Design it, Drive it : Speedboats

Design it, Drive it: Speedboats takes an uncommon approach to racing by making boat engineering just as important as actually driving across the water. Developed and published by Performance Simulations, the game is aimed primarily at players who enjoy realistic vehicle physics, mechanical experimentation, and learning how small adjustments can completely change a machine's behavior. Instead of relying on a traditional career filled with unlockable boats and scripted championships, it gives players the tools to create and tune their own speedboats before discovering whether those ideas actually work once the craft hits the water. Boat construction is the heart of the experience. Players can experiment with vee-bottom outboard boats and Formula-style outboard tunnel boats, changing numerous parameters that affect hull geometry and overall performance. The customization goes considerably deeper than cosmetic modification because the resulting hull is generated according to the chosen settings. A design that looks reasonable on paper may behave unpredictably at speed, while careful refinement can produce a noticeably faster and more stable machine. This trial-and-error process makes designing the boat feel directly connected to driving it rather than functioning as a separate customization menu. The physics system gives these design choices their significance. Hydrodynamic forces, buoyancy, aerodynamic effects, skin friction, engine performance, and propeller behavior contribute to how a boat moves. Surface-piercing propellers and individual propeller blades are simulated, while engine trim and hydraulic jackplate adjustments provide additional ways to influence performance while driving. Increasing speed therefore involves more thought than simply applying full throttle. An aggressive setup may reduce drag and generate impressive speeds, but it can also make the boat increasingly difficult to control. Several realistic handling problems can emerge from an unsuitable design or poor driving technique. Porpoising can cause the boat to repeatedly pitch, while chine walking creates instability that demands continuous steering corrections. At the extreme end, an unstable high-speed boat can even blow over. These behaviors make experimentation particularly satisfying because the consequences of engineering decisions become immediately apparent. The simulator also provides force visualization tools that help show what is happening to the craft, making it easier to understand which parts of the hull are interacting with the water and how different forces influence movement. Driving has a substantial learning curve as a result. Steering, throttle control, trim, and engine height can all require attention, especially when trying to extract maximum speed from a powerful setup. Support for keyboards, gamepads, joysticks, pedals, force-feedback steering wheels, and other compatible controllers gives players considerable flexibility. A dedicated wheel and pedal configuration can enhance the simulation aspect, but simpler controllers remain viable for players who do not own specialized equipment. The game separates relaxed boating from competitive challenges effectively. Free as the Wind mode removes timers and predefined objectives, allowing players to test modifications or simply explore. It works especially well as a practical laboratory after changing a hull because there is no pressure to achieve a particular result. Course-based activities provide more structure through lap races, point-to-point challenges, and top-speed runs. These different events encourage players to consider that a configuration built for maximum straight-line velocity may not necessarily perform well on a tighter course. The environments provide enough variety to support these activities. Lotus Lake offers a smaller setting suited to testing and shorter sessions, while Glen Canyon provides a much larger area containing open stretches of water, narrower passa…

wish there were more hull type such as center consoles or boats like the stv or skaters and if trim tabs can be added it would be awesome

Boats do not seem to stay up but rather keep tipping to the side. The simulation is half way there which makes it not worth it. Not to mention that the dev for this game has abandoned the project years ago