Step Hull Questions

[marshmaster pat]

Ok - For all you Florida boaters, what does the bottom of a step hull look like?

Lots of pictures show the sides, but I would like to see a photo of the bottom, is there a step that the hull planes up on.

If someone has a photo that shows the bottom, could you post one and let me know. Just curious.

I am assuming that the hull climbs up onto a slightly smaller portion of the hull to the center and back of the boat? and therefore runs alittle faster. Sort of like a bass boat hull. Faster you go, the more of the hull climbs out of the water? Some of these speeds ya'll post from GPS are wild, but with the same powerplant and prop, I could have never gotten near those.

 

[COLD]

I read some stuff on boatdesign.net where you want center of ballance at speed to be about 1/3 from the back. Guys playing with multiple steps and other interesting things but you achive that point at a lower speed with a step. depth of step would depend on length of boat because some of the stuff these guys were talking about were 50 footers! reduces drag enableing higher speeds. Just repeating what I read!

 

[Larry]

Step hulls are basically flat across the bottoms, mine actually has a little crown in the step and the back of the hull. The advantage of the step is to get an air pocket under the hull for reduced drag. The position of the step plays a big role on how the boat rides. These hulls don't turn, they slide sidways and you need to use the throttle to steer them. Definatly not a beginner boat. I have seen 4 cylinder lycomings run 75+ on step hulls, I can't wait to get mine on the water.

Larry

 

[jim]

check this out:

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1000&highlight=step+hull

jim

 

[COLD]

That looks like a nice Sunday drive, I would pick the supercharged one of course!

 

[jim]

Pat,

I guess you are not going to get a picture of the bottom. The ones I have seen, the step went all the way across in a straight line. So, the side view is what it looks like all the way across. Some have deadrise in them.

A pad could be added down the center. I actually have some plans here of a replica outboard step hull where a pad was added. I have not seen one of those. A three point hydro is sort of like that.

jim