Back in July we had an interesting discussion about Arctic Patrol Cutters in the comments section of a note about Canadian icebreaker and Arctic Patrol vessel procurement. Bill Smith advocated the “X-Bow,” and I know I had some difficulty visualizing how it would react in a seaway. Of course if you want to visualize it, it’s already on Youtube. Reportedly this is a clip showing an X-bow equipped vessel going 13 knots, overtaking and passing a similar type of vessel equipped with a conventional bow going 8 knots in what appear to be moderately heavy seas.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
The point of this clip is to illustrate the inventors claim of superior sea worthiness. The bow shape should result in less pitching, but it would also result in more water on deck if the bow had not been raised.
In comparing the two vessels. I don’t know what the displacements of the two vessels are, but any differences might be significant information in making a comparison.
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This article, proposing a course of action for the Royal Navy, includes an artist’s concept of a vessel with an X-bow that might well be used as a Coast Guard Cutter. I thought at the very least Bill Smith might get a kick out of seeing it:
http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2010/12/the-future-of-the-royal-navy-06-%E2%80%93-equipping-the-forward-presence-squadron/
Thanks Chuck!!
One of the things about the X-Bow is that I felt it was a concept that is only usable for the bow itself. If you look at nearly every X-Bow vessel which has been built, they’re all work platforms. Nothing wrong with that; the company which developed it, went after a certain market (oil well platform servicing) and designed vessels that would do yoeman work at that job. There are a lot of problems I see now with the X-bow. Ever notice how they are very beamy vessels? That’s not a bad thing, but it kills top-end speed. I think it would take a lot of engineering work to test out the real applicability of the X-Bow, but I still feel it would make a dandy starting point for an Arctic Patrol Cutter.