The 24° Vs 26° Deadrise Question – Which One Is Right for Your Waters?

Meta Description: Confused about deadrise angles? We explain why our compact RIBs use 24° and our larger models use 26°. Learn which hull shape matches your boating conditions.

Target Keywords: boat deadrise explained, deep V hull vs modified V, RIB rough water performance

What is Deadrise, and Why Does It Matter?

Deadrise is the angle of the hull's bottom at the transom, measured from horizontal.

Low deadrise (0°–15°): Flat bottom. Planes easily. But slams hard in chop. Uncomfortable and wet.

Moderate deadrise (16°–22°): Good for calm inshore waters. Acceptable in light chop.

Deep deadrise (23°–30°): Cuts through waves. Soft ride. Requires more power to plane.

Extreme deadrise (30°+): Very soft offshore ride. Rolls heavily at rest. Poor fuel efficiency.

Our lineup uses 24° (compact models) and 26° (mid-size and flagship models). These are intentional choices, not accidents.

24° Deadrise: The Compact Class Choice (Models 520 & 560)

Why 24° on our smallest RIBs?

These boats are designed for:

Inland lakes

Protected bays

Calm rivers

Use as yacht tenders (where the mothership provides rough-water capability)

At 5.2–5.6 meters, a 26° deadrise would create two problems:

Instability at rest: A sharper V rolls more when anchored or drifting. For a 5m RIB used for swimming or fishing, this is annoying.

Higher planing speed: A 26° hull needs more power to get on plane. The 520 with 24° planes beautifully with 60–80HP. The same boat with 26° would need 100HP just to perform similarly.

Real-world performance of 24°:

Planing speed: 12–14 knots

Comfortable chop: Up to 0.5m (1.5 feet)

Fuel efficiency at cruise: Excellent (5–6 liters per nautical mile with 90HP)

Best use: Calm inshore waters, lakes, rivers, protected harbors

Who should choose 24°:

Lake boaters

Sailboat owners (tender use)

First-time RIB buyers

Anglers fishing sheltered waters

26° Deadrise: The Mid-Size & Flagship Standard (Models 600 through SP1150)

Why 26° on everything 6 meters and above?

Once a boat exceeds 6 meters, it is likely to encounter:

Coastal chop (0.5–1.5 meters)

Ferry wakes

Wind-driven waves

Occasional offshore running

A 26° deadrise is the industry's "Goldilocks" number for coastal RIBs. Here is why:

Advantages of 26°:

Soft entry: The sharp V cuts through waves instead of slamming. Your spine will thank you after a 2-hour run in chop.

Dry ride: Spray is deflected outward, not up into the boat.

Stability: Despite the sharper V, a 2.5–3.7m beam provides excellent at-rest stability.

Fuel efficiency: 26° is the sweet spot for planing efficiency at 25–35 knots.

Trade-offs (honestly stated):

Requires more power than a 24° hull (but our max HP ratings account for this)

Slightly higher planing speed (14–16 knots vs 12–14 knots)

Rolls slightly more at anchor than a flat-bottom (minimal with wide beams)

Real-world performance of 26° (tested on our SP960 with twin 300HP):

Planing speed: 14 knots

Comfortable chop: Up to 1.5m (5 feet)

Rough water limit (Category C): 2m (6.5 feet) significant wave height

Fuel efficiency at 28 knots cruise: 2.5–3 liters per nautical mile per engine

Who should choose 26°:

Coastal cruisers

Fishing charter operators

Anyone who regularly encounters 0.5m+ chop

Boaters who prioritize rough-water comfort over absolute fuel economy

Deadrise Comparison Table

Our Recommendation

Choose 24° if:

80%+ of your boating is on lakes or sheltered rivers

You are buying a tender for a sailboat or small cruiser

You want maximum fuel efficiency with modest horsepower

Choose 26° if:

You boat primarily in coastal waters

You regularly encounter wind-driven chop

You plan to run 25+ knots frequently

You want the same hull design used by offshore rescue boats

Still unsure? Contact us with your typical boating location and conditions. We will recommend the right deadrise for your waters.