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Stepped Hulls
by Derek Ferguson
Stepped hulls are relatively new considering humans have been using boats since the
dawn of man. In only 100 years these new hulls have revolutionized planing hulls. Boats arent
the most environmentally friendly machines out there, but stepped hulls are increasing their
efficiency in an increasingly environmentally conscience world. However, stepped hulls are
lacking in their handling which can lead to dangerous consequences. Looking to the future it is
possible that more types of boats will be built with stepped hulls as designs are refined and
developed to ensure safety.
What is a stepped hull and how does it work? A stepped hull has sections taken/cut from
the bottom of a boats hull usually starting near amidships to the stern as shown in Figure 1. The
reason why this design was implemented is because the steps decrease the amount of water that
is in contact with the hull. This type of hull has been around since 1910 when they were
implemented to increase efficiency and performance in high performance racing hydroplanes.
These new radical fast steppers were revolutionary [2]. They had a single step located
amidships that allowed them to skim over the surface of the water. The addition of the step
reduced friction when coming on plane and allowed the boats to go faster than ever before.
Stepped hulls have been adapting over the last century and now there are numerous variations,
shapes, and numbers of steps being implemented. The increase in speed is about 10 to 15% for
stepped hulls over non-stepped hulls [3].

Figure 1: A 29 foot Outerlimits Offshore Powerboat features 5 steps in its hull [1].

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Figure 2: Visual representation of how two steps change the amount of wetted
surface on a boat [3].
Stepped hulls were originally developed to help propel monohull powerboats through the
water, but today numerous kinds of boats use stepped hulls. For example, famous racing
catamarans such as Miss Geico feature numerous steps on each side of their hull. Catamaran
steps work the same way as a single hull boats, but they are simply split in half along the keel.
However, boats are not the only vehicles that employ a stepped hull. Seaplanes have long used
stepped hulls. The step on the bottom of a seaplane will reduce the adhesive properties of the
water; thus making takeoff easier by generating greater lift and decreasing drag with the water
[4].
The more lift a boat has, the easier it is for the boat to reach plane. Lift production is
more efficient when there is a smaller length to beam ratio. In a stepped hull the wetted surface is
broken up into multiple sections from the steps; therefore, the length to beam ratio is broken up
into two or more sections as shown in Figure 2. Whereas in a non-stepped hull the length to
beam ratio is not broken up and is greater than the stepped hull. Therefore, non-stepped hulls
have less lift and have more difficulty reaching plane compared to stepped hulls [3].

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There are a few notable drawbacks of stepped hulls. When turning the wetted surface can
change, this consequently changes the placement of the lifting force. The result of this could
result in a loss of lift or even a hook accident [5]. A hook accident occurs when the bow digs into
the water which in turn causes the stern to rise out of the water. Eventually the stern will kick
outwards and cause the boat to spin out. Another drawback is that the boat will feel less stable
due to the fact that there is less water in contact with the boat to support it [6]. Finally, at lower
speeds a stepped hull will experience more drag because the steps are not being aerated
optimally. Optimal aeration occurs while on plane and varies for every vessel [7].
Which is better: a traditional V bottom boat with or without steps? To summarize,
stepped hulls increase speed and efficiency when the steps cause air pockets to form just aft of
the steps. Stepped hulls generally feel lighter and easier to turn. However, they are actually more
difficult to turn due to the higher risk of spinning out from the reduced wetted surface. On the
other hand, standard V bottom hulls without steps do not carry the high risk of spinning out when
turning at high speeds, but they are less efficient and cannot travel at the same speeds [6]. Both
have their advantages and disadvantages, but each user would have to make the decision based
on their individual needs.
Currently the advancement in stepped hulls is trying to fine tune the size, amount, and
placement of the steps in order to get the greatest performance possible. Leading this research are
naval architects such as Michael Peters Yacht Design [8]. Current stepped hulls are developed
through models and guessing in order to find the optimal placement of the steps [5]. More
research is necessary in order to find the perfect placement/spacing of steps and the correct
number of them. Once this research is completed it could increase the favor to stepped hulls over
non-stepped hulls. Perfect placement could increase efficiency and speed even more than the
current 10-15%. The perfect placement is different for nearly every boat. Step placement is based
on the ideal trim angle and the optimal velocity. Trim angle is the angle at which the drag is
minimized and the lift is maximized, typically measuring around 3 or 4 degrees [9].
Stepped hulls can only be implemented on ships that can reach plane. Plane is when the
boat rises up and seems to ride on top of the water instead of surging through it. Large vessels
such as cargo ships, cruise ships, and aircraft carriers will not be able to reach plane. However,

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swift moving ferries could be the next frontier for stepped hulls. Ferries with enough power
should be able to reach plane and benefit from stepped hulls speed and efficiency.
The idea of stepped hulls has been revolutionary for the boating industry. Boat builders
will continue to innovate new ways to implement stepped hulls to improve the speed, safety, and
efficiency of vessels. In the century of stepped hulls existence there has been immense progress
which will continue in the future. In the future everything from yachts to ferries to racing
powerboats will be affected by developments in the stepped hull. The stepped hull has numerous
implementations for the future.

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Reference
1. "SV 29." Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.outerlimitspowerboats.com/SV29.htm>.
2. Farley, Fred. "Stepped Hull Design." The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum.
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.thunderboats.org/history/history0473.html>.
3. Potgieter, Kobus. "Understanding Design and Performance of Stepped Hulls." KND
Naval Architects. N.p., Feb. 2007. Web. 26 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.navaldesign.co.za/articles.html>.
4. "Seaplane Characteristics." Pilot Friend. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.pilotfriend.com/training/flight_training/seaplanes/char.htm>.
5. Sorensen, Eric. "The Stepped Hull Has Come of Age." Soundings Dec. 2011: n. pag.
Soundings. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://www.soundingsonline.com/boat-shop/onpowerboats/287360-the-stepped-hull-has-come-of-age>.
6. Rudow, Lenny. "Stepped Hulls vs. Traditional V Bottom: Everything you Need to
Know." Boats.com. N.p., 9 May 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
<http://blog.boats.com/2012/05/stepped-hulls-vs-traditional-v-bottom-everything-youneed-to-know/#.UoEjzBCQN2E>.
7. Russell, Jim. "Step by Step." Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design. N.p.: AeroMarine Research,
n.d. AeroMarine Research. Web. 26 Sept. 2013. <http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/>.
8. Sorensen, Eric. "Passing the Stepped-Hull Test." Soundings Dec. 2011: n. pag.
Soundings. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://www.soundingsonline.com/boat-shop/onpowerboats/287358-passing-the-stepped-hull-test>.
9. Landry, Chris. "Market Sees Surge in Stepped-Hull Designs." Trade Only Today 24 Oct.
2013: n. pag. Trade Only Today. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/527173-video-market-sees-surge-in-stepped-uphull-designs>.