Stepped Hulls Technology

The stepped hull concept is designed to provide improved efficiency, minimize pre-planing hump and give better all-round handling. The stream of air bubbles combined with the complex variable vee of the hull improves the ride quality and reduces the fatigue.

Stepped hulls have taken time to find favor in the commercial market. Early industry trials had mixed results, and steps were initially utilized only for very fast race boats, as were surface drives. Both were associated with race boats and surface drives have proved that with careful design and understanding they work in the commercial environment of slower heavy boats and offer a good degree of efficiency. It is our belief that stepped hulls will do the same.

We now have 7.3m, 9m, 10m, 11.3m and 12.6 stepped hull models in operation and all are providing impressive performances. These applications include Coastguard, Police, tourism and recreational vessels.

Fundamentally the steps release the hull from the suction of the water and allow the hull shape to do its job without that influence. Steps are utilized on amphibious & float planes for that very reason, allowing them to take off more easily by preventing the suction.

When driving the Naiad stepped hull there is a feeling that the boat slips through the water with an easier motion usually indicated by the feel that boat is slower than the GPS is indicating. At sea, ride quality is usually the main reference to speed and with the improved ride the speed can be deceptive. While the aim is to provide higher speed with more comfort the primary emphasis on our hull designs is their ability to keep working in extreme conditions.