Boat Design
It can feel challenging to decide on which boat is best for you. A boat’s design directly impacts how it handles on the water. A boat that is built for speed allows you to paddle fast with less effort, whereas a boat built for maneuverability makes turns quickly and easily. Understanding the different design elements will help you narrow down your options and make a more informed decision. The most apparent characteristics of our different models are length, beam, and profile, but understanding terms like tracking and initial stability are also important. Below, we have a brief description of these characteristics as well as a list of terminology to help you compare the options, so you may get that perfect fit.
Boat Characteristics
What is a Pack Boat?
Pack boats were developed over 150 years ago as short, lightweight craft designed to be maneuverable and easy to portage in the backwoods of the Adirondacks
Simply put, a pack boat is a small open topped canoe, with a kayak style seat.
The user sits on the floor of the craft and uses a double bladed paddle.
Boat Dimensions
Length
The distance from the stern to the bow; this measurement has a big impact on performance. With everything else the same, the longer a boat is, the faster it moves, the better it tracks in a straight line, and the more weight it can carry. The trade off is with maneuverability, a longer boat has more difficulty making tight turns or responding as quickly as some paddling conditions demand. That doesn’t mean a longer boat will be hard to steer, it just might not be the best choice for things like whitewater or a meandering river. For most uses, you may find that the efficiency gained in tracking will outweigh any extra effort necessary for steering.
Beam
The width measured at the widest part of the boat. When fully loaded, a boats waterline should be 5-7” below the top of the gunwale. The displacement that is created at this point tells a lot about the boat's performance. A narrow boat tends to be faster but less stable, whereas a wider boat provides more stability at the expense of some efficiency.
Profile
The depth of the boat measured in three places; the bow, stern and center. The affects of this are subtle. Increasing the depth can provide more carrying capacity, and add free board, allowing the boat to handle waves and wind better. However, making a boat too deep can make the boat heavier, less responsive in wind, and more uncomfortable to paddle. Here is where offering multiple profile options sets Hornbeck Boats apart from other boat manufacturers
Fullness
A boat’s overall shape or design starting from the bow. If the boat reaches fullness quickly it will provide more carrying capacity and stability. If the boat’s fullness is reached slowly, the boat has been designed for speed; resulting in less capacity and stability.
Symmetry
A boat is designed to be either symmetrical, meaning the shapes of both halves are identical with the widest point being at the center; or asymmetrical, meaning a longer narrower bow and a shorter, more blunt stern. The widest point on a asymmetrical Boat is behind the center. All of our boats are symmetrical with the exception of our performance fleet. A symmetrical design provides the best balance of performance and carrying capacity; while an asymmetrical design reduces drag allowing the boat to go faster, but reduces overall capacity.