To all the surface warfare types out there: Severe weather seakeeping characteristics - Which is better Spruance class or Zumwalt Class DDG?

Maj John Bell — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 10:03:09 -0500

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2016 12:30 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 12:30:13 -0500

Zumwalt with her wave-piercing inverted bow and tumblehome hull is much more advanced then the old Spruance cans, with all the other issues sprucans had I would take a ride in the Zumwalt over one of them anyday.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Nov 16 at 2016 3:33 PM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 15:33:33 -0500

How would I know? I served on a Spru Can, but never on a Zoomie!

Response by LT Marc Blaydoe made Jul 29 at 2017 9:56 AM

LT Marc Blaydoe — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 09:56:45 -0400

I was on the Arthur W. Radford, I remember going through sea state 8 around Cape Hatteras. It was not a pleasant experience, but I really am interested in seeing how the Zumwalt does in rough seas. The Spru suffers from the stupid design with that "break" just forward of the superstructure instead of a smooth transition like the Burkes, that creates a major stress point. On the Zumwalt, with that crazy sail of a superstructure and so much flat surface freeboard, I predict she is going to be a real hog in heavy seas.

Besides that, the Zumwalt is just plain butt-ugly. Give me an Arleigh Burke any day.