New to this site guys.. Been reading re GW boats. Thought I read GW s have level flotation. Does this mean they are unsinkable like Boston Whaler??
Level flotation
- Thread starter johndonn
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Boston Whaler is a fully foamed boat using structural foam as part of its overall hull design.......GW uses a stringer grid system but then fills most of the cavities around the stringers with floatation foam, not structural foam.......it will float at or near the surface but maybe not as high in the water as a Whaler.
"Level flotation' means the hull will float upright in calm water with some portion of the hull at/above water level. No boat is 'unsinkable', just ask Cap'n Smith ... :?
wahoo33417
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I believe that all boats under 20' are required to provide "upright and level flotation", i.e., the gunnels would be above water if you drill a hole in the bottom and let the boat settle gently. All Grady's under 20' meet that requirement.
I don't count on the "upright and level" provision. I suspect that if I get in that much trouble, it's likely that the seas are big enough to roll a boat sitting so low in the water.
When the old 'Powerboat Reports' was still in publication, I would occassionally read about recalls because the Coast Guard pulled a rare surprise inspection and found that some manufacturers (not Grady and typically not any highly regarded brand) were not putting in enough foam.
Grady goes one step beyond the legal requirement and states that all boats over 20' have 'basic' flotation, i.e., some portion of the hull will be above the waterline, but not necessarily "upright and level".
Rob
I don't count on the "upright and level" provision. I suspect that if I get in that much trouble, it's likely that the seas are big enough to roll a boat sitting so low in the water.
When the old 'Powerboat Reports' was still in publication, I would occassionally read about recalls because the Coast Guard pulled a rare surprise inspection and found that some manufacturers (not Grady and typically not any highly regarded brand) were not putting in enough foam.
Grady goes one step beyond the legal requirement and states that all boats over 20' have 'basic' flotation, i.e., some portion of the hull will be above the waterline, but not necessarily "upright and level".
Rob