Re: Re: The Florida Sharpie
Hey Sailor.
There's a lot to be said for the flat-bottom, hard chine concept. It can be surprisingly seaworthy, provided it is equipped with a good centerboard and a big rudder.
My first boat was a San Francisco Pelican, a dory pram hull mated with a standing lug rig and a reaching jib. An incredibly seaworthy little boat designed for the worst the North Bay could throw at her, in spite of the fact she was only 12' LWL, 6' beam, and 4" draft. Look up the class on the Internet. They have lots of fans, particularly on the West Coast.
The Pelican had one disadvantage, the flat bottom does tend to pound a lot in a chop, and she's slow and clumsy in light air. Not the best hull design for Florida waters.