Stock runabout design

[crfabbro2F]

I've been experimenting with a few CSR designs ( mainly V hulls), but
lately been playing with some flatbottom designs. My question to you
experts is what is the reason for bottoms being 32-36" wide? Is it for flat turning, speed (more lift), stability? At 60mph you would not think you
need that much width for lift. My current V hull totally lifts out of the water with only 8" of ride surface. An observation of todays CSR designs compared
to the past is that todays designs seem to blowover a lot. I know there are a lot of little tricks such as rocker and aerodynamics that have profound
effects on performance, but I know those are probably locked up
secrets.

My first attempt CSR flatbottom is 27" wide at the transom and so far
it has no handling problems, but race conditions may be another story.

[B Walker]

I have owned a lot of CSR's.

The narrowest bottom width was 29 1/4" and the widest was 42". Most were 34"-36".

There is a reason Kilo boat CSR's are all 40"+ wide. But nobody races a Kilo boat on a closed course and its not because they cant get them to turn.

As a general rule, the wider the bottom the faster they are but that also makes them harder to drive . Race boat building is the fine art of building a fast boat that is also "driveable". Current wooden boat building has gradually gotten wider over the last 20 years especially as race courses have become more and more controlled environments with good to great water conditions.

This has allowed for builders to make wider, faster, and harder to drive boats.

It is not just width that is important but also the length of flat bottom to the break thats important.

I look forward to seeing your newest design

BW

[Tim Weber]

Chris,

That is a loaded question. You have to give a little to get a little and there is no perfect boat as you know.

I had an experimental 40" wide Desilva. I blew it over twice with no warning, not good. It turned without problem though. This was the forerunner to the boat you saw at Rainbow City.

What we are all trying to do is build a boat that is between heaven and hell but leaning just the least toward heaven.

Personally, I would stick between 32" & 34". I would have the bottom break about 36 to 40". The deck design and chines, well that's another subject. The amount of dead rise is another.

The problem is you go to a race and see someone like Worm, Tim Ross (heal quick Dew), Greg Lyons, Nuch, the who's who of the class and they make it look so easy. The guy on the beach says that's the boat I want. Well the reality is there are only a few guys who can really drive that edgy, style boat.
You have to grow into the edgy boats. The better guys have all gone on their head along the way too.

A boat is nothing but a compromise. Good Luck, I am sure more guys will chime in.

Tim

[Gunjumper]

Runabouts...

Not much more to chime in about, the two of you pretty much nailed it... Thanks for the kudos Tim, darn right I've been on my head more times than my wife would have liked! The on the edge but a touch closer to Heaven is a perfect discription, this is racing, not pleasure boating, and a fast runabout is "on the edge of out of control" says Harry Hogg! Greg

[MGallagher]

A monkey can drive those boats.

[B Walker]

Think I just found my new quote


hahahahaha

BW

[MGallagher]

Complements of Richard "the worm" Runne circa 2004.

[sam]

An observation of todays CSR designs compared
to the past is that todays designs seem to blowover a lot.

Today's boats are lighter and constructed of lighter material. Its very easy to get the center of gravity very far back. Good for both speed & blowovers.

[crfabbro2F]

Thanks for the info guys! Heaven and hell is a great description! I have some
good test data on the first prototype with only a 27" wide bottom, so I'll try
widening the same hull to see what happens. I'll post the results after I
get them.

[csh12M]

Hi Chris,

We spoke in Fl. for a bit, I was admiring your boats. I REALLY REALLY hope you can hit a good design. I think your work could be a "game changer" for the sport. Your rigs were beautiful.

Thanks,
12M and sometimes 222M

[hydroracer25]

Hi Chris,
12M and sometimes 222M

I know I have no room to talk, but don't you mean 222M and rarely 12M

Mark
00M

[dholt]

He's got you there, Dean-O.

When is that CSH coming back out?

I like the 00-M reference, Mark. But at least you're getting on the water this weekend...which is more than I can say for myself.

Who's up for Dunnville with the TRORA boys?

D.

[BP125V]

Miskerik

Hey, at least he was able to announce the last heat of the day on Sunday at Grass Lake.

Bill

[Racerkyle20]

A monkey can drive those boats.

Clearly

[MGallagher]

LOL!!! Nice Kyle!!!