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Thread: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

  1. #1
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    Default What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    And when I say asymmetric, the two sides of the hull curve differently from the centerline. At the midpoint of the sides, they are exactly equidistant from the keel batten, but further towards the bow, there is a measurable difference (1/2 inch), and the transom is wracked. Obviously, the two sides bent at different rates when I pulled them together to attach the transom, and one side is further towards center than the other at the stern.

    Aesthetics aside, will this have an impact on the functionality of the boat? I am referring to the WB Lumberyard Skiff.

    Any advice is appreciated.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    It ought to be no problem, there are lots of boats with that situation, just enjoy it

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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Not a problem. Our girl came out of the factory with an inch up on one side.(been rectified-15yrs later.) no difference. Don't lose sleep over it.Never made any difference.I might add,that you enjoy her. It wont matter.
    Last edited by skipper68; 10-17-2010 at 09:05 PM.
    $kipper 68 :fatal error...The more I learn,the more of danger to myself and others I've become! !

  4. #4
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Are you in the Northern or Southern hemisphere?

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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Quote Originally Posted by JimConlin View Post
    Are you in the Northern or Southern hemisphere?
    Northern.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Northern hemisphere -- you'll pull clockwise due to the Coriolous effect.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    There is a very easy fix for this sort of problem....

    Put your tape measure away!
    Goat Island Skiff and Simmons Sea Skiff construction photos here:

    http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w...esMan/?start=0

    and here:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/37973275@N03/

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  8. #8
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Our hull has a distortion that makes it sail upwind better on a starboard tack than port. You have to keep this in mind while racing.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    In other words, on a boat of that design and not being actively raced, not a problem. Your body weight and other ballast will have a much greater effect...
    "The enemies of reason have a certain blind look."
    Doctor Jacquin to Lieutenant D'Hubert, in Ridley Scott's first major film _The Duellists_.

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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    First, you need a wormdrive skilsaw...

    <ducking to avoid flying objects>
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  11. #11
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Symetry is overrated!

  12. #12
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Can this be corrected by adjusting the gronicle bias?

  13. #13
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    The outriggers on Jim Brown trimarans were deliberately assymetrical...seemed to sail fine to me.....sorta depended on which way you were going though....relative to the wind.
    Wakan Tanka Kici Un
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  14. #14

    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    If you need a tape establish that it's not symmetrical, it probably not going to matter.

  15. #15
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    On the up side, you may be able to sell one of her oars.
    It really is quite difficult to build an ugly wooden boat.

  16. #16
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Almost all boats are assymetrical when measured by a tape measure. Don't worry about it.
    “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

  17. #17
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Quote Originally Posted by Rational Root View Post
    If you need a tape establish that it's not symmetrical, it probably not going to matter.
    Well, I didn't need a tape for the transom. Up near the bow, I could see a difference, but measured to confirm.

    Thanks for the input.

  18. #18
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?



    It's hard to see it, but it's there. I found it when we installed a Sampson post and things didn't quite line up as I thought they should.

    Tracks perfectly nonetheless. I don't even notice it, but it can be measured.

    Hand of man.

  19. #19
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    It will go in circles. There are different degrees of asymmetry and different effects in different hulls. Gondolas are built that way to counter the effect of rowing/sculling on one side, with the result that they go straight. In a power boat it could counter or exacerbate prop walk. In a sailboat it will generally not be noticed except to make a little difference in windward ability, though to whatever degree it makes the boat want to go in circles it will increase the helm on one tack or another. If you have to look at the boat to notice the effect it is probably negligible.

  20. #20
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    You will only begin to notice it around 32 knots.

  21. #21
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    As in nature, perfect symmetry in boats is a very rare thing.

  22. #22
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    I know of one or two boats that have a rubbing strake two inches longer on one side than the other.They perform adequately.A rather local class consists purely of assymetric boats after the moulds slipped when the prototype was built and all subsequent boats were built to match.

  23. #23
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Quote Originally Posted by kc8pql View Post
    As in nature, perfect symmetry in boats is a very rare thing.
    What I was looking for. Thanks everyone.

  24. #24
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ian McColgin View Post
    Northern hemisphere -- you'll pull clockwise due to the Coriolous effect.
    That's what I was thinking - reminds me of one of the funniest Simpsons' episodes ever, where Bart calls Australia and convinces a kid to put the end of a roll of toilet paper in the toilet and flush it, to see if it swirls in a different direction. I can't remember what the effect was, but Bart ends up getting "Booted" (the equivalent of caning in Thailand).

    Ah, good times.

  25. #25
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Unless a boats bottom was formed by perfectly circular sections and had no appendages It would be assymetrical in it's underwater shape in anything other than level trim. You may take it from the precedenig poorly worded sentance (it's early, insufficient quantity of coffee) that your boat should perform about as well as any other of the same design. Put a sail on it so you have a good reason to be at an angle all the time.
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  26. #26
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    I remember reading a story years ago about (I think it was ) the Story Shipyard in Essex Mass. - They were building a good size fishing trawler, had her all framed, the yard foremen while coming to work one day stopped & looked at her from head-on, and thought she didn't look quite right. He had some of the guys check some dimensions & sure enough she had a full foot more beam on one side than on the other! - The cure was to jack out the side that was narrower. - Turned out she had a noticeable amount more carrying capacity than her sistership that was built before her.
    --- in short, this stuff happens all the time.

  27. #27
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    Quote Originally Posted by orbb View Post
    Obviously, the two sides bent at different rates when I pulled them together to attach the transom, and one side is further towards center than the other at the stern.
    Next time notch the molds so you can run a string line down the center to measure from as you're pulling the sides in. And after you've done the initial pull using a Spanish Windlass, use two door clamps so you can have their screws opposing each other for better control of the last few inches of pull. In theory, if the sides, mold and transom are cut accurately, none of this matters. But in practice it always seems to.

  28. #28
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    Default Re: What's the effect of an asymetric hull?

    The last job on my dink was to glue and screw the rope rubrail:
    http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...-time-to-build
    You won't see a pic of the bow transom 'cause the last thing I did was to cut the rope to match the other side which ended right below a screw. So I matched the length - but to the wrong screw. My wife said to consider it an Amish mistake. Apparently the Amish always incorporate an error into their work so as not to be seen to challenge the perfection of God. This was pretty funny as, without thinking, I could rhyme off perhaps a hundred errors.
    So be Amish for the day and carry on.

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