Advanced Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics for Powerboats

Performance Boat design and setup secrets for Recreational tunnels, Offshore Cats, Racing tunnels, Fishing/Utility hulls, Vee and Vee-Pad Hulls, Bass Boats
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Advanced Research...

by Jim Russell and AeroMarine Research

   
[About AR [Meet the Author]   [About Jim Russell]  [Publications]  [Research] [More about AR's Products]  [Types of Hulls]  [Where Our Clients are]

Research at AR® is focused on developing and advancing tunnel hull and vee hull design and predictive performance analysis.  Our extensive research results are implemented and updated into our reports and client software.

Advanced research developed through practical simulation in wind tunnel and water channel experimental facilities.  From these leading-edge results, over years of development and full-scale (race hull) testing, advanced marine technology produced engineering relationships and proprietary algorithms that accurately define the unique interaction of hydrodynamic forces with aerodynamic forces of high-performance tunnel hulls, power catamarans, and vee hulls.

Unique experimental results of low-aspect ratio aerofoil/hulls in close proximity ground effect (water surface) were also proven through rigorous, extensive, full-scale testing.

The "most extensive and comprehensive research" ever compiled"..."known worldwide" for a unique library of original laboratory research, expert literature research, computer analysis software, full scale prototype testing and proven by successful race results. 

All performance hulls benefit from aerodynamic contributions. AR® has done the only research that is specifically aimed at examining and optimizing performance powerboat hulls - specifically tunnel hulls and performance vee hulls. 

Ground-effect tests were conducted in a high-speed, sub-sonic, wind tunnel using an 'image-wing' and alternative 'ground-board' methods of testing.

The image-wing technique involves the use of an identical model mounted inverted with respect to the test model.

This additional wing model is, in effect, an image or reflection of the test with the distance between the two wings being equal to 2 X ground height represented. Tests made with the image-wing method have shown to correlate well with results of tests of a model moving over a still surface.

An investigation was performed to predict the performance of close-proximity ground-effect wing models at forward speeds using a surface tank test facility.

This testing was made with the model moving over the water in order to eliminate the effects of wind-tunnel walls and boundary layer of ground boards that sometimes is reported at small ground clearances. For these tests the airfoils were attached to the towing apparatus by a streamlined strut, and Lift, drag and pitching moment recorded.

Water Channel towing-tank experiments are conducted to test and prove complex planing surface  performance and wave-acting performance at high velocities (Froude number).

Testing included wing models with and without end plates, and represented the full range of practical dimensions used in of full scale tunnel hull & power catamaran hull designs - aspect ratio, height above surface, aerofoil length, width, operating angle of attack, and representative velocity range (Reynolds numbers).

Results of extensive testing was correlated with full scale tunnel hull (catamaran) tests that compared real-model characteristics of representative aspect ratio, height above surface and angle of attack with aerodynamic lift, drag and instability, at similar velocities (100ft/sec).

Hydrodynamic planing research has been advanced by AR®, powerfully extending Savitsky/Brown algorithms to apply for the complexities of mixed lifting forces.  Aeromarine Research® has developed unique algorithms to produce highly accurate aerodynamic & hydrodynamic lift, drag and dynamic stability results that are specific to tunnel hull, power catamaran, vee hull and vee-pad hulls.

Complex fluid flow modeling specifically for tunnel and vee hulls allows accurate computer modeling of these complex designs that fly in air on water.


Jim Russell is recognized for his advanced research and consulting on powerboat design, performance analysis, safety analysis, accident investigation & analysis.  He also lectures on engineering hydrodynamics, aerodynamics and powerboat design.  He has consulted for leading performance powerboat builders, manufacturers, designers and military, serving performance recreation applications, racing hulls, and utility/fishing hulls, in literally all parts of the globe.

