Flash Poll: Bows & Sterns
What looks good to your eye?
Following up on Marty’s Dock Walk feature, which of these bows and sterns (drawings from Ted Brewer’s book Understanding Boat Design) warm your heart, and which ones would you throw overboard?
Add your comments below—Eds •SCA•
In the early days of boat use and ownership, I listened very hard to many folks who seemed to have a good grip on things like this. In more than 40 years on the water and having owned and used a very wide variety of boat end shapes, I think the current thinking that those shapes and their behavior are not as easy to categorize as once thought, is correct. A beautiful boat is in fact a work of art. Phil Bolger once wrote that those who owned and maintained beautiful boats should get a tax break. (I paraphrase). While there are many boats I do not wish to own, there are far fewer that I don't want to look at. The question is whether there is a good reason for what you see. I in fact am partial to every shape on your list under the right circumstances. No one else has to feel that way if they don't want to.
Having started sailing in an Albacore, I am partial to a plumb bow and stern. About as much waterline length that is possible.