Bow and stern

[bg9208]

Coming back into cruising after a long time away, and in search of a blue water liveaboard, I do need reminding about what the various terms for format of bow and stern shapes are. My previous boat had a straight raked stem and a transom stern (a Waterwitch). So what are, Canoe, Cruiser, Sugar scoop - and any others I may have left out, sterns and Clipper and other bow shapes?
Sorry to have to ask what is probably obvious to most members.
TIA

[delmarrey]

Here is a good article to start with.

Good Old Boat: A thing of beauty is a joy forever By Ted Brewer

[bg9208]

Thanks, that answers many of my questions however I don't see the virtues of some of the more modern stern shapes which just seem like bits added on with no function.

[SkiprJohn]

Wow, Del, you are quick. That's exactly what I was going to recommend he look at.
JohnL

[SkiprJohn]

Hi BG,
The very modern wide sugar scoop stern provides an excellent swim step and dinghy landing, more buoyancy and a wider cockpit for an aft cockpit design. It also gives more space below for a large berth in the stern. However, with everthing there is economy. The extra underwater wetted surface does have a bit of drag which is usually made up for by more sail area. Also, with the flat counter the waves slap at anchor and some folks lose sleep at night for the noise. With boat design you might gain something in one area but assuredly will lose something in another.
JohnL

[Alan Wheeler]

I so love thr clipper bow. I think it makes a boat look something real special. It was the thing that attracted me to the first boat we considered buying. But the wife wanted the boat with the name. Actually she was right. That clipper bow vessel would have broken us financialy by now.

[bg9208]

Looks like I now have the answers to my questions, thanks to all of you.
Incidentally, one of the boats which I will be looking at is a Hartley Tahitian, is ther anything in particular I need to look for apart from the usual bits, state of rigging and terminals, see if the sails are in rags or not and make sure the thru hull fittings and the motor are "fit for purpose".

Brian Owen
Home page

[cooper]

Most Hartley Tahitians are ferro. They are usually large volume cruising boats, not particularly fast, but there are hundreds out there...

[David M]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Here is a good article to start with.

Good Old Boat: A thing of beauty is a joy forever By Ted Brewer

Very good article...thanks! It really describes very well what makes a boat look beautiful, or not so beautiful as the case may be.

[Alan Wheeler]

I can only say that the negatives with the Tahitian is that every single one of them is different inside. In otherwords, if you see one that has a bad fitout and layout, don't judge all the others as the same. Even down to the bow. Some have the shear bow like mine and others have the clipper bow.