The design of the Hampton Endurance series represents a new, unique combination of safety, comfort, and efficiency in a serious cruising yacht. This is based on rigorous engineering as well as extensive experience. Few yachts in this size range embody both; though that may often be claimed or implied. The builder’s objectives for these craft included high efficiency across a range of speeds, combined with comfort and safety on long ocean passages. Cruise speed was to be 10-12 knots, with an efficient top speed of 18-20 knots; and a very long range at 9-10 knots. Naval Architect and Licensed Professional Engineer Howard Apollonio was engaged to develop the overall design of these vessels. He notes that it is hard to make a slow boat go fast; but much easier to make a fast boat go slow. The trick is to do so efficiently. The beginning of this solution was the design of the Hampton Hybrid Hull. Its roots go back to Apollonio’s development of split-chine hulls starting in 1977. With his specialty in hydrodynamics, he studied the shortcomings of conventional hulls with respect to wavemaking resistance. To overcome these, he divided the forward chine into upper and lower parts to reduce bow wave while retaining dynamic lift and spray control. The forward cross sections were made to resemble those of traditional round-bottom hulls to insure a smooth ride in waves. A combination of race boat and sailboat characteristics was employed to insure superior directional stability in following seas. Decades of successful versions of this hull form led to constant praise of Apollonio’s designs, large and small, fast and slow, including fine performance in severe sea states.