Which hull design is this?

[alexr254]

This is a picture of my 1987 Imperial 260FC. I am not really sure what this hull design is called, i am fairly new to these types of boats.

I hope this picture is good enough to tell, if not please let me know what pictures i should take.

Thanks!!

Is this called a deep V?

Also what is the basic opinion of this type of hull? Handles well in choppy waters? Not so stable? etc

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Which hull design is this?

I am NOT an expert by any stretch, but looks like a deep V to me. Should cut through the chop nicely. As far as stability goes, guess you'll soon find out! Think a lot depends on your beam, weight, distribution and, of course, the conditions!

Looks as though your daughter (I presume) will need a step ladder to help you wax it!!

Congrats and good luck.

 

[oops!]

Re: Which hull design is this?

yep...its a v hull....

depending on the size of the boat it can be very sturdy in larger water....

there were some problems with the 25-27 class that had single drives.....they were right in between needing twin motors....and had some stableization issues.
for the most part.....trim tabs solved this.

take more pics....including an overall shot from the side....and one from the stern, so we can see what you are running for drives and wiether or not you have tabs or sponson pods.

but on the overall....you should be good in bigger water......but if you car new to boating......dont go far from shore till you can handle the boat....

also.....a power squadron course will help any one immensely......you can take advanced coursed as well.

i would also suggest that you get hold of the manufacturer of the boat.....and either download or get sent the complete owners manuals of the craft.....in the larger mini yacht class......the manuals were of tremendous help to any one that owned one.....

things like the location of the sump pumps....where the fresh water tanks are and including electrical schematics.

cheers
oops

 

[oops!]

Re: Which hull design is this?

btw....i would also like to see a closer pic of the side of the boat.....the color seems to be .......different.
possibly it just need a good compounding

 

[alexr254]

Re: Which hull design is this?

The boat has a 10ft beam and is powered by 2 mercruisers 3.7ltr. Weight of the boat according to blue book values is 5300lbs (i think its much more then that). I have yet to put her in the water since i am in the process of rebuilding both engines.. but i would like to at least somewhat know what to expect before she goes in. There is no chance i will be going out in choppy waters anytime soon, i will be starting in the intercoastal waterways in FL, and possibly large rivers here.

She needs a good paint job for sure...

 

[JoLin]

Re: Which hull design is this?

Yes, that's a V-hull. The boat's type is what's known as an Express Cruiser (like my Four Winns). Here's a 'formal' definition from wikipedia:

An Express Cruiser is a fast cruising boat. To distinguish it from a cabin cruiser boat, it has a full head, a galley, sleeping space with two to six berths. There are large open areas near the steering area and in the back of the boat. There can be one or two powerful engines and it can be a good family boat for outings up to a couple of days when the relatively cramped indoor areas start to become confining. Express cruisers range in size from 25 feet to 45 feet.

Best of luck!

 

[alexr254]

Re: Which hull design is this?

Here is a pic of the starboard side.

I will get more pics later today The boat does have tabs. And has 2 outdrives, which i am still unsure of the make/model, i have not gotten up to testing yet. I will post of a pic of one soon for identification.

This boat was used last year, but was kept dry docked for almost 12 months on bricks... left open... So when i picked up the boat you can imagine it was dirty as heck. But overall everything looked to be in good shape and the transom and stringers are all in great shape.

 

[oops!]

Re: Which hull design is this?

if the boat has not been preivioulsy painted.....the gellcoat can be brought back to show room new with a little elbow grease and some proper gleecoat compounds.

it also looks like it needs new bottom paint, this is commonly refered to as anti fouling paint.

you will have to sand off some of the bottom paint with a 120 grit sand paper on a orbital sander......just make sure all the high ridges of the last few coats are knocked down and the flaking stuff is off......then you can bottom paint it.....it will look very nice with polished gellcoat and new bottom paint..... you can do the whole boat....gell and bottom paint for under 300 bux

 

[alexr254]

Re: Which hull design is this?

Many summers ago i had a 21ft glasstron cuddy cabin for a few years powered by one 165hp mercruiser. This is a completely different class of boat i know, but i do have "some" experience with boating. This boat does indeed have a full head, sleeps 6, kitchen, etc. etc.
I have many cool projects in store for her, putting in some cool electronics, redoing the kitchen completely to a nice euro style design. And i do plan on getting a completely new paint job. Although the original coat may be renewable, there are alot of dry cracks which i dont think can be easily taken out.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Which hull design is this?

I used to sell that boat ... LOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG time ago (haven't sold boats in close to 15 years). Imperial wasn't a line we held too much inventory on, but at each year's boat shows we'd have a couple of the 26' boats at least.

It was a beamy boat (10 ft.) and HEAVY (don't recall how heavy, but 6,000 lbs seems in the ballpark). Imperial was kind of a funny brand. While they were around, they built a pretty nice boat - and I think they were rather underrated. She should be very stable in the water, but probably not a performance boat by any stretch. They are definitely more the "lazy" boat, but I thought they were very comfortable. The beam and weight will make for expensive stable feed (especially with gas prices what they are), but nice stable boating even in rougher water.

