By Jim Russell, Aeromarine Research

The Vee-bottom hull is the most common design in modern performance powerboats. The Vee design has a number of variations and near-endless modifications – including the pad-vee design - that can enhance particular handling characteristics of the boat. If going fast is the objective, it’s worthwhile knowing just how a vee pad can affect vee hull performance.

I’ve had many inquiries about vee hull modification, vee-pad hulls and pad modifications. High performance vee pad hulls must be carefully designed for each boat, as the balance of lift from the pad is crucial. The good news is that there are ways that we can engineer our way to the best performing ...