Re-designed Hickman Seasled, video.

[wojtek86]

We have been working on this boat for a few years now. The hull design is almost identical to the Hickman Seasled, The boat is 23 feet long and has a 135hp motor on it in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdZaXvEwCOY

[messabout]

It appears to make little wake. It porpoises, maybe fiddle with the lower unit trim? The video does not reveal much about the boat except that it is a boat. Show us more details please.

[PAR]

I have a fair bit of understanding about the "sleds" have you addressed the know issues? Have you looked into Bill Jackson's work on the sled?

[Mr Efficiency]

Originally Posted by PAR

I have a fair bit of understanding about the "sleds" have you addressed the know issues? Have you looked into Bill Jackson's work on the sled?

So, what is there to 'understand' ? The fact that it failed to penetrate the market says a great deal.

[PAR]

The fact it "failed to penetrate the market" is actually much more complex then it would seem, but mostly derives from Hickman himself. It's helpful if you know the story behind the design, not to mention the design itself to understand the realities of the concept.

[Mr Efficiency]

Assuming there are now no patent restriction issues of note, others should have stepped in to commercialise it, if it had sufficient merit.

[m3mm0s rib]

I do not think of this video you can express some views

[Mr Efficiency]

You can't tell anything from it, and it was flat enough for a bath-tub derby.

[PAR]

Several designers have implemented Hickman style hull forms into their catalog of designs, including myself. In fact, most of us has addressed the known issues and a better boat is the result. If you've never been on a sled, then find a way to get a ride, as it's a unique experience and an eye opener. Traveling a 50 MPH without spilling beer is an accomplishment, unrivaled in other small craft going the same speed. It would also be helpful, if you did a little research on the subject, before you place a negative or positive comment about something, you clearly haven't a good grasp about.

[IMP-ish]

Originally Posted by Mr Efficiency

Assuming there are now no patent restriction issues of note, others should have stepped in to commercialise it, if it had sufficient merit.

I don't know the Hickman Sea sled, but I don't agree with this. Less likely probably, but maybe the time is now and wojtek86 will be the one. We'll see. What is the phase: what's old is new again?

A recent example I can think of is when I asked about steps I saw on a sunsation's hull near the bow. I asked what they were, and now I'm seeing them on more boats. The reference was to shingle bottom boats 80 years ago. In the 90's your logic would have been they wouldn't come back - tried, disappeared, that's it. But they're back now, a bit different, but back.

Also things change. In the 80s I remember borrowing a van with a 4 cylinder engine. What a gutless vehicle I thought. I'd never have a car that wasn't a V8 with lots of power. I remember a joke about a hyundi that if you turned on the ac it wouldn't make it up a hill. Those were the days of more and more power. I wouldn't have given two thoughts to any compromise in handling to save a few gallons of gas then. Heavily built solid deeeeep vee to slice through and not bounce around was it for me. Now that gas is over $4 a gallon and more in the future, I might start to look at other options. Maybe some old ideas will come back again, I wouldn't be surprised.

The video is too far away to see anything though. A chase boat that keeps up is needed.

[Mr Efficiency]

I'm a big fan of power cats, but the sled cannot be anything other than a harsh riding conveyance in 'curly' water. And that's why it remains a curiousity.

[gonzo]

A two word answer: Boston Whaler.

[PAR]

Again, your assumptions of the sled are showing a gross lack of understanding about the hull from, the dynamics underway and it's place in powerboat hull form development and history. Instead of making unfounded assumptions about something you clearly have no experience with, maybe (again) you could preform some research on the fairly well documented subject, including the (multiple) military testing and evaluations of the type and the various commercial offshoots that were developed in the 50's and 60's.

[Mr Efficiency]

Originally Posted by PAR

Again, your assumptions of the sled are showing a gross lack of understanding about the hull from, the dynamics underway and it's place in powerboat hull form development and history. Instead of making unfounded assumptions about something you clearly have no experience with, maybe (again) you could preform some research on the fairly well documented subject, including the (multiple) military testing and evaluations of the type and the various commercial offshoots that were developed in the 50's and 60's.

Your assumption I have not studied the hull form is wrong. And if you are referring to cathedral hulls as an offshoot, they have virtually vanished for much the same reason.......they ride like crap.

[PAR]

Have you ever rode in a Hickman sled? How about a Jackson version? Any of the modern takes on the concept? If you've studied the type, what was the main issue most had with the Hickman, beside the old man himself?