let's build a ship

[hal]

If instead of going the route you're going, you went for an approximation using a prism for the hull?

If you know the depth of your hull along with its length and breadth, you could cheat by using a prism for the main body whose depth is longer than what you need. Then calculate the volume of the prism whose depth is just the tip of the prism you don't need for your hull (thus, getting a smooth bottom). For instance, if you had a prism that measured 20 feet from the flat surface to its "ridge" line, figure out the volume of that prism. Next, figure out the volume of a prism that was 10' from its apex to its base. Subtract that smaller volume from the larger and you will have the basic hull's volume. To that, add a BEAK that is essentially a pyramid like shape to simulate its bow.

That should mostly describe an early bronze age style trireme or bireme no?

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by hal

If instead of going the route you're going, you went for an approximation using a prism for the hull?

If you know the depth of your hull along with its length and breadth, you could cheat by using a prism for the main body whose depth is longer than what you need. Then calculate the volume of the prism whose depth is just the tip of the prism you don't need for your hull (thus, getting a smooth bottom). For instance, if you had a prism that measured 20 feet from the flat surface to its "ridge" line, figure out the volume of that prism. Next, figure out the volume of a prism that was 10' from its apex to its base. Subtract that smaller volume from the larger and you will have the basic hull's volume. To that, add a BEAK that is essentially a pyramid like shape to simulate its bow.

That should mostly describe an early bronze age style trireme or bireme no?

It's possible that it would. But I can't visualize the shape you have in mind from your description. Is it a stretched four-sided pyramid, or half of a pyramid (pointed at the front, flat at the back), or something else?