Larson Million Bubble ride from 60's

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by DFAIRCLOTH, Mar 9, 2014.

  1. DFAIRCLOTH
    Joined: Aug 2013
    Posts: 3
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: S Carolina

    DFAIRCLOTH New Member

    Anybody familiar with these hulls and how they perform? I have a 1960 Larson Sea Lion 178 which is a cool looking and well built retro hull. One performance report has a 1961 merc 80 pushing it about 36 mph. Since that is probably about 65-70 hp today that seems pretty good and fully loaded it ran about 32.

    Any info would be helpful
     
  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Mercury was notorious for underrating the power. 80 might have been 85 HP. Power in 1961 and 2014 is the same.
     
  3. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Everyone under rated their outboards, for racing class advantages in the 50's and 60's, SAE standards in the late 70's fixed this issue.
     
  4. DFAIRCLOTH
    Joined: Aug 2013
    Posts: 3
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: S Carolina

    DFAIRCLOTH New Member

    I was looking more for comments on the hull as is was supposedly famous according to old Larson literature.

    Thanks
     
  5. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Welcome to the forum.

    Nothing "famous" about those hulls, though the marketing team would be pleased you're still buying into their hype. A pretty conventional, pre 63 series, warped bottom hull form.
     
  6. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    Where are the million bubbles ?
     
  7. DFAIRCLOTH
    Joined: Aug 2013
    Posts: 3
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: S Carolina

    DFAIRCLOTH New Member

    Supossedly the lapstrake hull design created the bubbles and the adds had underwater pictures showing the bubbles flowing under the hull.....Either way it is a cool old boat :)
     
  8. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    I suppose the same could be said for the myriad swaged aluminium boats on the market. I doubt it increases hull speed, what with all the extra surface area created, even if the bubbles "lubricate" the bottom a little.
     

  9. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    The bubbles actually slow the boat down, not speed it up and all lapstrakes make bubbles. On a technical level, the bubbles decrease the water density locally, which causes the boat to settle a bit, which requires more power to over come. Good marketing hype, that stands the test of time . . .
     
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.