This paper discusses the early years in the development of the powerboat, specifically the evolution and changes of hull shapes in pre-war racing boats. From the beginning of the twentieth century to the advent of the Second World War, the revolutionary design changes and technological milestones achieved are arguably the greatest in any period of powerboat racing. Originally powerboat hull design had been subject to the concept of relating speed to waterline length. Similar to the sailboats of the time, long, lean canoe-shaped hulls ran through the water. The 60 foot long STANDARD of 1903 would become the blueprint from which high-performance hulls developed when it reached 22mph. Over the next thirty years, top speeds increased from DIXIE 2 's 38mph in 1909 to over 124mph by Gar Wood's MISS AMERICA X in 1932. Designs evolved from the displacement-type hull shape to the beginnings of the planing hull and soon single- and multiple-stepped hulls changed the face of boat design forever. The introduction of the three-point hydroplane hull created a paradigm-shift in design that has continued to affect high-performance boats of today.
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