Bow Preference, Skinny or wide?

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Width is still 8', 7'6" at the bottom and 8' at the gunnel's for the back 10' of the boat. Should not lose out on stability by narrowing the bow. I just figured it would have more boat like turning characteristics with a narrow bow than a rectangular boat. Also thought it might make it easier to control in cross currents? Actually all my boats have been hard chine except for a 12' car top with 9.9 Evenrude when I was a young kid and you couldn't slide that boat, I can slide my others! I guess the only consideration is how it acts in ice? I have read about railroad tracking, was wondering if enough power would overcome that? Could soften the edge with another say 20-30 degree halfway between the 5' section and side? 5' is the widest sheet I have been able to find so this is going to be welded.


JD

Engine and drive setup plays a big part in proper hull design.

What is the point you are trying to make? Expound please!

Thanks goldhunter! Probably leave the keel cooler for later, would be easy to do the way I'm going to build this but if I keep adding nifty features I'll never get done. Is that aluminum angle you are using for stringers?

 

[goldhunter_2]

that one is actual flat bar on that stiff alum for a lower floor level, some boats I use it upright and others I run T bar all aluminum of course . i never use angle in the bottom , I do use it some times for the gunnel's if I don't need it as fancy

I have read about railroad tracking, was wondering if enough power would overcome that?

no but it will flip you :roll: once that hard edge grabs the ice your commentted to going commented and with the high CG of a airboat well you get the idea

Could soften the edge with another say 20-30 degree halfway between the 5' section and side?

Putting the angle in that section of the hull will not soften your sides it will make the boat handle better in the water and turn much better with less slide but be a little rocky on dry ground . you need to place your angles towards the outside to roll the metal and give that soft chine without loss of the flat bottom the airboat uses. this will also strength the hull up tremendously

5' is the widest sheet I have been able to find so this is going to be welded.

8'x20' or 8'x24' depending on the thickness you want ADI stopped carrying the 1/8 " stuff about 6 months ago in the big sheets but have 3/16" but you can still get them for New Orleans LA 800-535-9156 and adi web site is http://www.adimetal.com and has all there contact info. It is my opinion that you can weld up the sheets for the sides or extra length and I have done it that way before but you get a much better hull with a single sheet bottom and sides

 

[COLD]

Thanks goldhunter, More to check out I guess! 8)

Back to the Drawing Board! :lol:

 

[COLD]

Thanks goldhunter! I checked out today as far having a fab company brake the sheets and 8 brakes and 1 shear is less than $200.00. Worth it just for the welding savings over my previous idea. I suppose the brake near the gunnel just makes the hull stronger again? Thanks again, I'll do some more calculations as to positioning the brakes, How high of sides would you go on a deepwater deckover? :lol:

 

[COLD]

If I do 5' sheets I can go 8 wide and about 14" deep deckover. Deep enoughh? ^" 6' sheets would be too high. Large scale Waterthundr hull but round chines. In the forward area I wouldn't mind doing a landing ramp for Quads and higher light weight splashrails.