Can you tell me more about the stepped hull?
- Stepped Hull- The smaller the boat you run the more you will feel the chop on the water that day. Running a 36' center console in 1 foot chop is just different than running a 16'-19' footer. What we have done to increase the comfort level on smaller boats is incorporate a stepped hull. Stepped hulls have been around for a long time but are more commonly used on racing boats because of the increase top speed. The advantages on a smaller boat are:
- The steps in the hull break up the wetted surface on the boat. They actually create air bubbles that run along the bottom of the hull. This will let your boat "glide" through the water marginally easier. Better fuel efficiency and higher top end speed. The real advantage on smaller boats is the increased fuel efficiency.
- Most smaller boats have large flat sections on the bottom of the hull. In chop a jolting ride is increased with these plywood flat sections because the force of the water can only be displaced into the hull. The water has the ability to create a larger "slap". With the steps built into the hull the "flat" areas of the boat are smaller and the angles on the bottom of the hull from the steps allow more deflection.
I have a young child. Can you tell me the height from the deck to the top of the rail or gunnel?
- The height from the deck of the boat to the top of the gunnel or rail is 19.5' at the lowest point and 21' throughout most of the rest of the boat.
How far can you go on one tank of gas?
- Always a difficult questions because it depends on many variables. How many people you have on board, how fast you are driving, what the wind and waves are doing at the time etc... When we drove a Nantucket Skiff from Nantucket, MA back to Marshfield, MA we burnt 16 gallons. There was one person on board, 220lbs of extra gear and 1-2 foot chop during the duration of the trip. The average speed was 19 knots. The total length of that trip was 70 nautical miles. This was tracked on a GPS.
When I look at the pictures of the boat I do not see a fuel water seperator?
- We do have one but it has been slightly hidden for aesthetics. You can access it via a deck plate near the motor well. The area inside the hull is fully vented. Just as importantly the deck plate is large enough to comfortably access it!!
How is the bottom of the hull built?
- The bottom of the hull is built of pure fiberglass. We build our boats like this because the bottom of your hull takes the most stress. Also with our built in steps it is necessary.
How are the sides of the hull and decks built?
- The sides of the hull and deck is built with a PVC foam core. This is used in order to reduce weight but maintain strength.