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Bow Preference, Skinny or wide?

COLD

Well-known member
Bow Preference, Skinny or wide? One more day of work this week and I think I am finally going to get started on the hull, renovations for my wife turned out great! I was figuring on having a 18x8 with a 5' wide bow but same width all the way to the front would be easier. Will run the boat in a river mostly and might even see some white water so I was just trying to finalize my thoughts. I figured the narrow front end might be better in cross currents etc but never had a rectangular boat so don't really know. What's your thoughts!
 
COLD ! I GOT A OLD KENNEDY HULL WHICH IS NARROW AT THE FRONT ! DEEP WATER AND SKINNY SEEMS TO BE GREAT ! AND FRONT BOTTOM TAPERS ALMOST TO THE MIDDLE ! IT RUNS THE BLACK STUFF GREAT ! I CAN STOP IN IT! STILL GET GOING PRETTY EASY !TURN GOOD
 
I'm thinking it will allow me to run a longer hull that acts more like a 15'. Like I say I have current and deep water to deal with. Stern part of hull Decked for sure at least till the front passenger seats.I got my mig running perfect last night, built new rectifier and my new secret weapon. Would prefer a new Miller but the beads I pulled last night are better than my Miller 250 at work today!! :lol:
 
Scotty? did you ever run your hulls in a river? and river guys! What do you have and what do you like? :? This thing is going to be built out of steel (AKA oyster boat) so just want to hear all the input before I weld it up! :lol: No HDPE, just steel flex, epoxy /graphite, whatever? :lol: The jet boat guys run 3/16" to 1/4" aluminum bottoms and there is probably more guys running steel on there hulls than poly. 8) I thought if that's the case, I'll just build the whole boat out of it!! (composite deck) :lol:
 
Cold, just thinkin out loud again ...... you've seen the wallpaper on here of Bigkavr's boat, and the place he had it.
Just me, but I'd try to follow that one as close as you can.
 
It looks to me that his narrows somewhat at the bow, Yeah I have that shot for my wall paper. It's just that I can get 5' wide sheets so somewhere a bit over 5 wide at the bow would be pretty easy also. I want at least the back half of the boat decked over or full deck-over, was really leaning full deck over. Deck would be composite because of all the free glass I have here. :?
 
cold,

I'm like Olf on this one...Get Brian's opinion as well as Snipers and maybe Alaska tours on that type of hull in fast waters.

Five foot seems kinda skinny to me, like maybe not enough bouyancy for what you need?

Basketcase
 
The narrow bow will give you better results but has no effect on the water line (making it act like a shorter hull) for this you need to change the rake of the bow
 
Mock-up of what I was thinking!
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well I like the landing platform and the VW :lol: :lol:


I am not personally very fund of the hard chines I think a more round chine side would be better especially up north with the ice
 
How about adding another piece at 45?

That would be easiest however I was just thinking the A/C guys at work got a new slip roll. Just becomes a problem at the curving stuff. :?
 
cold ,
try a little round in the bottom edge it will keep you form hanging up on stuff that the square chines do . Here is a picture for ideas that pretty easy to do and will add more strength then if you just wrap/roll the sheet around

mudboatrearveiwkeelcoolers.jpg


here is the rounded edge of a stossell style hull witch is just wrapped/rolled around
stosselrear1.jpg
 
Just caught this thread about narrow or wide bow. I really like the narrow bow boats. The one we made and sold in the 70's was a narrow bow boat and it proved to be just the ticket for a boat you frog, chase deer, dogs and women folk from. For night running it reflects less light and theres more open area to see whats going under you.

Check it:

2-_Patch_in_runners_deck_transom.jpg


No my boat isnt back in the water yet. I have the seat package mounted, and have begun the cage & Mufflers. Insturment panel is ready to mount. Its progressing, I just dont to get to work on it every day or for very long it seems.

Next time I do a boat like this I will definately do it here at my house. Convenience goes a LONG ways these days.

Scotty
 
the top picture the sides and bottom are all one piece of aluminum just with bends , the transom is welded in and the parts on the bottom are keel coolers that replace a radiator and still keep it a closed fresh water system ........... they would probably work good as ice skates too :lol:

that welded hull is stronger and lighter then the riveted (black) one below
 
yes there is a tube on each at the front and back that comes through the hull, the front has a cross over the back hooks to the engine I'll try to find you some pictures later tonight
 
cold,
this is the only picture I could find sorry. this is the rear the front under the casting deck is about the same exact there 90 degree with a cross over tube

keelcoolersreartubes.jpg
 
Skinny or wide? I would compare that to what your preference is when choosing dance partners! :D Seriously, it depends on what kind of running you plan on doing as wider disperses lbs per square inch better when considering ground pressure for dry running but there is a point when too much results in less than desirable performance. I personally like a wider hull for stability, but that's just my opinion. Engine and drive setup plays a big part in proper hull design.
 
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