Designing hulls for a pontoon style boat

[iparks01]

We are designing a 2 hull pontoon style boat and i was just wondering if we make the bottom of the hull step up like the the hull of a racing boat. will this help efficency with only a five HP evenrude. This is a project for school.

[intrepid71]

With only 5 Hp, I would not recommend a step. For a high speed boat, a step can reduce wetted surface and increase speed. For a low speed boat, it acts as a discontinuity that will create turbulence and drag and actually slow you down. In addition, a step will be harder to build.

[iparks01]

Thank you that is what I was thinking I just wasnt sure when the step would actualy take effect. I figured it wouldnt untill greater speed was attained. I wish I knew when the step would take effect or I should say at what speed. We are building a 1 inch = 2 feet scale model of this recreation style boat for my design theory 2 class at spencerian college. Thank you for your insight. Ian Parks