All things being equal in power, size, load and sea conditions, no other boat can match F&S.

Our Secret? Our Variable Deadrise Hull design. (Deadrise is defined as the angle of vee in a hull relative to the horizontal surface.) An F&S hull will run with less wetted surface, less friction and more efficient hydrodynamic lift. They give you a softer ride and breathtaking, efficient performance. Here's why...

The F&S hull is a Variable Deadrise, Longitudinally Stepped Vee design. It is unique. The uniqueness of the F&S design is the longitudinal steps. Note in the Figure A, to the left, that each panel has less deadrise than the adjacent panel inboard, with the keel panels having the sharpest angle. This is the cutting edge that knifes smoothly into the water on re-entry as you come off a big wave in rough seas.

Notice that the F&S hull does not have the protruding strakes of the typical deep vee hull to retard water deflection from keel to chines on re-entry. (Figure B) Other hulls need strakes for stability. Unfortunately, the strakes also create a "slap" and harsh ride, expecially on re-entry.

The F&S longitudinal steps are of release rather than pressure design, creating a soft ride. As the hull cuts through waves, there is aeration along the steps. Air is softer than water and in rough going, pockets of air are trapped between the hull and the water's surface by the steps. This contributes to her soft ride and superior performance. F&S is stable at all speeds on any quarter. The multi-keel effect of the vertical surfaces of the steps give unsurpassed directional stability, even while running in large following seas.

At top speeds, the second step-up panels are the primary lateral stabilizers with a small portion of the chine panels adding secondary support near the transom. When you are really running, her chines may actually be above the water surface! Yet at rest or at slow-troll, the submerged chines and relatively flat outermost panels give great roll resistance, as well as maximum lift for quick planing performance.

Because of the deeply molded-in longitudinal steps, F&S hulls are inherently "stiffer" structurally. Stiff hulls do not fatique the hull or passengers with the "oil-canning" ride of hulls that flex.

That's the secret. Our unique Variable Deadrise, Longitudinally Stepped Vee Hull. Just because a boat has a deep-vee hull doesn't guarantee the best ride. Schedule a sea trial on an F&S and see what the excitement is all about!