Characteristicsflatbottomed

Characteristicsflatbottomed is a compound descriptor used to classify vessels or objects that employ a flat-bottomed hull form. In nautical design, it denotes a hull with a nearly plane lower surface from bow to stern, typically paired with a relatively wide beam and shallow draft. The term often appears as a label in catalogs or datasets to indicate hull type alongside measurements such as length, displacement, and draft.

Key characteristics include a flat bottom from the centerline to the bilge, a shallow draft enabling operation in very shallow waters, and generally good initial stability at rest or in calm conditions due to the wide beam. The form can offer low hull resistance at small to moderate speeds and when carrying moderate loads. However, it tends to have poorer performance in rough seas, with higher pounding loads in chop and limited ability to cut through waves compared to deeper, more rounded hull forms. Handling can be predictable at low speeds but may become less comfortable at higher speeds or in swell.

Materials and construction vary and include wood, steel, aluminum, and composites. Flat-bottomed hulls are common in inland and shallow-water applications, such as workboats, barges, jon boats, and certain fishing craft, where shallow draft, ease of construction, and payload capacity are prioritized over high-speed seakeeping.

Related terms include flat-bottom hull, shallow-draft hull, and planing hull. See also hull shapes, maritime design, and vessel performance.