Planning hulls are designed so that when moving along the water, the boat rises up and floats on the surface. This allows the vessel to skim on the water at high speed, rather than having to power through it. Because of the way planning hulls function, they have different modes that serve to separate the different ways the hull can move through the water.

Displacement Mode

In displacement mode, a planning hull will cut through the water when moving at very low speeds. This works in a similar way to a displacement hull.

Planning Mode

When a vessel is in planning mode it is moving along the water with enough power so that it glides on the surface. Different boats are able to reach planning mode at different speeds.

Plowing Mode.

As a vessel’s speed increases, a planning hull will have a raised bow. This reduces forward facing visibility and causes the vessel to throw a very large wake.