Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats

Dedicated for Offshore Boats

by David Pascoe

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Chapter 2

Boat Types & Hull Design Basics



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Excerpt

In order to get the maximum enjoyment and usage from a boat, it is very important to match boat types with the kind of weather and water conditions that prevail in the area you intend to do your boating.

It doesn't make much sense to choose a relatively flat bottomed bow rider for use on the Great Lakes or an ocean. For large bodies of water without protected bays, the ability to handle rougher water with safety and greater comfort is all-important.

Naturally, the size of a boat also plays an important role in how well a boat can handle sea conditions.

The rule of thumb that bigger is better is no myth. Not only size, but weight, as we will discuss in a later chapter, has a lot to do with who wins the battle of the waves. The boat or the waves? Bigger and heavier almost always wins that battle.

The great increase in inland boating has resulted in the creation of an entirely different class of boat which is rarely faced with big seas but, unfortunately, many of these boats are marketed in places they probably shouldn't be. Therefore, the first time boat buyer needs to be aware of what boat styles are best suited for varying areas of operation.

Saltwater Boats

While attending the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show someone asked me what is the difference between a "saltwater" boat and one that wasn't so designated.

Indeed, there are some builders who make this reference but, for the most part it usually means lake type boats as opposed to ocean type boats. In other words, boats that are specifically designed for shallow, calm waters as opposed to those that aren't.

Many years ago there were inland based companies that built boats that were used predominately only in fresh water, and that lacked the high quality materials needed to endure saltwater use.

These days the majority of builders build for saltwater use, although I have seen some obvious exceptions in the bass and pontoon boat categories. But, when it comes to distinctions in rough water performance, the products of some builders are clearly more suited for protected waters over open water, i.e., large lakes or oceans.


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Table of Contents: Chapter 2


Saltwater Boats
Center Consoles
Walkarounds
Runabouts
Offshore Types
Bow Riders
Catamarans
Pocket Cruisers
Cruisers
Pontoon and Deck Boats
The Importance of Hull Form
Offshore Mono Hull Shapes
Bow Flare and Sheer Lines
Bottom Shape
Chine Flats
Keel Boats
Stability
Trim
Beam
Freeboard
Wet Boat, Dry Boat
The Fuel Efficiency Issue
Acceleration
What Is cavitation?
Torque and Transverse Trim
Flop-Overs

Copyright© 2004 David H. Pascoe
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Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats
- Selecting and Evaluating New and Used Boats

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Soft Cover
272 pages
Publisher: D. H. Pascoe & Co., Inc.
Published: 2002
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0965649628
ISBN-13: 9780965649629

Price: $19.50
In Stock


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David Pascoe - Biography

David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.

Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure analysis.

Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the author of:

In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from over 70 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.

In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.

On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71.

Biography - Long version


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