The hull is the watertight body of the boat, and its structure varies between different vessels. Certain hulls give a boat certain properties, so choosing a boat with a hull that is suitable for its intended purpose is important. This post looks at displacement hulls and how they move through the water.

Displacement Hulls

Displacement hulls allow the boat to move through the water by pushing the water to the sides of the boat. These hulls are designed to cut through the water with very little propulsion. These hulls are limited to slower speeds.

If you lower a boat into the water, some of the water moves out of the way to adjust for the boat. If you could weigh that displaced water, you would find it equals the weight of the boat. That weight is the boat’s displacement.

A round-bottomed hull shape acts as a displacement hull. Most large cruisers and most sailboats have displacement hulls, allowing them to travel more smoothly through the water.