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Tunnel hulls are a type of boat hull that uses two planing hulls with a solid centre that traps air, creating aerodynamic lift. This allows the boat to get on top of the water, rather than ploughing through it, and makes it faster. Tunnel hulls are distinguishable from other catamarans by the close hull spacing and solid deck in between the hulls. They are used in Formula 1 powerboats, which have a tunnel hull catamaran design allowing them to go faster. Tunnel hulls are also used in fishing boats, as they allow the boat to run shallower without the lower unit running aground.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A tunnel hull is a type of boat hull that uses two typically planing hulls with a solid centre that traps air. |
| Advantages | Faster than a typical V-bottom; runs better in moderate chop; allows the air to get under the boat and the boat to get up on top of the water; runs shallower holeshot; used for fishing flats. |
| Disadvantages | Less efficient due to more wetted surface area; easier to get into trouble; easier to lose water pressure and overheat engine; steering is different from non-tunnel boats. |
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What You'll Learn
- Tunnel hulls allow air to get under the boat, so it sits on top of the water
- Tunnel hulls are faster than a typical V-bottom boat
- Tunnel hulls are distinguishable from other catamarans by their close hull spacing and solid deck
- Tunnel hulls are more likely to blow over at high speeds
- Tunnel hulls are less efficient than other boats due to more wetted surface area
Tunnel hulls allow air to get under the boat, so it sits on top of the water
Tunnel hulls are a type of boat hull that uses two planing hulls with a solid centre that traps air. This trapped air creates aerodynamic lift, in addition to the planing (hydrodynamic) lift from the hulls. This means that tunnel hulls allow air to get under the boat, so it sits on top of the water, rather than plowing through it. This makes tunnel hull boats faster, power for power, than a typical V-bottom boat. Tunnel hulls are also distinguishable from other catamarans by the typical close hull spacing and solid deck in between the hulls.
Tunnel hulls are great for fishing flats as they allow the boat to run shallower without the lower unit running aground. Tunnel hulls are also used in Formula 1 powerboats, allowing them to go faster. However, tunnel hulls are less efficient due to more wetted surface area, and they are easier to get into trouble as they can come off plane into a hard aground situation. Tunnel owners often run stern lifting props, such as low rake cleavers, to hold the stern of the boat in the air.
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Tunnel hulls are faster than a typical V-bottom boat
However, tunnel hulls are not always faster than V-bottom boats. They are less efficient due to their greater wetted surface area, and they are more likely to blow over at high speeds. They are also more difficult to steer, especially in skinny water.
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Tunnel hulls are distinguishable from other catamarans by their close hull spacing and solid deck
Theoretical research and full-scale testing of tunnel hulls have demonstrated the dramatic contributions of 'close-proximity ground effect' on enhanced aerodynamic lift/drag in operation of performance tunnel hull designs. Tunnel hulls are susceptible to blow over threats if the speed is significant. Tunnel owners often run stern lifting props, such as low rake cleavers, to hold the stern of the boat in the air. The bow will hold itself up once it has enough speed to fly as the body of the hull forms a wing. Tunnel hulls are less efficient due to more wetted surface area. They are also more likely to come off plane into a hard aground situation.
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Tunnel hulls are more likely to blow over at high speeds
Tunnel hulls are a type of boat hull that uses two planing hulls with a solid centre that traps air. This creates aerodynamic lift in addition to the planing (hydrodynamic) lift from the hulls. Tunnel hulls are faster than a typical V-bottom boat because they allow the air to get under the boat, meaning the boat gets up on top of the water rather than plowing through it.
However, tunnel hulls are more likely to blow over at high speeds. This is because anything that increases hull pitch is a potential blow-over threat if the speed is significant. Tunnel hulls often have a low centre of gravity, which can cause the stern to fall if the throttle is released quickly, increasing the pitch and potentially causing the boat to blow over backwards. This can be a deadly mistake, and it is difficult to learn not to get out of the throttle too quickly when something scares you.
Tunnel hulls are also less efficient than other hull types due to their greater wetted surface area, which increases drag. They are more specialised than other hull types and therefore have different steering characteristics. They are also more likely to run aground, and it is easier to lose water pressure and overheat the engine.
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Tunnel hulls are less efficient than other boats due to more wetted surface area
Tunnel hulls are a type of boat hull that uses two typically planing hulls with a solid centre that traps air. This creates aerodynamic lift in addition to the planing (hydrodynamic) lift from the hulls. Tunnel hulls are distinguishable from other catamarans by the typical close hull spacing and solid deck in between the hulls.
Tunnel hulls are often used for fishing flats, as they allow the boat to run shallower without the lower unit running aground. They are also faster, power for power, than a typical V-bottom boat. Formula 1 powerboats have a tunnel hull catamaran design, which allows them to go faster.
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Frequently asked questions
A tunnel hull is a type of boat hull that uses two typically planing hulls with a solid centre that traps air. This creates aerodynamic lift in addition to the planing (hydrodynamic) lift from the hulls.
Tunnel hulls trap air under the boat, allowing the boat to get up on top of the water rather than plowing through it. This makes them faster than a typical V-bottom.
Tunnel hulls have the pro of being faster and running shallower holeshot. However, they are less efficient due to more wetted surface area, and are easier to get into trouble and lose water pressure.
