May 21, 2021 By Waterways Journal
Vessel Repair, a shipyard in Port Arthur, Texas, located on the Sabine-Neches Ship Channel, has announced being awarded a patent for the hull of its Pacesetter class of pushboats. The patent is for a new design that is a combination of single- and double-chined hulls, the announcement said.
“The majority of towboats are constructed with single-chined or double-chined hulls,” said Kurt Moerbe, vice president of Vessel Repair, by way of providing a background. “Each have their advantages and disadvantages.”
Boats with single-chined hulls are cost effective to build, stable, easy to drydock and have hulls that resist sliding. However, they do not have an efficient water flow, they are less maneuverable and consume more fuel, he said. Double-chined boats have improved water flow and fuel consumption, but are more costly to build, less stable, harder to drydock and have hulls th