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20
Years of Boat Design (20-2) by Bill Jennings
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In
the last 20 years recreational boat builders have made
giant leaps in design, performance and comfort. Bill
Jennings reports on how technology has changed the shape
of boating.
Flip through
the first issue Power Boating Canada magazine and you
can’t help but feel amazed at how boats have changed
since then. New materials and advanced construction
techniques give today’s marine architects a free
hand to attempt designs that would have been unthinkable
two decades ago. It’s great news for boaters like
you and I.
It used to be that a small pleasure boat was considered
a success if it transported a few passengers to their
destination safely and comfortably. But as the number
of people going to cottages increased and boaters became
more sophisticated, a need developed to design more
specialized boats.
One characteristic that has dramatically changed in
the runabout market is the overall styling. Borrowed
from the automotive industry, designs have evolved into
rounded, smooth, profiles with sleek windshields - a
far cry from the hard lines and 65-degree-angled PlexiGlass
windshields of models from the mid-1980s. Swim platforms
are integrated and extended to provide more space to
sunbathe or prepare for tubing or skiing. Most come
with storage compartments and stainless steel recessed
ladders.
Simple runabouts morphed into specialized second-generation
designs such as bowriders and multi-purpose deck boats.
Freeboards are now deeper offering added security in
rough water and seating layouts are spacious, plush,
and nearly as comfortable as living room couches. The
seating arrangements can seat many more passengers and
easily transform into sleeper seats or sunpads in a
matter of seconds. Gone are the models with just a simple
aft bench and two small seats forward.
The open bow concept has changed significantly. Plush
U-shaped benches with storage underneath, an anchor
locker, several cup holders and surrounding stainless
steel bow rails are now the norm. You also sit in the
bow rather than on it. Many boats today are offered
in fish n’ ski designs, offering more versatile
boating than ever before.
It’s also worth noting manufacturers have developed
crossover designs between cuddies and deck boats, which
range anywhere from 25 to more than 30 feet. Some examples
would be the current offerings from Monterey, Larson,
or Regal, to name just a few. All feature expansive
cockpits, ample seating space and refreshment centres
complete with a sink, cooler storage, running water
and trash receptacles. Models with a cuddy are even
more impressive and comparable to designs found on mid-cabin
cruisers.
While fishing is still as popular as ever, several boat
builders have introduced new concepts to make the sport
even more convenient and comfortable. Perhaps one of
the most significant styles are walleye or multi-species
models, which rank among the top sellers. Convertible
casting platforms, carpeted cockpits, kicker and trolling
motor mounts and at least two live wells are just a
few of the items available. GPS/fishfinders are also
commonly found on the standard’s list. However,
these aluminum fishing boats are no longer just for
anglers. With more seating space and power ratings exceeding
175 horses, they easily can pull double duty as a towboat
for tubers or skiers and a family cottage boats.
When it comes to luxury cruising, the traditional yacht
now offers a wide array of choices ranging from motoryachts
and sport cruisers to sportfishermen and luxury sedan
bridge models designed for offshore cruising and fishing.
The options are nearly endless. Pontoon boats, too,
have become far more luxurious with ABS fibreglass helm
consoles, top of the line upholstery, stand-up showers/change
rooms and even a second tier designed as a sun deck.
Just a few years ago, the industry saw the addition
of a third sponson for added stability and enhanced
running characteristics. (Page
Top)
Offshore boats now come in significantly expanded size
offerings, the longest being suited for ocean cruising
at high speeds. Even the range of inflatable boat offerings
has increased with fiberglass V-bottom hulls. Each of
these developed styles serve a different purpose, and
are designed to operate on different bodies of water.
Boaters no longer have to make do with a compromise
– they can select a boat built for their unique
needs and demands.
Hull Design
With more people boating and more competition within
the marine industry, manufacturers began to listen to
their customers and responded with much improved designs.
This recent evolution of technical designs for specific
boat types is one of the most important factors in boat
design over the past 20 years.
While the total number of boat design developments is
far too great to list here, a good example can be seen
in the water ski boat. I’m sure you can recall
the days when towing behind an outboard-powered runabout
was the norm. Then came boats built primarily for skiing.
Recently, design improvements to these boats such as
weight distribution changes, thrust changes and bottom
changes have made them increasingly more suited to the
task of pulling a water skier. Today, we have the ultimate
ski and wakeboard boats, with custom towers, rear facing
spotter seat, special rearview mirrors and ballast tanks
that can be adjusted on the go to match an individual
skier or wake boarder’s personal preference.
