Evolution Of The Deep V Hull
Doug Zurn Picks Up Where Huckins Left Off ?
Doug Zurn appears to have drawn inspiration from the work of pioneers like Frank Pembroke Huckins at least visually. When you look at pne of Zurns examples you can’t help but see echoes of a Huckins “Atlantic” of a Huckins “Sportsman”. One might say that a Zurn design is an evolution of what Huckins might look like in the 21’st century. Intentional or not As CAD (computer animated drawings) and modern technologies have advanced our understanding of fluid dynamics engineers are always finding new and improved ways to make being at sea just as desirable as reaching the destination.
Zurn is a renowned yacht designer known for his innovative and efficient hull designs. While Zurn has not explicitly stated that he took specific concepts from Huckins or even C. Raymond Hunt, his designs have certainly been influenced by the work of these pioneers. Enter his own innovative interpretation of the V Hull.
Zurn Yacht Design founded in 1993 has since been involved in the design of a wide range of vessels, from small powerboats to large sailing yachts. Zurn's designs are characterized by their performance, fuel efficiency, and stability, making them highly desirable in the yachting community. His work with MJM Yachts on models like the 35z, 43z, and 50z has been particularly notable, showcasing his ability to blend performance and efficiency with modern design principles.
The deep-V hull pioneered by C. Raymond Hunt sought to improves stability, maneuverability, and seaworthiness, especially in rough waters. It allows boats to cut through waves instead of riding over them, resulting in a smoother ride. Zurn refined the classic deep-V hull design by optimizing it for improved performance, efficiency, and seakeeping abilities. Zurn’s hulls often feature a sharper entry angle and a more gradual deadrise, enhancing their ability to cut through waves and provide an even smoother ride.
Zurn's designs prioritize stability, with boats like the MJM 50z earning ISO Category A Ocean Certification for their lower center of gravity and stability, which contribute to a safer and more comfortable cruising experience (source: southernboating.com).
The MJM 35z and 43z, are versatile and adaptable to different environments. They offer shallow draft capabilities for beaching and running in shallow waters, while also performing well in deep water and rough sea conditions (source: zurnyachts.com).
The modern iterations of “Down East” boat designs have done away with the keel which makes drafting into shallower waters possible while also allow the boat to plane much faster. Frank Huckins was arguably one of the first to abandon the Keel in favor of what has now known as the “Quadraconic Hull” which implements a concave section of the hull creating “air pockets” giving the hull more lift. One could argue Huckins was one of the fist to create the first “step lift” type of design.
Doug explains in detail many of the attributes of what makes a stable and efficient hull in a video interview on the MJM boat channel. Dynamic stability, dead rise, vertical center of gravity and longitudinal center of gravity are among some of the key talking points in the presentation.
Some key similarities between the Huckins and Zurn hulls is that they get to plane at lower speeds than most conventional boats and minimize motion characteristics that would make passengers uncomfortable.