boat. If you have any questions
that you feel might interest the other readers, please write me
at Power Boating Canada magazine and I'll try to answer your specific
question.
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