Opinions on Double-Enders

[Southern Star]

I have managed to locate the 'Moses' quote by Bob Perry that I referred to earlier:

"I have never bought into the often heard Moses theory that the pointed stern 'parts the waves'. For safety in heavy weather running, I would prefer to see a stern with more bouyancy aft and that's why I used the tumblehome canoe stern as seen on the Valiant yachts. With this shape the volume is pulled as far aft as possible before pinching it together. Certainly bringing the ends together can produce a 'balanced' set of waterlines that may enhance a boat's helm predictability.

I've designed sterns that have ' the shape you love to pat' myself, but I've put those sterns on boats whose sections were full right aft. It is an aesthetic thing, yes, but I make no claims that it makes a boat safer in heavy seaways."

Michael Badham and Robby Robinson, Sailors' Secrets, Camden Maine: International Marine,1999, at p. 193

Brad

[svHannabel]

More good reading from Perry on double enders here: Sail Far Live Free: Double Enders According to Perry (Guest Post by Bob Perry)

[Benz]

How a boat glides through the water, and whether it pitches or rolls excessively is more related to what is under there bow to keelson rather than what shape is above the waterline aft. I think double-enders and canoe sterns are ugly and with a frightful lack of space. The reason they ride well in the sea (some of them), is because they usually have a heavy, long, deep keel, which is what makes a boat worth putting to sea in. Canoe stern or not is (IMO) just a matter of taste--but I find the Lyle Hess and Bill Atkins designs with actual transoms far more appealing.

[OceansFive]

Thanks for posting the link to bob Perry's article on your website - great article and a great website. I'll be visiting often.

As someone with a Tahitiana - the Weston Farmer double-ender, I agree with the comments about the frightful lack of space at the stern. But "Kuan Yin" is what she is, she's taking me where I want to go and, to me, she's aesthetically very lovely.