rookie question

[buknhrse]

Can someone explain the difference between a flat and a runner bottom? I see ads for boats for sale and they say "true flat, not a runner bottom". I thought there was an obvious difference. I am looking for a v-drive flat bottom, and I was curious what the difference really is.

[adjones419]

A flatbottom is just that, flat...meaning that the cavitation plates on the back of the boat are flat. A runner bottom has runners that trap a small amount of air...there are 3 cavitation plates on the back of the boat. The two on the outside are raised above the middle plate, creating what some call a "step" which might look something like this -----_____----- (Lame I know, but it makes for a good visual).

[buknhrse]

thats pretty much what I thought, but some stuff i had read led me to believe there was more to it. Any advantages or drawbacks you can think of for either?

[adjones419]

thats pretty much what I thought, but some stuff i had read led me to believe there was more to it. Any advantages or drawbacks you can think of for either?
The idea behind a runnerbottom is that it will be more stable at higher speeds. I've never driven a true flat, but I know those K boats haul ass in some pretty rough water. Fast drag racing flats are runnerbottoms, such as TAF, BGF, PGF, and the faster bracket flats. Are you looking to buy?

[buknhrse]

yes, i had a 76 hondo t-deck which now that you have explained the difference, was arunner bottom. I loved that boat but it was a jet not a v-drive. I have driven an early 70's Nordic v-drive with a twin turbo small block, and I fell in love with v-drives. I am looking for one, but i'm not sure what yet

[adjones419]

I have a 1976 Hondo XH-511GT T-deck (actually a "GT" deck) runnerbottom v-drive with a little history. Great boat...sets good and runs true, it's been the perfect 9,10,11 second bracket boat for me. I'll have it for sale in the fall. All the advice I can give is be patient, don't buy the first thing that you see. Shop around a bit and you'll find exactly what you want.

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

yes, i had a 76 hondo t-deck which now that you have explained the difference, was arunner bottom. I loved that boat but it was a jet not a v-drive. I have driven an early 70's Nordic v-drive with a twin turbo small block, and I fell in love with v-drives. I am looking for one, but i'm not sure what yet
This is a runnerbottom... is this what the bottom of your jet looked like?;)
http://www.v-drivevideo.com/jerrysgallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Copy%20of%20DSC00396.JPG

[creepingcharlie]

This is a runnerbottom... is this what the bottom of your jet looked like?;)
http://www.v-drivevideo.com/jerrysgallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Copy%20of%20DSC00396.JPG
wow never seen a runner like that. What hull is that?:confused: I thought on runner bottoms the center was lower then the outsides?:confused: That looks like a tunnel.

[adjones419]

Way to go V-Drive Video, now you have the rookes all confused! :D :)

[RiverGames]

whatever v-drive video has going on is some serious shiznat. the most common are these two.
this is a runner bottom
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f151/agames139/3.jpg
this is a true flat
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f151/agames139/cavitationplatesblue.jpg

[buknhrse]

wow, thats different, my Hondo looked more like the second pics, with the middle being the lowest. That first one looks like what I thought was more like tunnel. Thanks for the info. I would be very interested in your boat. I'd like to see some pics. Could you e-mail me some?

[adjones419]

wow, thats different, my Hondo looked more like the second pics, with the middle being the lowest. That first one looks like what I thought was more like tunnel. Thanks for the info. I would be very interested in your boat. I'd like to see some pics. Could you e-mail me some?
I got your PM and will e-mail you tonight or tomorrow (Monday) as soon as I get on my home computer.

[adjones419]

Sent you an e-mail but I got a mail delivery failure notice to that e-mail address you gave me. :confused: