Canoe stern vs ????

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by K_V_B

If Colin Archer were alive today he would probably not be designing double enders. His present day colleagues certainly aren't. Life boats nowadays rarely have pointed rears. They often even don't have pointed fronts either. Or are completely round, or square, as all they need to do is stay afloat.

Every design is a compromise that is partly dictated by the constraints the designer is working under. We are not bound by the same constraints as 19th century mariners.

He actually designed several yachts of more contemporary hull form, longer overhangs with a smallish transom.
As for the pilot cutters and rescue boats, with wood construction the double ender form is easier and cheaper to build, and really didn't fall out of favor until engines started coming into use.
The engines of the time being so large/heavy for their power they needed hulls with more volume/buoyancy aft to handle the weight.
"Lifeboats" they were not. The rescue boats at ~47x17x7, and ~30 tons were frequently called upon to take in tow a couple of 25>30' open fishing boats and tow them to safety off of lee shores against wind/wave in atrocious conditions.
The yawl rig was used, the mizzen being used as an "air rudder" as the boats would tack/gybe/back and fill in heavy broken water, circling boats to spread oil and pass tow lines.
They were quite responsive for their heft; they could carry enough sail to maneuver around in truly threatening seas.