stepped hulls?

[dubb]

I understand the advantages of this design but what are the disadvantages of a stepped hull? Why dont you see them on larger boats?

[M.E.K.]

Larger boats don't go fast enough to take advantage of the steps.

[dubb]

How fast does a boat have to go in order for the step to be useful?

[ken2]

has to get up on plane an run probably 40+ to make the steps worth it.

When you say "big boats" how big are you talking about?

Stepped hulls are a little harder to plane then a standard one.
They also mess with transducers. A transom mount won't work with a stepped hull because it doesn't get clean water.
Larger boats shoot through the hull before the first step to read bottom.

[dubb]

I'm talking about 40-60 foot boats. I'm wondering why you dont see the step in a spencer, tribute, or american yachts. They all seem to want more speed so why not use a stepped hull?

[mdrums]

For a step hull to work the boat has to be a full planing design. Also some companies do not want to do the expensive R&D to get a step hull to properly work for there current hull design. Not all step hulls work to their full efficiency.