For many people, understanding the language
of boating can be very confusing. When sales
people talk of deep vees or planing
strakes, most customers are more than a little
lost. At Lifestyle Marine, we're here to help you
feel at ease with all things boating, no matter
how basic.
Beam
The width of the boat
at its widest point.
Chine
The edge, where the sides of
the boat meet the bottom. Another critical
area of the
boat design - the shape angle and size of
the chine can have a radical bearing on the
boat's
performance.
Deadrise
This is the word used
to describe the amount of 'vee' in the shape
of the hull
at the transom (stern). Simply put, a flat
bottom boat would obviously 'slap' or 'pound'
as it moves across the water. A boat with
a 'veed' bottom shape can more easily slice
through
the waves.
Flared Bow
The amount of overhang
the boat has up near the bow. Over-rated
in its real
use to the consumer, as the water shouldn't
be up there in the first place. Of more use
to an advertising agency than a boat builder.
LOA
Stand for 'length overall' - ie. from the
tip of the bowsprit to the transom.
'Planing'
Strakes
The long 'thin' strips or ribs that
run under the boat from up near
the bow. These are not decoration, they work
hard to provide 'lift' for the boat, to help
it get up on top of the water and as the
boat zooms along, they turn the water back down
on itself. One of the most poorly understood
aspects of modern boat design, planing strakes
are one reasons why some boats plane so easliy,
and perform so well with only moderate engines.
Power
Ratings
As a rule of thimb, about half way
between the minimum and maximum is
fairly accurate - but it's best to check
this carefully with us. We can advise you on the
best engine/boat combination for your area.
It is suyrprising how much it varies from
one region to another - and relates to things such
as tidal patterns, sea conditions, bars,
rivers,
etc.
Self Draining Cockpit
Simply, where the
cockpit floor ('sole') is higher than the
outside water level - thus any water inside
can drain
overboard.
Shoulders
Roughly a quarter of
the way along the hull from the bow. Usually
where the boat
achieves its widest point.
Transom
The stern,
or back part of the boat. Important here
to make sure the boat has a
full height, self draining outboard well.
Transom
Height
The higher the outboard engine is
out of the water, the longer it will last
- it's that simple.
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