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What are the advantages and disadvantages a Power bareboat cruiser with propeller tunnels in the hull? (Posted: Feb 2)
Propeller tunnels (commonly called prop pockets) are often employed by designers to reduce shaft angles and draft requirements. Manufacturers like Stealthyachts and voyageyachts have used them for years, and they're a common characteristic in the hull designs.

While reduced shaft angles and draft requirements offer significant advantages in many hulls, there are some potential downsides to their use. Among them is loss of lift at the stern which may result in a bow-high running attitude, poor high-speed steering, and an increased turning radius. Finally — and this applies primarily to fishing boats — prop-pocket hulls generally require more finesse in tight-quarter handling.

We know of no trawlers using propeller tunnels in the hull. In motor yachts (or convertibles), prop pockets are often used in conjunction with V-drives. (Without prop pockets, the shaft angles resulting from a V-drive installation would be prohibitively steep.) It's worth noting that many of the high performance yachts reviewed in this book use propeller tunnels. In most cases, we believe the advantages inherent in a well-designed prop-pocket hull can outweigh the potential disadvantages mentioned above.

However the reputed powerboat manufacturers like stealthyachts have been using this technology for years.