Does a 20-foot catamaran have a higher hull speed than a 20-foot displacement boat?

Question

And if so, why?
Would it make my catamaran even faster if it had four hulls instead of only two?

I am trying to build a very energy-efficient commuter boat, and I hope to make it fast, as well. Since I don't want to have to build a 100-foot boat to get decent hull speed with barely a few horsepower, I am hoping that an artificial extension of my hull length via the "catamaran trick", if there is such a thing, might work - and I wonder whether plopping in a few extra hulls would do it.

Answer 1

the catamaran is faster - less resistance

Answer 2

You see the narrower the hull the faster will travel , but the problem it comes with displacement , you have a compromise to make , the cat with the same water line as the displacement hull have to be lighter , obviously because the hulls are narrower in relation to the length , so if you have the same weight or displacement weight the cat will sit deeper or have a lower water line and you lose on the drag of the water against the sides of the hull , so the trick is make it as light as you can , make your hull the full length , that is have a plum bow to lengthen the longitudinal hull . more hulls wont do anything for you ... it all has to do with the wet surface coefficients of the hull under weight and power A displacement hull has a nominal speed of about 8 to 10 knots , any more power is a waist of fuel you just push water for nothing , but is grate with small power it will push it at the same speed ., A cat is a good idea , but make it light .

Answer 3

Catamarans are normally faster than normal hull styles due to their haveing less drag coefficint at speed. A thought.....put "planes" on the hull, that actually help lift the boat higher as it picks up speed. Less hull in the water= less drag, therefore higher speeds.

Answer 4

Yes. The Displacement of a Mono Hull has more drag.
Tri Hulls are ok, four hulls would be adding more drag. less effecient.
The cat design or dual hulls is used on very large vessels with great effect.
http://www.halseylidgard.com/gallery.php
http://www.meng.ucl.ac.uk/~nag_web/Damp_Dev.html
http://www.morrellimelvin.com/playstation/psDesignHistory.html
Next one explains 2 hulls or 3?
http://www.morrellimelvin.com/playstation/psDesignHistory.html
http://www.sms.lv/catalogue_companies_list/company_source_32054_2.html
From Destin:
http://www.corsairtri.com/images/750upwind4.jpg
http://www.corsairtri.com/images/750upwind2.jpg
They 'plopped' some Outriggers onto that hull.
http://www.corsairtri.com/
Hope that inspires.

Answer 5

what you want is known as a "wave piercer" design..type that into your search engine..below are links to two operations; one in New Zeeland and one here in the Virgin Islands...the Virgin Islands boats are about 24 foot, have two 150 hp Yamaha outboards on them, can carry 28 people at about 25 knots, and have passed the incredibly strict US Coast Guard design and stability regulations for small passenger craft....they operate in everything from flat calm to 8 foot seas and 30 knots of wind......built from marine ply and epoxy resin they weigh next to nothing.....the third link.....watetaxi-vi... shows them in operation......remember, these designs have already passed the US Coast Guard...........

Answer 6

here's a link on ebay motors where you can find them in your home town.

Answer 7

if you can't answer that question on your own, you don't need to be asking anybody anything!!! you're not going to be faster than squat!!!