Boating License Practice Test 2026 - Free Boating Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

A cathedral hull is designed with a unique shape that enhances its performance, particularly in terms of stability and the ability to get up on a plane quicker. This type of hull features a wide, flat bottom with two distinct sections that provide significant surface area in contact with the water. When a boat with a cathedral hull accelerates, the design allows it to lift out of the water more efficiently, which reduces drag and enables the boat to achieve plane status faster.

Getting up on a plane quicker means that the boat can arrive at a higher speed with less effort, which is beneficial for both performance and fuel efficiency in practice. While other hull shapes may also perform well, the cathedral design specifically promotes quicker planing characteristics compared to traditional hull shapes.

In contrast, while a cathedral hull may enhance weight-carrying capacity, speed in rough waters, or fuel efficiency to some extent, its primary advantage lies in its ability to achieve quicker planing.