Re: shortning the beam

Posted by LeeG on Oct 6, 2004

Yes it's been attempted. There's a modified LT16 that I saw built by a former CLC employee 4yrs ago to give a Chesapeake more flared side panels and more turning response to a lean. The problem is that it required a fair amount of gap filling to work as the trimming was done to original LT16 panels. Also the sprung sheerclamps limit the possible deadrise angles at the bow/entry which in conjunction with the one piece deck tend to make for a low volume bow where the hull first cuts the water. There are other attributes in the Chesapeaks handling worth working towards than the implication that narrower=faster. Focusing on a particular dimension such as an unspecificied beam measurment doesn't mean much for what happens on the water in wind/waves. It's a little like saying "longer kayaks are faster" or low profile tires on a car will make it handle better. "Sharpening" the design can increase weathercocking or the speed at which the bow sticks and the stern slides in a broach if the rest of the hull isn't taken into consideration. I and the fellow who made the modified LT16 also worked up a design starting from a Northbay. By the time you get around to making what you're looking for by modifying the Ch hull shape you'll notice there are already designs with those attributes you are looking for.

In Response to: shortning the beam by Ety Bahar on Oct 2, 2004

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