Boat Ride & Handling

[Cladone]

Hi guys, just wondering how, if possible to get a gauge for how a boat might handle based on given specs in trying to narrow a boat search. 

For instance people often say fibreglass ride better and more comfy, typically due to increased weight, hull shape being able to be moulded more, material re acoustics against water etc. 

However if you see a plate boat say 7m length, weight of about 1200kgs (boat only) beam of 2.5 and then a fibreglass boat say the same dimensions but boat only weight at 900kgs or thereabouts, could it be the plate might ride better or be less susceptible to wind and chop or be more stable or not necessarily ? 

Trying to understand the relationship between these things generally speaking in assessing boats prior to water tests or there is no given rules of thumb in this context? Could just be an entirely ignorant question too not sure 

[noelm]

It's all a compromise, a skinny, very deep V will ride great, (regardless of what it's made out of) but will tend to be unstable at rest, a wide, flat bottomed boat will be stable, but will shorten your spine in any chop, so, compromises are made, moderate V, moderate beam, flooding ballast keels, all sorts of stuff, so, unless you go to a cat, that is stable and rides great (but has some negatives too) you have to choose your most desired trait.

[dunc333]

interesting cladone have you seen a plate boat  1/4 times as heavy than a fiberglass boat if so i would like to see the makes  of the hulls please cheers dunc333

[kingie chaser]

On 8/28/2020 at 2:28 PM, Cladone said:

Hi guys, just wondering how, if possible to get a gauge for how a boat might handle based on given specs in trying to narrow a boat search. 

Go on as many as you can to get a 1st hand feel for them & how they act in different conditions.

Also in most cases the boat performance can be altered/improved by installing trim tabs.

[noelm]

One thing to remember, lots of brands have a great name, but in reality, they are not all they are hyped up to be, as mentioned, try before you buy, if going second hand, it's pretty easy to do.

[kingie chaser]

Also to add, as noelm has mentioned hull design is directly associated to how a boat handles various conditions so you need to look at what it is you want the boat to be good at, speed over high seas performance? high seas performance over speed?

There are plent of online articles that can steer you in the right direction-

https://www.boatsales.com.au/editorial/details/trailerboating-choosing-a-vee-hull-115148/

https://www.boats.com/boat-buyers-guide/boat-hull-shapes-designs-options/

https://www.boatsafe.com/types-boat-hulls/

 

[Cladone]

Thank you all for the replies, i will check some of those articles too, cheers.  Also, dunc333, that was my error, regarding weight, the boats were essentially on par with weight, but was more trying to understand general relationship.

Thank you noelm for that succinct assessment, it has clarified much, but as you all say, need to get on the water with a few.