MPYD Sportboat 70

Responding to a request from Caribbean clients for a fast boat to shuttle between islands, Sarasota-based naval architect Michael Peters tweaked his patented stepped hull design with a unique “snorkel” and a hi-low helm station to meet not only performance requirements, but a maximum height restriction as well.

“My clients wanted a high-tech yet elegant day boat that could carry a lot of family or guests between islands for lunch, shopping or water sports, and they didn’t want to spend a lot of time in transit,” said Peters. “The other part of the equation was a low fixed bridge that stood between their dock and the ocean.”
To achieve a cruising speed of 50 knots, Peters turned to the twin-stepped, deep-V hull concept with inverted hard chines and two pairs of longitudinal strakes. So far, so normal. It’s what Peters did aft of the second step that resulted in another patent application. Aft of the aft-most step the interior strakes give way to a centerline tunnel, which continues aft of the transom and creates, in essence, an inverted keel. The tunnel, Peters says, improves directional stability and reduces the tendency of stepped hulls to bow-steer in certain conditions and spin out in tight turns. ...

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