What is the primary advantage of a planing hull?

A planing hull is designed to skim across the surface of the water rather than pushing through it. This hull type allows boats to reach higher speeds because as the boat accelerates, it displaces less water, reducing drag and allowing for a quicker exit from the water's surface. The main advantage of this design is its capacity to achieve and maintain high speeds, making it ideal for activities such as racing or recreational boating.

In contrast, stability in rough waters is typically a characteristic of displacement hulls, which are designed to ride more deeply in the water and provide greater stability but at lower speeds. Fuel efficiency at low speeds is also more associated with displacement hulls, which operate more efficiently at slower paces compared to planing hulls. Lastly, while certain planing hulls can accommodate reasonable cargo capacities, they are not primarily designed for this purpose, which is usually a strength of wider, displacement hulls that offer more space and stability for carrying loads.