Quote:
| Originally Posted by Eric Sponberg Personally, I think the stylists are overtaking design to the detriment of good naval architecture. Hydrodynamically, the reverse bow does not make any sense at all. The shape and volume of the hull goes against sound seaworthiness in a seaway--as such a boat powers through waves there is little reserve buoyancy to keep the bow high in relation to the waves and deflect spray. The boat will tend to sumberge in seas, making for a very wet ride indeed. That's fine if that is what you are looking for, and if you are willing to make that sort of compromise towards style.
Eric |
Eric, I agree with you on the wavepiercer bow.
However, volume above the waterline does not necessarily equal seakindliness. I recently made a short trip on an Axe-bow ship and saw video footage of tank testing comparing a conventionally bowed ship, an axe bow and a wavepiercer in heavy seas.
The wavepiercer acted as you say, but the axe-bow behaved a lot better at high speeds in heavy seas (and was still going fine when the others were basically sinking). It had a dry ride while it has little or no reserve buoyancy in the bow.
But, there's a lot more to the axe-bow concept than a vertical stemline and high freeboard at the bow. Including some compromises most yacht-owners would not like to make.
Best regards,
Bruno