Beckles, thanks again. In reference to your above post, I too doubt that the research is being spent to develop new materials. It's the use of those materials I speak of. Sure, the raw fibers have given allowables, but it's the orientation and bias which is important. Certainly, different portions of the hull and deck will experience different loads in different directions. That's the beauty of composites. You can bias and customize the properties of a lay-up with different orientation and proportions in those directions. I see so many "structural" composite pieces that have a singular, blanket lay-up...just seems like a waste.

Beckles, interesting insight. I know personally that the design of the hulls has always held my curiosity. I am a huge Outerlimits fan (who wouldn't be), but honestly, their outrageous speeds seem to have nothing to do with radical hull designs - just massive Sterling power. Without a doubt, I can also certainly believe that the "experts" computer and engineering genious can be way off. I currently work in construction and can't even start to count the number of times that our field superintendents or myself catch rediculous stuff that our engineers deem necessary to the job. It does seem though, that for all the jackasses out there, there is also someone who really knows their sh$@ and could design some radical (usefull) hulls.