[PCW] [PWC] - Sea Sled - hull form

[info at eastcapemarine.com]

I was hoping to find one of the first "true" power catamarans. And when I
first saw the photo of the Model 28 Hickman Sea Sled, I thought it to be a
catamaran. However after looking into it further I consider this not to be a
catamaran at all, but maybe the God Father to what is now known as "Tunnel
Hulls". Looking at the construction method of the inverted V Hull that Hickman
used, it clearly shows he derived his idea from a catamaran by having two
sponson "keels" run the full way of the craft, and that the tunnel flattens
off after midship. His idea to force air down the tunnel to give the boat lift
which then reduced wetted surface area and increased speed was pretty forward
thinking in 1919. On top of this his work with Surface Drive Props on the
inverted V hull, was setting the stage for tunnel boat racing today.  I
consider a catamaran to be: two hulls, separated by a bridge deck structure of
some sort, that is truly clear of the water when at rest.

Do I have any takers on that one?

Regards,
Noah