VDH Hull on Sailfish Boats

[84 Master Angler]

Don't get me wrong, I do love the old SeaCrafts, and learned a lot from many on this board - which is why I still lurk around. And Dear Capt, I hardly think those that own a classic pre-80's Seacraft are the only ones who frequent this site. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

But all I see is that another manufactuer took an unbeatable hull design, stretched it and made it an unbelievably dry boat. I had my dad on it yesterday - and he owned the other SeaCrafts I mentioned, and all he said was wow, nice boat and great ride (he owns a regulator now). My only quasi-complaint about the boat is that the console is too HUGE, but with built in tackle storage, walk in console with marine head and decent access to electronics in the console I gues I can't complain. The enclosed transom with built in bait well and a small transom door are also hard to beat. So the boat takes care of my fishing needs an has enough creature comforts to satisfy my wife. If I had 50k to re-do a SeaCraft or the 38 K for the Sailfish, boat alone, it would be a tough decision.

Strick - I hear ya - But I can't do what you do to fiberglass. Your boat is truly a gem.

[Capt Chuck]

84 MA

The point is that this is a "Classic SeaCraft" site. You posted a comment on this site that

I/my family have also owned an early 70's 23 SeaCraft with twin 165 merc in/out brd and a 84 23 with a 225 outboard and (blasphemy) "I personally like this boat better"

I don't think that is appropriate here. If you want to discuss how much you like another boat then comments and boat comparisons can be made on the "The Hull Truth" forum site. You made your comments under the SeaCraft "General Thread" which clearly states:

General questions or comments about "classic" SeaCraft boats built from the 1960's to the early 1980's

Secondly

<font color="brown"> But all I see is that another manufactuer took an unbeatable hull design, stretched it and made it an unbelievably dry boat.

I'm not trying to start a pissing contest here but Sailfish didn't stretch anything. Many boat manufactures claim to have the magic hull design, the softest re-entry, more hand laid glass, best features for the money etc etc etc. All in the name of generating more sales. Many have come and gone. Bottom line is how many of these manufactures have a proven track record ? I can't wait to see www.classicbayliner.com [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[joey]

You would be surprised at what a difference that little strake makes,that's why it's there.And it has nothing to do with making it any drier,23 foot boats are not dry.It's there for lift and softer ride.

[RS]

You would be surprised at what a difference that little strake makes,that's why it's there.And it has nothing to do with making it any drier,23 foot boats are not dry.It's there for lift and softer ride.

I don't know much about hull design, but that little section is already out of the water when the boat is at rest, and most boats don't need any help lifting the bow when underway. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[nestorpr]

That extra strake is only on the 23, the 20 Seafari doesn't have it.

[Ikan Besar]

That extra strake is only on the 23

It's on the 18's as well.

[Fr. Frank]

With a couple of exceptions, this post was rather fun. Little did I know.

Still a Classic SeaCraft fan with a '72 Seafari 20'

[TUGBOAT]

I Just had a Wonderful stay at one of the mo$t Ex$pen$ive & Restfull resorts You can visit. While Re$ting I did a lil' & I mean lil' reading ,In the Oct.05 Sportfishing magazine I ran across the ad for sailfish boats.Now that I'm at Home & not in the MOOD to copy the ad or Scan
it here 's a lil' bit of what caught My relaxing mind.
You'll experiance the softest ride with OUR legendary sailfish VDS4 variable deadrise stepped hull, the best performing driest, and most fuel efficient hull in sailfish history. ? Did I read this right ? OK, so I go to their web site. theres mention of the hull a few times thru out the site. The best part is a test report.Just copied the most of it instead of typing.Sailfish news,.....Sailfish 238CC, Boat Test and Review / Feb. 2004 by Tom Marlowe - Thursday, March 18, 2004
When is the last time you took a test ride on a boat, and said “Wow!”? That was my impression when I rode the Sailfish 238CC. This is absolutely the best riding boat in its class I’ve ever been in. Not only is it an outstanding ride, it handles great as well and is as dry as a center console can be. These are some strong claims and we all know that usually if it sounds too good to be true, you know the rest of the story. So, what to give it such superb qualities?



Bulking is the use of relatively inexpensive fiberglass material to achieve stiffness and weight, thereby contributing to the ride quality. I’m sure you can see the drawbacks of this method, again, poor performance and poor economy.



Both of these methods have serious drawbacks, so again, what does Sailfish do to overcome this and make me say Wow? It is in the hull design. . Their design is a laterally stepped hull. This differs from the latest rage in speedboats, that being the hull that is stepped longitudinally, or from front to rear. This is a great way to make a hull run extremely fast, and it does nothing to contribute to tracking at low speeds. The lateral steps do it all. They increase speed by reducing drag, they are stable in all sea conditions, and they improve tracking at low speed, not to mention the softening effect they have on the ride. But Sailfish took the original idea and improved on it. They took the outside edges of the steps and turned them down slightly. This simple change created even less surface contact at higher speeds. Reducing surface contact is the single most important contributing factor in speed and economy, but in this case





I hope gives you a simple understanding of what makes the in the ride department, but what about that uncanny ability to track true at any speed? Those steps going outward on the bottom of the boat also form two very effective rudders on each side of the boat. Anyone who ever fought the wheel trying to hold a true course while trolling baits will love these boats. Those rudders are effective at any speed so crossing boat wakes is as simple as holding a course on the way out to the fishing grounds. Don’t just take my word for it though, take a test ride and prepare to be impressed.
Tom Marlowe
Professional Saltwater Angler & Freelance Writer
Tom Marlowe ? Seems like He may have read & COPIED a few old ads from Seacraft or from this board! Some of the ol' Timers here may remeber a post explaing this some times back.Its amazing how They seem to bash or state that Others cannont build a Hull that will perform in all areas of boating, But tell You They got the design somewhere else ? & Improved it ?I'm sure if I had time to look & surf Their site I would find plenty of Copied data. Finster look thru those ads Your working on.Not only do They have to copy a Hull They have to Hire someone to Copy the eXplanations on how the Hull is built & works! I 've had Lures even My Frenzie name taken changed & it really pSSSSya off. Man0Man get Your on &^$#%^ crap!
Wait till these copy cats get to the Gates of ? & find their on their On !
They've been around for 20 years now & I guess they have to ride on someone else wake to make it.
Time to rest more ! [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]
Scream'n reels'
Tug
Had some of the Good stuff highlighted but it didn't work? You can read the copied info

[ScottM]

Brad,
Glad to hear you're back home and doing well. I'm sure that "resort" was loads of fun. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

With regards to your post, I think one thing some of us may forget is that the VDH patent that Carl Moesley established in the 60's expired many years ago, leaving the door open for other builders to use the design. Of course these other builders are going to regurgitate some of the catch phrases and tag lines from Potter-era ads because what else can you say about a great hull design? They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and I strongly believe it in this case. Those of you with original Potter boats should feel priveleged and flattered when other boats are buzzing by using the same hull, and not get bent out of shape because they are "copycats". Just my $.02.

[TUGBOAT]

Hey Scott,Thanks feel Much better! I had read that when I first entered & it kinda went down as time went. Just that the WE , OUR , LEGENDARY as in Their part kinda Turns Your gut. Copy everything & put it into what Ya call Your OWN words is another part.Just give credit due to where it belongs. A work asscociate just bought one(SF) & said it was SailFish's New Hull Design. Guess HE met a Salesman.Nice Boat.
"They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" Untill This happens to Anyone Personally then its only a Good sounding apology !Trust Me I've been there & will be again.I only was going to post the one script from the ad , but had some time after 1 this am.Read their site & eXploded from well Ya'll got the message.Yep the "RESORT" was Sweeeett! Everything Catered to Ya! Never left the Room / Bed ! Plenty of rest. No Beach nor Boating but then, when You can have that much fun inside Why Go OUT ? !
See Ya !
Tug [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]