2007-01-28 01:39:15 · 5 answers · asked by Mark S 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
The more surface area you have the more volume you have on a vessel. The more surface area you have the more power your ship will require.
The surface to volume ratio for a ships hull is typically (as a rule of thumb) about 3:1.
Length is the dimension that adds the least amount of resistance per unit increase. (By that I mean that if you have a ship and you need more volume you should lengthen it. Stretching the length dimension causes less resistance then in creasing the beam or the draft.) Be aware, this DOES still add some resistance.
2007-01-31 07:59:57 · answer #1 · answered by Annie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In dealing with displacement hulls, the smallest surface area would result in a semi spherical smooth hull design, while allowing for maximum displacement. But this is not the best hull design to move through the water. The longer the length in relationship to frontal area produces the least amount of drag. Some of the most efficent hull designs are submarines...which is like taking the sphere...and stretching it and pinching the tail so that water will smoothly reattach itself in the rear.
2007-01-28 18:03:42 · answer #2 · answered by chris f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In power boats the big cats, 30 plus feet are the chosen rescue boats for the southern ocean - also the abalone fishermen use these, or thirty odd foot cathedral hull alloy boats. This in some of the most treacherous waters in the world. Race boat design tends to the fast but fragile type. Commercial boats have to handle because they have to be there. In general a 35-45 foot low ketch rigged full keel displacement hull yacht is well proven and a very known type - a school of thought maintains a retractable keel is better in storm conditions when fully pulled up as it allows the hull to slide rather than dig in on extreme waves, this is certainly true of the smaller boats under 35'. No boat is any better than the master in charge, no master of significant experience will consider an unknown type or design of boat without extensive testing and a thorough study of the designer and/or builder and his/her qualifications and experience. In the end people's lives depend on this caution. Good luck.
2016-03-29 06:14:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more surface area touching the water(length) the faster. Wider boats would have more volume but be slower.
2007-01-28 05:26:32 · answer #4 · answered by science teacher 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes, more surface area equals more volume.
2007-01-28 03:12:09 · answer #5 · answered by mark t 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