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Hull Design | Hydrofield
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 Reef
Magic users a Hydrofield hull design.
This design has been around for around twenty years and
is used extensively on vessels as diverse as ferries to
blue water, game fishing boats. They are used by water police
around Australia and in various Ports Authorities both here
and overseas.
What is Hydrofield?
The design features two tunnels that run the length of
the boat and extend in height to just below the waterline.
This results in a major hull and two outboard hulls which
are much smaller. The benefit is four fold.
Firstly the boat is extraordinarily stable. An inherent
danger of fly bridge cruisers is overloading on the top
deck making the vessel unstable and at the extreme, resulting
in capsizes. In the ferry mode the testing authorities were
unable to squeeze enough people onto the top deck to even
begin to rate it. In other words it is impossible
to capsize the vessel in still waters.
Secondly the hull design creates a very stable platform
at anchor, resisting the rolling sensation when swells hit
beam on (other vessels bow waves). It virtually becomes
a “stabilized vessel” similar to large ocean liners.
Thirdly and of great importance in bareboat chartering,
it provides an exceptionally wide beam without the disadvantage
of having multiple hulls so that we can feature true
queen size cabins and beds, full size bathroom and galley.
It also means a great deal of room below decks so we can
store 3000 litres of water and still have miles of room
for dive bottle racks, and other storage.
Fourthly, and not a consideration here, is that at speed
the Hydrofield does not dig in at the stern and lift the
bow. It simply rises as the increased water flow enters
the tunnels and lifts the whole vessel until it is skimming
on the three points of the hull. Very much like a
Hydrofoil Ferry, thus the name, Hydrofield.
So, why doesn’t everybody use them? The answer quite simply
is cost. To use these hulls and create a custom designed
superstructure is about 50% more expensive than buying a
recreational boat and attempting to convert it. It’s like
the difference between using a Holden as a taxi as compared
to a purpose built unit like the London Cab. The Holden
works, but is not as comfortable, as easy to get in and
out of, as strong or as long lasting as the London Cab.
The Holden may last three or four years, the London Cab
for fifteen or twenty.
Reef
Magic, with regular internal upgrades, will be as serviceable
and comfortable in twenty years as it is today.
Click here to read more about Hydrofield
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