I don't remember how they did getting on plane. With a cruiser like that planing is a "sort-of" proposition. Yes, it's getting on top of the water, but it's displacing a lot of it along the way. It'll handle like a big heavy boat. But I think you'll like it.

Get it cleaned up and enjoy!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Which hull design is this?

The boat has a 10ft beam and is powered by 2 mercruisers 3.7ltr. Weight of the boat according to blue book values is 5300lbs (i think its much more then that). I have yet to put her in the water since i am in the process of rebuilding both engines.. but i would like to at least somewhat know what to expect before she goes in. There is no chance i will be going out in choppy waters anytime soon, i will be starting in the intercoastal waterways in FL, and possibly large rivers here.

She needs a good paint job for sure...

I'd guess she weighs 6500-7000 lbs. dry. As for what to expect, it isn't an 'ocean' boat, though you can go virtually anywhere on a nice day. Honestly, in most cases I've found that the passengers (including me) will give it up for the day before the boat is in any danger. You'll learn as you go, what conditions yours is best suited for.

 

[alexr254]

Re: Which hull design is this?

I was having debates with my father about if this boat, if launched from west palm beach, can make it to freeport bahamas. I am skeptical, but he says its not a problem as long as you have the proper equipment on board and have some experience.

although i agree on the experience and equipment part, i am not sure this boat can handle a trip like that.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Which hull design is this?

MAn, I think I'd skip rebuilding the 3.7L's and go with the 4.3L's. Probably pretty close on the fuel consumption between the two and the 4.3L's make a good deal more power and have abundant parts availability.

 

[alexr254]

Re: Which hull design is this?

I have heard that alot about the 3.7's. But were just about done with the rebuilds, and i am happy with the 3.7's, we havent ran into any problems finding parts we needed, and upgraded the charging and will upgrade the ingition system soon. I have found alot of naysayers about the mercruiser 470's and i also found alot of enthusiasts. I am neither, i just go with what i got and make the best of it.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Which hull design is this?

I was having debates with my father about if this boat, if launched from west palm beach, can make it to freeport bahamas. I am skeptical, but he says its not a problem as long as you have the proper equipment on board and have some experience.

although i agree on the experience and equipment part, i am not sure this boat can handle a trip like that.

I don't know the Atlantic well enough to tell you what the water is like. That distance (I'm talking pure miles) on Lake Huron or Michigan in that boat wouldn't concern me if that helps. The great lakes can get mean quickly, but I don't know how different they are from the ocean. YES - you need some experience to do that type of trip. However, at least the distance on the two great lakes that I'm familiar with wouldn't concern me.

If that helps any.

 

[alexr254]

Re: Which hull design is this?

southkogs:
Thanks for the input, i am definately the 'lazy' type so this boat suits me well. I dont care to go extremely fast, or jump over waves... I am mostly concerned about stability and comfort for my wife and kids. And as it sounds i choosed right. Gas is always a concern on any boat, me spending $20 more a trip will not kill me. I always say "if gas is a concern dont own a boat...."

I would really like to hear from someone who has made a trip to the bahamas on a express cruiser, if they would feel comfy in a boat like mine.

 

[oops!]

Re: Which hull design is this?

woah.......hang on here......a trip like that needs an experienced captain.

there was a thread here called can i die.....(i just searched it and it wont come up) that was all about non experienced captains taking longer trips......good thread.

but......if that boat had the fuel.....on a calm day it could make hawaii......but...if seas get rough.....it wont make it across the bay.

dont try that trip unless you have someone that knows the water as captain.

 

[alexr254]

Re: Which hull design is this?

woah.......hang on here......a trip like that needs an experienced captain.

there was a thread here called can i die.....(i just searched it and it wont come up) that was all about non experienced captains taking longer trips......good thread.

but......if that boat had the fuel.....on a calm day it could make hawaii......but...if seas get rough.....it wont make it across the bay.

dont try that trip unless you have someone that knows the water as captain.

no doubt about that, i would never attempt a trip like this alone, without boater buddies, or with so-so weather conditions. It was only a hypothetical, i would never put my or anyone elses life at risk for something so silly. The dabate was more of a "is this boat cool enough" type of debate, not a "are we cool enough" type.

 

[oops!]

Re: Which hull design is this?

nothing to do with cool enough bud.....just we are sick of bring dead bodies back to the dock.

if that boat has the fuel range...it will make it easy on a good day with a good captain......in rough seas....it all about the captain and the working condition of the boat

 

[alexr254]

Re: Which hull design is this?

Gotcha. And truly appreciate the concern, and i also completely agree that inexperienced boaters should study their course, take lessons and build up real life experience before attempting any questionable trip.

That said, i know now this is indeed a deep V, and should be somewhat stable in semi-choppy waters.

Cant wait to get her out on the water where she belongs!!