What is the difference between a v-hull and a tri hull?

Question

I am learning about boats and plan to by one soon. Im thinking about a 17 ft open bow boat. It needs to hold 2 adults and 3 kids. We like to fish. And tubing looks like alot of fun. With these two needs in mind, is one better suited than the other? Is a v-hull for deeper water and the tri hull can go in shallow water?

Answer 1

I love Jesus too.
If you are in large open water that could become choppy, the V hull would be better. If you are going to be in a small lake or a river that is protected from the wind, the V hull would not be necessary. Tubing can be done from a Jon boat with a 25 HP O/B. Your main concern will be a boat large enough to carry 5 people & the gear you'll need. If it is too rough to run a Tri hull it will be too rough to ski or tube.
May God bless you & your family.

Answer 2

I have had both. The V hull is much smoother running at higher speeds in the open water with choppy waves and the tri hull will slap the water pretty hard going into the waves, but the tri hull won't rock from side to side as bad when you are sitting still. If you want stability while sitting still, go with the tri hull. If you rarely ever fish, but spend most of your time racing across the water, innertubing, and skiing, then you probably want the v hull for a smoother ride.
You have a fairly large family, so you might want to all go out together on the water in someone's boat to see what size boat is comfortable. Given my experience, I personally think that five people need about 20 foot to be comfortable and especially if you are fishing with rods and reels.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Double V Hull

Answer 5

Yes the V-hull is meant for more open and deeper waters with a higher speed neccessary for planing compared to the tri hull. However for the uses that you outline the V-hull would be more practical. Tri-hull is generally more suited to sailing.
V-hull is more suited to a wider range of motors and can easily adapt to any adverse conditions.
You also may want to consider a flat bottomed hull if you are serious about your fishing. The flat bottomed hull will allow to to drift in over sand bars and further into mangroves etc
hope it helps
Cheers

Answer 6

V-Hull;
http://www.gulfcoastboatingcenter.com/boat_listing_offshore_cigarette_sport_boats/2000_sea_ray_260_sundancer_3.jpg

Tri-Hull;
http://www.boatloco.com/boats/forsale/data/35/P1010838.jpg

The V-Hull "Cuts" through the waves and does not bounce as much, though all boats will bounce over waves. The V-Hull rides more smooth and may sit a little deeper in the water, but, it really not a big deal. It may not seem as stable in a turn as it will tend to lay over more (Which I find fun when playing, another story).
The Tri-Hull provides more stability it turns and may go more in shallow water. I also has a little more room in the Bow/Front as it more boxed. But, it will Jump waves instead of "Cut" waves so it rides more rough.
I think people seem to prefer the V-Hull for a smoother ride.
Engines? Today's Outboard is a Four Stroke due to EPA, but, I think Johnson does make a 2-Stroke that meets standards. I not as familiar with the new ones as to fuel usage. But, before the 4-Stroke Outboard the In Boards (Car Engine) did have better fuel efficiency. The Outboard, as I try to show some pictures, may block you vision slightly as it sticks up on the back of the boat. So, I have always preferred an Inboard (Though I have had both).
Now I explain the Inboards. There are two types we see most. The Inboard/Outboard (Referred to as an I/O). It has the engine at the Stern?Back of the boat at the Transom (Back). It uses an Out-drive that looks like the bottom of an Outboard. The Out-drive is raised up and down with Hydraulics. The advantage of this is, the boat can be adjusted as to how it rides in the water (Planing) and it can be raised in shallow water to protect the prop (Propeller) from hitting bottom. Thought the more it raised the less it steer, so, it usually Idled in gear to move slow.
The other type is called an "Inboard" these are nice boats for ski and tube and used a lot in competition. The engine sits further up from the back almost in the center of the boat. The propeller (Prop) comes out the bottom of the boat and is "Fixed" it can not be raised or lowered. So, a person needs to be careful in shallow water as there no way to raise the prop from hitting bottom.
In my opinion; The V-Hull Inboard/Outboard is a good all around family boat and with proper maintenance will last for many, many years, actually a lifetime as most any boat will with maintenance. Boats depreciate fast, so, one in good condition the a few years (2-5) can be a good buy compared to new. But, it good to know what you need to look at when buying anything used as it a As-Is situation.
Here is a nice V-Hull with an Outboard engine;
http://www.caravelleboats.com/Boats/older%20models/1992%20Classic%201750%20Outboard.JPG
Here how an I/O engine looks before being put in a boat;
http://www.lifetimer.bc.ca/Available%20Power%20Options_files/Volvomotorpic.jpg
Here an I/O and Outboard together;
http://www.tahoesportboats.com/about/images/outOrStern.jpg
Hard to see, but this the Inboard and looking hard you see a propeller in front of the rudder (Rudder steers).
Here how the engine sits in the Inboard, some may have the engine further back, but the engine helps balance the boat as the prop can not;
http://www.wakeworld.com/WWImages/News/2006/MasterCraft4.jpg

Answer 7

The tri-hull is a very stable platform, but it *will* pound you to death in any kind of chop. It basically gives you more deck space in the bow without sacrificing stability, at the cost of a smooth ride rough water. That's not to say V-hulls are not stable. Much smoother ride in rough water, and capable of more speed given the same weight and powerplant as a tri-hull. And if it has a pad ("pad-v" or "performance hull") and enough power to hold it up there, it'll flat out move.

Answer 8

Yes v-hull is for deeper water, and tri-hull works well with shallow water. The tri-hull is alott more stable to stand in, but cornering is limited. The v-hull is more for open water sports like sking and stuff. Just try talking to your local dealer or someone that owns one of each and do the comparison. Good luck.

Answer 9

When it comes to runabouts, a v hull and tri-hull are pretty much comparable with each other. The tri-hull will be just a little more stable in waves.

Answer 10

Tri-Hull (Bay Boat) is a more stable platform for fishing (Small boat design), when wt. tranfer's over to the other side, the other Hull dips down to add stability, the disadvantage is that they "POUND" the wave, making a bit of a wet rough ride. A "V" Hull is designed to cut through a wave,