Boat hull types

These boats are generally less expensive to build and have a shallow draft. They can get up on plane easily but unless the water surface is perfectly calm they tend to give a rough ride because of the flat bottom pounding on each wave. They also tend to be less stable and require careful balancing of cargo and crew.

Examples of flat bottom boats are Jon boats, small utility boats, and some high-speed runabouts.

The vee bottom has a sharper entry into the water that provides for a smoother ride in rough water. They do, however, require more power to achieve the same speed. Many runabouts use the vee-bottom design.

These move easily through the water, especially at slow speeds. They do, however, tend to roll unless they are outfitted with a deep keel or stabilizers. Many trawlers, canoes and sailboats have round bottoms.

Catamarans, trimarans, pontoon boats and some houseboats carry the multi-hull design. The wide stance provides greater stability. Each of the hulls may carry any of the bottom designs described above.