Innovative Hull Type - Fuel Economy
 

On Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:33:12 -0500, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

On Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:59:31 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

The tunnel hull seems to offer some promise. Pressurize the water
feeding the prop using a tunnel design. Or maybe reduce the pressure
and increase the velocity with the tunnel design.

This isn't as innovative as you might think - a lot of small boat
manufacturers have been building this type of hull design for quite a
while now. There's a manufacturer called Shoalwater (don't know if
they are in business stiil or not) that built bay boats and other
shallow water flats boats with this type of design.

Not much detail, but there was some talk about the complex angles of
the tunnels and the need for computer-controlled cutting of same.
Maybe all just PR talk. Since this stuff is already a few years old,
it looks like it went nowhere. Fascinating idea though.
Somebody might actually make it all work.

--Vic

Innovative Hull Type - Fuel Economy
 

On Nov 24, 8:42*am, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:33:12 -0500, Tom Francis - SWSports

wrote:
On Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:59:31 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

The tunnel hull seems to offer some promise. *Pressurize the water
feeding the prop using a tunnel design. *Or maybe reduce the pressure
and increase the velocity with the tunnel design.

This isn't as innovative as you might think - a lot of small boat
manufacturers have been building this type of hull design for quite a
while now. *There's a manufacturer called Shoalwater (don't know if
they are in business stiil or not) that built bay boats and other
shallow water flats boats with this type of design.

Not much detail, but there was some talk about the complex angles of
the tunnels and the need for computer-controlled cutting of same.
Maybe all just PR talk. *Since this stuff is already a few years old,
it looks like it went nowhere. *Fascinating idea though.
Somebody might actually make it all work.

--Vic

How about a prop that actively changes shape to minimize it's slipping
and maximize drive, ie, active pitch changing. I have seen a plastic
prop that claims to do this somewhat.