Fixing a wet ride

[H20fwler]

Here are some photos of what the builder did on a later version of my hull. I have been told that the ride in this boat is dry.

the reverse keel is 4" which seems like a lot. Keep in mind this is a 19' boat.





I wonder if something in the 2" range but angled out would work. I'm thinking some 2" 90degree stock welded to the bottom edge.

I'm just guessing, what do you think?

[Mr Efficiency]

Does your boat broach ? That appendage on the other boat looks like it was an anti-broach after-thought.

[H20fwler]

I'm think it was a anti-spray attempt. The boat is stable.

[Mr Efficiency]

Originally Posted by H20fwler

I'm think it was a anti-spray attempt. The boat is stable.

I'd seriously doubt that would qualify as a spray damper, it has turned the thing into a gull-wing almost ! There would be considerable difference in the turning behaviour of that boat with those appendages fitted vs not fitted.

[Submarine Tom]

Maybe you should find out why it was done.

-Tom

[H20fwler]

Originally Posted by Submarine Tom

Maybe you should find out why it was done.

-Tom

I think it was an attempt to copy a Reverse Tunnel Chine from a different brand (fiberglass) in an aluminum boat. The other builders comment on the Reverse Tunnel Chine - "hull design that turns spray down keeping you dry, even in the worst of conditions"

This is the design that I think was being copied:


this is the more finished looking version:


This is the current version as far as I can tell:

[H20fwler]

Are there any other companies that make a product like SMART-RAIL? SMART-RAIL Model M-2000 seems to be the answer to my wet ride issue but at $600 a set they are out of my budget.

I did google searches and am comming up with nothing.

[Easy Rider]

I have often thought spray rails tend to (somewhat) control spray but more than that they MAKE spray. In this case it's mostly the chine that is making the spray. But control I think is the key here. Better to slow the water down than deflect it. You could add 2 or 3 "rails" on the bottom just inbd of the chine that would be 1/3 of a round or so. Visualize a dowel ripped in thirds. You use the outbd 2 pieces. This adds a bit of wetted surface but it should dramatically reduce the velocity of the water outbd. Spray is the result of high velocity water entering open air and becoming spray or fine spray. The finer the spray the easier the wind will be able to blow same on or over a boat. Heavy water rolling out from under a boat in the form of slop has a hard time getting up on the boat. And if if my "third round" rails succeed in slowing the water down perhaps spray rails can finnish the job. The only real cure for spray is slow speed.

[H20fwler]

Thanks for the idea. I will look at doing that as well.

My big issue right now is finding someone to do the welding/fabracation. It is not a big enough job for the "welding shops" to be interested and I'm having a hard time finding an indiviual.