What does deadrise mean?

[Ronn]

Looking at buying a new boat. Several models to choose from. What does "deadrise" refer to? Thanks.

[Meaty Mark]

Deadrise is the angle from the horizontal, rotated upwards to the surface of the hull. The angle of the hull at the transom is defined as the hulls "transom deadrise". There is a corresponding deadrise at the bow called the entry angle.
By convention a hull with a Ved bow and no transom deadrise is called a "semi V hull". A modest transom deadrise (up to 18 deg) is called a modified V hull. More tham 19 deg is called a "deep V". There is an excellant article on deadrise and hulls and dry rides in Gulf Coast Outdoors Magazine. http://gcomag.com/042k/hyland.htm

[FreeByrd]

Ronn,
Mark got the definition for you. Now - why do you care about deadrise when looking for a new boat? Perhaps it is obvious but in case it is not, in general the greater the deadrise angle - the better the boat will be at "slicing" through rough water we get on the Great Lakes. Two boats with high deadrise angles are Albemarle and Carolina Classic - 24 degrees. The way they tackle rough water is incredible for 24 and 25 feet boats. You'd have to ride in them to appreciate them and will probably think I'm lying by telling you I've gone 35mph in 4 foot waves on Erie in an Albe while drinking a cup of coffee. Hard to believe until you experience it. This is great if most of your fishing is trolling. If you prefer to driftfish, or don't fish/run rough water then the 24 degree deadrise might be overkill. One disadvantage to the high deadrise is the tendancy to rock back and forth - or "list" while on a drift. Other factor here is beam width. Albe is only 8' while Carolina is 8-6. Consequently Albe handles the rough stuff a little better, lists worse but does not have as much room. Carolina is still a great rough water ride, a little better on a drift and has more room.
Steve

[ETT]

Steve, Contender is one more (24.5 degree dead rise). See you soon (ON THE WATER) I hope.

[FreeByrd]

Jim,
Yeah Contender looks great - checked them out at the boat show at South Shore's area. Definitely a hit if you want a Center Console. Just don't know where I'd store 32 rods, downriggers, boards, and a couple hundred pounds of Stingers, Reefrunners, etc.!!! I like the option of sleeping on the boat some weekends in Lorain although I wonder about some of my "neighbors" up there -they're NOT RIGHT - LOL... It won't be TOO long till we can talk on the water.
Steve

[bob oh]

I'm glad you guys cleared that up. Always thought deadrise was an old Coast Guard saying. "Have you found the guy who fell in north of the turnaround?" Coast Guard, "No, but the dead rise."

Bob