'Pearling' Definition

[sandfox]

would someone please define the term "pearling"

review of valiant 42 the author stated:

"loads of forward buoyancy to keep the bow from pearling"

thank you.

[roverhi]

Pearling is a surf board term meaning the nose of the board submarining under the water. Of course, that usually results in a wipe out. In a boat running in storm seas, about the biggest disaster that can happen is the boat version of pearling. The boat runs down the face of a wave and buries it's bow in the trough. The boat's sudden stop caused by the bow going under forces a broach, turns 90 degrees to the following wave. The wave then rolls the boat over. Almost always results in loss of the mast. If that's the only damage, you'd be lucky. More buoyancy in the bow helps to mitigate the bow going under water.

In any case, it's a big problem when running before a storm with large, steep waves. Thats why dragging a drogue or warps is so important as they slow the boat and, hopefully, prevent the boat from surging ahead and burying it's bow. I have serious questions about these new plumb bowed boats as they are designed to slice into waves which means little initial buoyancy.

[klem]

roverhi gave a good explanation of the term. I suspect that the review is trying to make the argument that the boat will run before large steep waves well. There are several waves to mitigate the danger including lots of buoyancy, hull form, moving weight aft, and going slow enough to never surf down the face of a wave. The issue with doing it through lots of buoyancy is that if it ever does bury, the stop will most likely be more severe.

I wouldn't make too much of the statement other than to note that the author thinks it is a good rough weather boat.