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There's so many decisions to make if you're considering buying a boat. What kind of size do you want? Will you need marine fuel bladders for your trips? Where will you dock your boat when you're not using it? One of the most important questions you'll need to consider is, what kind of hull do you want on your boat?

Just like fuel bladders marine, size and location, the shape of your hull matters a lot. Here's the different popular hull types you can choose from, and why you may want to consider them. 

Why The Shape Of Your Hull Is Important

Why does the shape of your hull matter when buying a boat? Like everything else on your boat, it will serve a specific purpose. Every boat is built to do something different, as we use them differently. Some like to race boats, while others go out fishing on theirs. 

The shape of the hull will determine how the boat moves through the water. How you want to move on a boat is important, so you'll need a hull that works for your needs. It's a decision that you need to think about before buying your boat, much like picking the right size, or finding the right boat gas tank bladder for your boat. 

Displacement Hulls

When looking at slower moving boats, you'll see they typically have displacement hulls. These are round on the bottom, with the ballast placed low in the center of it. This shape allows the boat to stay steady in the water, and can carry larger loads more easily. 

For example, some trawlers and recreational sailboats have round hulls. When the boat is at rest, you'll see that they typically roll with the waves. Having the stability means it's easier to hold items on the deck, such as marine fuel bladders. 

Planing Hulls

There are several types of planing hulls, but they're all designed to work better at speed. When they go slow they act more like displacement hulls, but at higher speeds they'll pop up onto the plane, usually at around 15-16 MPH. 

Flat bottom: A flat bottom planing full will be seen on small fishing and bay boats, and are good for riding in choppy weather. 

V bottom: As these hulls have a V shape, they cut smoothly through waves in bad weather. However, they'll need a bit more power to get up onto a plane. They'll also have less room for storage, so keep this in mind. 

Pontoon: A pontoon boat traditionally have two tube shapes making up the hull, but newer models have three. These are often called tritoons. These are good for deck space, again allowing for entertaining on the water, or holding fuel bladders marine and other equipment. 

Tri-Hull/Tunnel hull: These hulls may also be known as cathedral hulls, thanks to the M shaped bottom. They're popular with fishermen, as they offer a lot of stability. There's a lot of storage space too, so you can stash your fishing rods and boat gas tank bladder when not in use. They do tend to pound in choppy water though, so they're better for calm lakes. 

Semi Displacement Hulls

In some cases, a semi displacement hull will be what you're looking for. These hulls have rounded sections that allow for better storage and space, which is better for your marine fuel bladders and equipment, as well as flatter sections. These help to pull the forward part of the hull out of the water, which reduces overall drag. 

You'll typically see larger cruising yachts use this hull design, as it gives them the movement in the water that users need. These hulls do need higher horsepower speeds to get onto plane, so keep this in mind. 

Multi Hills

You can find boats that have separate hulls, and these are called multi hull boats. They typically fall into two distinct types: catamarans and trimarans. Thanks to the design of these boats, they can be either be sail or motor powered, and can have displacement or planing hulls. 

Catamarans: A catamaran will typically have two hulls, with a deck in between them. They've become popular in large passenger boat usage, as they can hold more people and are much more stable. That's better for reducing sea sickness. Having that large space allows to have more people on deck, or equipment such as a boat gas tank bladder. 

These boats typically use two engines, so they are easier to manoeuvre. However, they need more room to turn, so this is something you need to keep in mind. 

Trimarans: Most commonly, you'll see trimarans being used as sailboats. As the name implies, they have three hulls. These will be a main hull, and two side hulls, which are used for stability. In some cases, you'll see the arms that hold the amas in place can actually be folded inwards. That can make it easier to move through some spaces, or get on a trailer. 

If you want an engine on your trimaran, then you'll see that you won't need a large one to get speed on it. As they have a smaller wetted area, there's a lot less drag overall.

Which Hull Is Right For You?

Just like picking anything for your boat, like marine fuel bladders or GPS systems, you'll need to consider what hull is right for you and your needs.  For example, you'll need to think about whether you want a hull designed for speed, or stability. You'll also want to think about whether you want a single or multi hull design. Both options offer distinct advantages, so you'll want to pick the one that works for you. 

There are lots of options when picking the right hull shape for your boat. Just like choosing the size of your boat, or the right fuel bladders marine, you'll need to find the right one for your needs. Think about how you'll use your boat, and how you want it to function. You can also ask your dealer if you want some more advice before you buy.