Question on 72" wide or 84" wide workboat

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for having me.

We are having a new welded aluminum utility boat made.

It is a 20' tiller style, deep boat.

We will use this boat to move people and tools back and forth to the jobsite on protected freshwater lakes.

My question is this. I am getting two different opinions on the width.

One theory is to go with the 72" wide boat as they not as rough in the water and cut through the water better.

second theory is go with 84" wide boat as they can carry more people and cargo safely and are more stable.

I would appreciate any comments on this.

THe boat will be powered with a 115 horsepower tiller outboard.

Thank you

 

I would go with the wider dimension, if it's not a speed boat then you can deal with a little rough water, just slow it down, my 17' skiff is 72" wide.

 

Thank you for the reply.

We have a smaller work boat ( 16') and it is 78" wide.

Does pound quite a bit when its windy.

My Dad agrees with you. Go with the wider boat. More stable and more capacity.

Thanks

 

Consider the issue from the other point of view: what advantages has a width of 72 ", no one?, then you have your answer.

 

Some have said they are not as rough ?

Not sure but I think the advantages of the width outweigh that by quite a margin.

 

Is that the bottom width, or width at the gunwale? Anyway based on the motor, go with the wider model.

 

that is gunwale width.

I am in agreement with you.

Looks like there is no real good reason to go with 6'

 

84" is a good gunwale (gunnel)/beam width for that length of boat.

It is true that a narrow boat will not pound as much, as it cuts through the waves better and there is less surface area for the waves, or chop, to pound against. However, everything is a compromise. What you gain in stability and carrying capacity would make the 84" a good choice. If it gets too rough, slow down a little.

I've run a 25-foot flat-bottom with 60" bottom and 84" beam width. With a 115hp four-stroke, it will run upper 30s mph and around 4-4.5mpg, boat is probably around 2000lbs (aluminum). Stability is good on that boat.

 

84" it is.

I have put in the order.

Thanks for all the comments.

 

I'd also opt for the wider boat considering the purpose. The disadvantage is the structural complication. If the bottom is a foot wider, then the reinforcing framing will need to be signifigantly more robust and numerous.

 

I would find out if trailer towing is legally easier with the narrower boat where you are..