I love to watch the constant boat design changes year to year to attract new customers. Sometimes the designers come up with a really innovative design that is a real nautical innovation. Sometimes it is just grandly stupid, and sometimes it has the potential of being deadly. I don’t think it’s only a boating issue. I think it’s just rampant in all design today. Pick-up trucks become bigger and bigger and more luxurious, 90% of them today are driven by accountants, doctors, and stock brokers who have never held a drill. But advertising beckons them in. Be a “Real Man” of whatever!
When they started in the USA market with the “Euro” look hulls, my stomach turned. The contortions each boat hull was designed to look like just did not hit me in the right place. On the waters, they just struck me as marshmallows floating on the water. The old defined lines of American brands were slowly softened until many brands went to total “Euro Trash” design. Everyone is entitled to their own style mantra but dedicated mariners lean to boat designs that are built to take heavy seas and have more traditional lines because they have been time-tested and as safe as possible. Many newer Euro-designs have several major design flaws that are not only problematic but could lead to disaster especially if they are pushed beyond their capabilities. If a person prefers these trendy designs, they should be aware of the dangers and limitations of the vessel they are buying BEFORE they put down a nickel. Believe me; the salesperson has no obligation to inform you of his product’s flaws. It’s just “Buyer beware”!
The first issue is the bow of the vessel. This is most important since the bow is what clears your path through the briny deep. The higher the bow of the boat is comparatively from the water line the less probability you how of being overwhelmed by a high frontal sea.
Take a look at most Euro-design boats. What do you see? The bow most likely slopes down towards the lateral midway point. I must put this out there in rather calm terms. THIS IS JUST PLAIN NUTS! I have seen many examples of these types of boats just plowing right under into an oncoming wave and filling up quickly.
The second issue is that the majority of the smaller boats of this style are designed to be “Bowriders”. Let some people ride and sun themselves up front while underway and that’s like begging King Neptune to take you down because you are their weight just hammering down the bow even close to the water line. If you are lucky, at minimum, everyone will get a dousing and at worst, sinking and possibly drowning, once that bow goes under, you are done. I can guarantee the scuppers can’t drain it off fast enough and the next wave will be the “Coups De Grace” I’ve seen clips where this has happened in the Point Pleasant, Raritan Bay, Jones and Fire Island Inlets, Huntington Bay and going through many inlets in the south but it’s a problem all over.
Lastly, remember the type of water you are in. These boats are not ocean or large bay-conducive by any means. They are for very calm waters where the chance of even a rivulet is near impossible. They are also great if you have a large swimming pool. What I suggest is this. If you want to get into boating read every boating magazine available. Take a boating course before you even start looking. Find a qualified captain who you can tip a few bucks to take you out and enlighten you. Then, if you feel ready to get on the waters, by a real boat with a proper bow!
See you on the water!
Captain Eddy
You can reach Captain Eddy –mark@designedge.net