Boat builders today better address the important role
hydrodynamics plays in boat design. Extensive water
tank and practical testing has resulted in changes to
the size and placement of strakes, for example. Changes
to pads and reverse chines have paved the way to smoother
riding boats. Many performance hulls utilize steps,
or separate planes in the bottom of the hull, to introduce
air and break drag, thereby reducing the hull area that
is in contact with the water.
We have seen technical items, borrowed from the shipbuilding
industry, being added to small yachts and trawlers.
These include bow thrusters for easier docking, and
bulbous bows for improved ride and fuel efficiency.
Just 20 years ago, almost all yachts were fitted with
three-blade propellers, but today four-blade props have
become the norm and many boast five or even six blades.
Of course a whole new range of electronic devices, such
as global positioning systems, allow us to travel longer
distances with greater safety and confidence.
One boat design that has evolved from relative obscurity
to the forefront of rough water and high-speed navigation
is the twin hull. The first of these relatively new
designs is the catamaran. With two narrow but almost
identical hulls, cats are now offered in lengths from
16 to more than 60 feet. The improvement in stability
and softness of ride in rough seas that this design
delivers just has to be experienced to be believed.
I have driven such a cat under 30 feet in length from
Vancouver to Alaska in total comfort.
Tunnel hull boats are similar. Designers of high speed
boats for racing discovered that by combining aerodynamics
with hydrodynamics, they could build a boat that operates
much like a surface effect aircraft. These boats also
have two hulls, but the inside is squared off as opposed
to being symmetrical, and their deck surface works like
the upper half of an aircraft wing. In order to achieve
their speed potential, they require high horsepower
to push them up on the column of air that they trap.
I have driven some of these designs to speeds in excess
of 170 mph.
Throughout the industry, boat building and manufacturing
associations have established new and improved standards
to ensure that today’s buyer is getting a safer
and higher quality boat than was possible decades years
ago.
(Page Top)
The Net Result
Over the past 20 years boats have become stronger
and safer. They are capable of performing a wider
variety of tasks well, and can safely travel to more
places than before. They’re faster too –
both race boats and pleasure craft now routinely travel
at speeds never thought possible. And the ride is
more comfortable, too.
Perhaps most importantly, we see an all-time high
in terms of reliability in boats that meet our personal
needs and our budgets. In 2005, we have come to expect
the same sort of performance from the family boat
as we do from our automobile. Two decades of advances
in design and materials have changed things dramatically.
It makes one wonder just what the builders can improve
next?
 Runabouts
of the late 1980s, such as Thundercraft’s impressive
Nova 162 have morphed into second-generation designs,
including Glastron’s MX 175 bow rider and Four
Winns’ 234 Funship deckboat. You’ll notice
cockpits are deeper, sunpads are wider, while swim
platforms are larger and extend out of over the drive.
Most platforms today are also integrated in to the
hull.
 Mid-cabin
cruisers, which are still one of the most popular
styles in the industry, are significantly different
than yesteryear’s models. Check out the interior
of Bayliner’s 1988 2950 Avanti Sunbridge over
its popular 2005 305. Notice the plush furniture,
increased counter space and more functional layout
of the latest cruiser?
 The
traditional yacht now gives you a choice of sleeker
motoryachts or holiday/weekend sport cruisers. Designers
have made more use of interior and cockpit space providing
added functionality and convenience. Seen here is
the Cruisers 36 introduced in the early 1990s, and
its recent 370 Express. The 36 has an LOA of 39 feet,
five inches, (w/ pulpit and platform) and a beam of
13 feet. The 370 has an LOA of just five inches longer
with an LOA of 40 feet, two inches, and the same beam
of 13 feet. Notice the difference? Lines are also
smoother, the stern is more rounded and the cockpit
offers additional space.
 While
small fishing boats are more popular than ever, manufacturers
have increased storage space so you can bring all
your gear and more. A perfect example of this is found
on Smokercraft’s 2005 192 Yukon. Convertible
casting deck systems have also been introduced in
the last few years.
...
Designers of high-speed boats for racing discovered
that by combining aerodynamics with hydrodynamics
they could build a boat that operates much like a
surface effect aircraft. Shown here is Eliminator’s
super-fast cat, the 36 Daytona.
Many performance boats and even recreational boats
utilize steps, or separate planes in the bottom of
the hull, to introduce air and break drag, thereby
reducing the hull area that is in friction with the
water. Inset, here’s Formula’s tried-and-true
Fas3Tech hull.
...
 Who
could forget the PWC craze in the 1980s? While technology
from Yamaha and Sea-Doo have changed in more ways
than one can imagine, they still provide wet and wild
excitement. Sea-Doo’s jet boat series has also
taken off in popularity with more, space, power and
comfort. (Page Top)
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