What is "dead rise"? I have noticed it in boat specs but never knew exactly what it refers to. I'm guessing its the measurement of the V. The smaller the number the better it cuts into the water?

Hey Scotch...

Deadrise is the angle of the hull at the stern. The greater the deadrise, the better the hull is in seas so a hull with a 22 degree deadrise will typically slice the water better than one with with say 15 degrees. Now the higher deadrise boats "tend" to rock more but there ways that the designers use to limit rock and roll in high deadrise boats as well as lessen pounding and improve ride over waves with small deadrise boats...

Typically, a high deadrise boat rides better in the waves but needs more power to get on plane and stay on plane and they often draw more water than a similarly sized hull. A low deadrise boat usually planes quicker on less HP but will pound and ride rougher as the seas get heavier....

Thanks John, I was thinking it was the bow.

Well, it is the bow too but when you see "Deadrise" on a spec sheet, they are typically talking at the stern. Some will say something lik 40 deg bow and 17 stern - something like that...