Jim Russel on Powerboat TVjim2.jpg (37035 bytes)  

 
Updated...Nov 01, 2023 
New AR Research® developments...
Whisker Spray Drag Analysis - Leading research, advanced hydrodynamics presents how "Whisker-spray" drag analysis brings highly accurate drag, hull performance and dynamic stability results to powerboat performance.
Vee-Pad design optimization is a delicate balance, solved by a unique analysis technique (and VBDP software). The method allows us to isolate lift/drag forces for Vee-Pad and vee (bottom) surfaces. Optimizing Vee-Pad dimensions and orientation. Std/rectangular and 'Delta'/triangular lift surfaces analyzed.
Dynamic Stability -advanced analysis of the changing hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces acting on tunnel hulls and vee hulls gives highly accurate Dynamic Stability, performance predictions & optimization.
Lifting Strakes/Spray Rails/Trim Tabs - TBDP©/VBDP© calculates Lift and Drag contributions from Lifting Strakes, Spray Rails and/or Trim Tabs - for ANY hull design configuration, throughout the entire operating velocity range .
 Drive Unit Drag Analysis calculate drag and coefficients for ANY drive design configuration  throughout the entire hull operating velocity range. New drag analysis includes Torpedo drag, skeg drag, leg drag, induced drag and spray drags using surface piercing flow analysis, multi-engine spacing interference drag and affected HP.
AR® Analysis Methods -Unique AR® research-proven relationship of combined hydrodynamics and aerodynamics - particularly with the "ground effect" of a high-performance hull - are derived to show accurate effects on performance and dynamic stability of hull design, setup and application environment . (updated Dec2019).
Cockpit Design Drags -advanced Aerodynamic analysis of Lifts and drags generated by varying cockpit designs and configurations.
  new.gif (29x14 -- 9694 bytes)Advanced Aerodynamic Analysis technique gives highly accurate lift, drag and dynamic stability contributions to powerboat performance predictions & optimization.
new.gif (29x14 -- 9694 bytes)Economy Performance Analysis - 'Optimize Performance for Economy' completes a series of performance checks, to find the Lowest Power and the Lowest Trim Angle (WAngle) required to satisfy the setup at each velocity step through the operating range.
 Porpoise Regime Analysis - XPorpoise is an engineering tool developed by AR that helps predict your hull's inherent instabilities leading to porpoising. Even includes effects of hull steps, centerpod, vee-pad.
Cavity/Cockpit Drag - advanced Aerodynamics and Cavity Drag Analysis gives highly accurate Cockpit/Cowling Drag contributions to powerboat performance.
Hump Transition - AeroMarine Research® analysis identifies the 'Hump Transition Velocity' ("Hump Zone"), and can indicate a point of instability of interest to performance optimization.
Advanced Wind Tunnel Testing - AeroMarine Research® completed Advanced Wind Tunnel Testing and developed unique algorithms that predict highly accurate aerodynamic & hydrodynamic lift, drag and dynamic stability results specific to high performance hulls.
Advanced Hydrodynamic Analysis technique gives highly accurate lift and drag contributions to powerboat performance predictions & optimization. .
TBDP©/VBDP© Design-to-Design Comparison feature allows easy comparison of performance characteristics for 'base design' to new 'alternative' design(s), by presenting performance results in a graphic format that shows BOTH the 'BEFORE' and 'AFTER' design/setup changes.
new.gif (29x14 -- 9694 bytes) Step Design - AR® has developed advanced analysis techniques that accurately calculate the performance effects of single or multiple steps in tunnel hulls of vee hulls. (updated Nov2020).
 
 

 
  Finite-Element modeling of tunnel hull configurations help to define local aerodynamic flow and structural characteristics.

Wing-in-Ground-Effect testing in high-speed wind tunnels, using 'image-wing' (reflection) method, closely simulates aerodynamic effects of tunnel hull 'low-aspect-ratio", "close-proximity" parameters.


Wing 'End-Plates' represent tunnel hull configuration
in wind tunnel and water channel testing setups.


Offshore powerboat air/water simulation helps optimize aerodynamic flow.
 
 
  Aeromarine Research developed unique algorithms to produce highly accurate aerodynamic & hydrodynamic lift, drag and dynamic stability results that are specific to performance tunnel hull, power catamaran, vee hull and vee-pad hulls.
 
 
           

jim2.jpg (37035 bytes)
about Jim Russell

secrets_of_tunnel_boat_desi.gif (53x73 -- 21190 bytes)13th edition
"Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design" book!
"Secrets of Propeller Design" book!

"TBDP Version 8" Software                     "VBDP Version 8" Software                      "PropWorks2" software


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Special pricing updated November 01, 2023
Contact us at:
AeroMarine Research®
67 Highland Crescent, Cambridge, ON, Canada, N1S1M1
Tel: 519-240-7959

©Copyright by AeroMarine Research and Jim Russell, 1999, all rights reserved.
Material from this website may be not copied or used or redistributed, in whole or in part, without specific written consent of Jim Russell or AeroMarine Research®.