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Hi I am a first time boat builder and I am thinking of building the 15.5 skiff is anyone familiar with it. I will only be using electric. Which type of hull design which is best for slow speed , calm waters .

When you say "electric power" do you mean an electric trolling motor, or were you planning on going a little elaborate?

In general most else being equal, a more narrow hull will require less horsepower or thrust than a wider hull simply because it is in contact with less water, so it has less drag to overcome.

Also, in general, a wider hull tends to be a little more stable than a narrow hull - think of a canoe - but that also depends on the hull shape - a flat bottom is more stable on calm water than a rounded or vee bottom, but both of the latter two are more stable in choppy water - so there is always a trade off.

If you are looking for a design that will be the most efficient to push with lower power you need to select a hull that has a 3:1 (or better) ratio of length to width.

Since both of the 15 footers are flat bottomed, it is only the width that separates the two.

The "standard bottom" at 5' 1" wide/15' 4" long (with a ratio of bang on 3:1) would move "easier" through the water, requiring less power than the wider version 5' 7"/15' 4" (or a 2.7:1 ratio).

That's a bit of the physics involved, but selection should always be about what suits your needs best. The narrow hull may be a little cramped and even that extra 6" can be quite significant....

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Graham

Yes, Plywood is "real" wood

A "professional" is someone who gets paid for their work - it doesn't necessarily mean they are good at it

Thanks Graham great info on the hull design math that talks. This will be a graet aid in my decision
Joe

Hi Joe I am Butch .I am an ACBS Member we will have our big show in March there will be some electric skifs there .They will be happy to talk with you .If you are anywhere near Lake Dora Florida March.This show is a must see for anyone that loves wood boats .I thinf we dad close to 300 boats last year.We are getting bigger every year.

Here's a cool idea for an Electric skiff from one of our people in California.


He glued and clamped the motor to the Rudder. Pretty well protected. He routered the leading edge of the Rudder and ran the Electrical cables up the 'ditch' and glued it all down pretty good.
There's an electrical connector up in the boat just ahead of the rudder so the rudder can come off for traveling.
He steers and controls the whole thing from his middle seat.

If you are going to fish quietly in closed in waters, take the narrow bottom. Easier to handle and build.