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Q: What is the "Keelform" hull, and how is it different from conventional hulls?

A: The Keelform hull is the result of a science program of the University of British Columbia and Camano Marine. The goal of the program was the development of a hull which:

1. provides more speed with a given engine size;
2. reduces fuel consumption in the most widely used speed range -- between 12 and 18 knots;
3. can be stabilized to prevent the boat from rolling in rough seas without mechanical devices like stabilizers, etc. (Stabilizing should be possible at a low speed to avoid the hard pounding of normal semi-planing and planing hulls. In fact, the Keelform hull of the Camano 31 creates enough dynamic lift to stabilize the boat at a speed of only about 11 knots.)
4. runs 19-20 knots top speed and up to 18 knots cruising speed, with a single 200 hp Diesel engine; (At 8 knots the Camano 31 consumes just over 1.5 gallons of fuel and at 15 knots just over 6 gallons per hour, and it thus offers a fuel economy unmatched by any other hull form.)
5. provides a smooth, dry ride in rough water because of a special flare in the bow section of the Camano 31.

A: Twin engines are not ideal for a real cruising boat because:

1. Engine failures are extremely rare with Diesel engines, and, if they occur, 99% of all cases are due to contaminated fuel. Contaminated fuel, however, would shut down both engines anyway.
2. Two engines entail considerably higher cost and maintenance. In addition, the space restrictions in small cruising boats leave very little room for service work on two engines, thus creating additional sources of problems.
3. Twin engines mean free wheeling propeller shafts and propellers, a significant risk factor in today's debris-strewn waters.
4. Running aground with a twin engine boat usually damages both props and prop shafts, even if the boat has a keel, since it will rock and roll from one side to the other. Prop, prop shaft and rudder of the Camano, on the other hand, are well protected by a heavily reinforced skeg and keel shoe. Running aground with the Camano 31 is, therefore, far less of a problem.
5. The Camano 31 comes with a powerful bow thruster offering superb maneuverability when in tight spots.
6. Note: Commercial boats and fishing vessels which operate year-round and in all kinds of weather conditions usually have only one diesel engine!

A: All major production boat builders' brochures talk about "hand-laid fiberglass" or "hand-laid fiberglass construction." However, in fact, they all use chopper guns to replace the traditional fiberglass mats by "chopped strand," which are only two inch long glass fibers wetted with resin by the "chopper gun," and sprayed into the mold. Only the woven rovings are rolled or "laid in" by hand.

So what is wrong with this process? Well, number one: A 100% hand-laid hull of the same thickness has about three times the impact strength of the production boat hull. Number two: Because of price considerations, the hull of typical production boats are built with just enough thickness to withstand normal use; you better not dare go through serious weather, run into a submerged log, not to mention running into reef or rock!

The hull of the Camano 31 is not only 100% hand-laid, with no "chopped strand," but is also thicker than the hulls of most production boats of similar size.

In addition, the boat has a very strong inner liner laminated into the lower portion of the hull; the bulkheads are thoroughly laminated into place from both sides, as are the other parts of the interior, rather than simply being held into place by small metal brackets and screws as is the case in production boats.

Summary: The impact and tear strength of a Camano hull is up to ten times higher than the hulls of most production boats!!

Few and far in between are the days with no wind and a mirror like sea, the only condition you can run a planing hull fast and still be comfortable (except with the fuel consumption).

At the more prevalent conditions, however, with say 10-15 knots of wind and 3-4 foot seas there is practically no speed difference between say a 35-40ft planing boat and a Camano 31 since the planing boat has to slow down to about 16-18 MPH to avoid pounding, while the Camano 31 will increase its speed to about 17-18 MPH since at this speed she provides a very comfortable and amazingly dry ride in such conditions.

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