Genuine Panga boat designs are known for several advantages. One key feature to the panga boat is the delta pad that runs the length of the hull from two inches flat at the bow to about 16 inches at the rear. This delta pad protrudes about one inch from the slight V hull bottom. This delta pad acts like a rail and the hull rides on this pad. The effect is less hull surface area in contact with the water so less friction, less strain on the engine, better fuel economy, better ride in choppy bay waters. The original idea for the design was to make it easy for village fishermen to pull their boats up onto the beach. The high bow is designed to counter the weight of a fisherman standing on the bow and pulling up heavy gill nets. Other features with the panga design include a foam filled gunnel that makes the boat self righting; self bailing scuppers so in case the boat is swamped the water can flow out the sides.

Another benefit of the scuppers is any rain water will also wash out the sides. One misunderstood feature of the scuppers is that water comes inside the boat. There is a simple explanation for this. When you are running the boat you keep the scupper caps screwed closed because if they are open during regular operation water will come in whenever the boat turns one way or the other, then as soon as the boat straightens out the water will wash out. scuppers are to be opened when you are in rough seas, stormy weather, or you have the boat docked in storage and do not want rain water accumulation on the deck area. The options for this 22 as well as the 29 is to have a low sided version or a high sided version.