Editing PT boat (section)

====Findings====
The Elco 77-Footer Design Demonstrates:<ref name=board />
# Ability to make a maximum sustained speed of 39.7 knots; maximum speed 44.1 knots with heavy ordnance load.
# Maneuverability satisfactory except for a large turning circle of {{convert|432|yd}}.
# Space available for four 21" torpedo tubes.
# Structural weaknesses resulting in transverse fractures of deck planking.
# Tendency to pound heavily in a seaway.
# Fittings and finish unnecessarily refined.
# Cost to the Government fully equipped $302,100.

The Huckins 72-Foot Design Demonstrates:<ref name=board />
# Ability to make a maximum sustained speed of 33.8 knots; maximum speed 43.8 knots with light ordnance load.
# Maneuverability satisfactory with a turning circle of {{convert|336|yd}}.
# Space available for two 21" torpedo tubes and ten {{convert|300|lb|kg|adj=on}} depth charges.
# Structural weaknesses resulting in fracture of bilge stringers.
# Very little tendency to pound in a seaway.
# Fittings and finish appropriate for a motor torpedo boat.
# Cost to the Government fully equipped $263,500.

The Navy Yard Philadelphia 81-Foot Design Demonstrates:<ref name=board />
# Ability to make a maximum sustained speed of 30.7 knots; maximum speed 33.9 knots with light ordnance load.
# Maneuverability unsatisfactory due to inability to reverse outboard engines with a large turning circle of {{convert|443|yd}}
# Space available for two 21" torpedo tubes and ten {{convert|300|lb|kg|adj=on}} depth charges.
# Structural strength is adequate.
# Tendency to pound severely in a seaway.
# Fittings (Navy standard for combatant ships) entirely too heavy and cumbersome for this type of craft. Finish adequate.
# Cost to the Government fully equipped $756,400.

The Higgins 81-Foot Design Demonstrates:<ref name=board />
# Ability to make a maximum sustained speed of 31.4 knots; maximum speed 34.3 knots with heavy ordnance load.
# Maneuverability satisfactory with a turning circle of 368 yards.
# Space available for four 21" torpedo tubes.
# Structural strength adequate.
# Moderate tendency to pound in a seaway.
# Fittings and finish satisfactory.
# Cost to the Government fully equipped $206,600.

The Higgins 76-Foot Design Demonstrates:<ref name=board />
# Maximum sustained speed of 27.2 knots in rough seas; maximum speed 40.9 knots.
# Maneuverability satisfactory, turning circle not determined photographically, estimated 300 yards.
# Space available for four 21" torpedo tubes.
# Structural weaknesses caused failures in transverse bottom framing, separation of side planking from framing and extensive failures of deck fastenings.
# Moderate tendency to pound in a seaway.
# Fittings and finish satisfactory.
# Cost to the Government fully equipped $265,500.

The board arrived at the following recommendations:<ref name=board />
# That the Packard power plant having been found highly satisfactory be adopted as standard for future construction.
# That the ordnance installation of future motor torpedo boats consist of two torpedo tubes, machine guns and depth charges.
# That the Huckins 78-foot (''PT-69'') design be considered acceptable for immediate construction.
# That the Higgins 80-foot (''PT-6'') design suitably reduced in size to carry such ordnance loads as are required by our Navy be considered acceptable for immediate construction.
# That the Elco 77-foot design be considered acceptable for future construction provided changes in the lines are made to reduce the tendency to pound in a seaway, and the structure be strengthened in a manner acceptable to the Bureau of Ships.
# That the Philadelphia 81-foot boat (''PT-8''') be stripped of excess weight and be re-engined with three Packard engines.

The board also had the following opinion on structural sufficiency: "During the first series of tests (21–24 July) the Huckins design (PT-69), the Philadelphia design (PT-8) and the Higgins design (PT-6) completed the open sea endurance run without structural damage. The Higgins 70' (British) boat did not complete this run because of engine trouble. The Higgins 76' (PT-70) and boats of the Elco 77' (PT-20 Class) developed structural failures even under moderate weather conditions prevailing. In the interval between the first and second test periods the PT-70 was repaired and an effort made to eliminate the causes of the structural failures. However, during the second endurance run, which was made in a very rough sea for this size boat, structural failures again occurred in PT-70. PT-69 and PT-21 experienced structural failures during the second run though these were much more localized as compared with those found on PT-70. The Board is of the opinion that certain changes in design are required to enable PT-69 and boats of the PT-20 Class to carry safely their military loads in rough weather."<ref name=board />

The board results provided very important benchmarks in the infancy of PT boat development.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} This type of craft presented design challenges that were still issues decades after, but there are some significant conclusions from the above recommendations and their order of merit. Those are:<ref name=board />

# The Packard were the engines of choice.
# The Huckins 72-foot (''PT-69'') and a reduced Higgins 81-foot (''PT-6'') design were to be placed into production. Following an October 1941 BuShips conference and its new set of navy design requirements which included room to support four {{convert|21|in|cm|abbr=on}} torpedoes and an upper length restriction of 82', the next two orders for pre-war PT boats (''PT-71'' through ''PT-102'') were awarded to Higgins and Huckins.
# Even though the Elco 77-footers posted the fastest speeds, all seven Elcos suffered from structural damage and severe pounding causing the Board to recommend a redesign to correct these deficiencies. Elco competed for the ''PT-71'' to ''PT-102'' contract but did not win due to their higher unit price. After the start of the war and significantly revising their unit cost, Elco received the next PT boat order after Higgins and Huckins. This was to be their new Elco 80-foot design.

[[File:ELCO and Higgins PT boats, Know Your PT Boat US Navy July 1945.jpg|thumb|upright|Elco and Higgins PT boats, as published in a 1945 training manual]]