What is the perfect beam on a 38to 40 foot boat?
 

just curious to everyones opinion, is it the 8' wide Cig, or the 8'6" Outerlimits, or what?

Kind of a catch 22, typically Apache uses 8' beam, and O.L. uses 8.6", A.T. uses 8.4", ride and safety is more important to me, also depends on whether its a notched transom, pad, 1 or 2 steps or now even 4 steps, and how good these steps work with the various bottom designs. Anything over that 40' range I prefer 8'6" to 9'. Just my .02.
Which boats are you trying to compare, thanks:D

the narrower, the better.

Narrow should be faster and offer better landings, wide should be more stable by increasing the moment of gyration.

Why does every conversation or simple question, have to turn into SEX ??? :D :D ;) ;) :p :p

I agree that narrower is better for ride quality, they land softer the narrower they are. However,,,,,,,,,and this is a big however,,,,,,,,,if you want to compare beam among different boats, you need to the beam at the chine level in order to actually compare.

Unless I'm mistaken, beam is typically measured at the widest point, this would be at the rub rail and not at the chine level. Width at the rub rail, whether that width be 8'-0" or 8'-6" makes no difference to the actual ride of the boat. It just makes for a wider cockpit.

So, if we want to compare beam for ride sake, we need to compare beam at the chine.

Typically, Cigs and Apaches have slab sides, so the chine width is almost the same as the rub rail width. But, most boats employ a flare not only at the bow but also along the sides, thereby making the rail width wider than the chine width.

Just my .02 on this subject

:cool:

Excellent points, Thirdbird.


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Chris, at least I'm not the one who said cockpit. ;)

Why thank you Daze :D

8'

Your a sick man Chris!:D