Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic Performance
design for Powerboats

"The best performance powerboat optimization software available to builders, designers , owners, drivers."

AR® analysis methods are designed to accurately represent the full range of performance tunnel hull, catamaran, vee hull and vee-pad configurations, across all sizes, power levels and operating speeds. xx Methods are accurate and representative for all style, sizes, configurations....

Forces Complexity - Performance powerboat hulls derive lift and drag from a complex and constantly changing interaction of hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces, including both planing and free-fluid flow effects. Traditional analysis methods often simplify these relationships and cannot fully capture the dynamic interaction between hull geometry, aerodynamic loading, wetted surfaces and stability throughout the speed range.  

Coupled aero + hydro analysis - The relationship between aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces is especially important in high-performance tunnel hulls and advanced vee hulls. As aerodynamic lift increases, the hydrodynamic lift required to support hull weight decreases, reducing wetted area and hydrodynamic drag. TBDP©/VBDP© software dynamically solves aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces together as fully coupled influences throughout the velocity range. This linked analysis allows more accurate prediction of lift, drag, trim, stability and overall performance than methods that analyze aerodynamic or hydrodynamic effects independently.

No 'fudge-factors - TBDP©/VBDP© avoids reliance on generalized 'typing coefficients' or broad 'correction factors' often used to force simplified prediction formulas to match different hull styles. Instead, the software analyzes the actual hydrodynamic and aerodynamic characteristics of each specific hull design, allowing far greater sensitivity to the details that influence real-world performance. This approach more accurately captures the interaction of forces, geometry, load distribution and speed-dependent effects than simplified methods based primarily on generalized adjustment factors.

Non-Dimensional Engineering Algorithms - Design and performance calculations use AR® non-dimensional engineering algorithms for the many individual lift, drag and stability contributors affecting hull performance. Because the methods are physics-based rather than coefficient-based, AR® analysis remains accurate across a wide range of hull sizes, powers, configurations and operating speeds. AR® performance analysis is based on advanced research and proven procedures developed specifically for tunnel hulls and vee hulls.

Real-World Validation - Validation against real full-scale boat testing is a critical part of AR® development. TBDP©/VBDP© software algorithms are continuously compared against measured real-world performance under actual operating conditions. While some CFD tools provide highly detailed flow visualization, translating those visual results into practical performance prediction can be difficult and time-consuming. TBDP©/VBDP© focuses directly on meaningful engineering outputs such as speed, drag, lift, trim, stability and setup sensitivity in terms that designers and builders can readily apply. ["Fantastic design software. This is so much better than the CFD software that we were using before. TBDP gives extremely accurate results for all of our hull configurations.    Our CFD modelling required much more preparation and computer time, and while showing us fancy flow patterns, was unable to accurately relate the results to real performance simulation." - Shawn L. - MI, USA]

Customized Hull Development - TBDP©/VBDP© software is purpose-built specifically for tunnel hulls, catamarans, vee hulls and vee-pad hulls. Because all analysis methods are custom-developed for  planing hulls, the software avoids dependence on generalized modelling approaches commonly adapted from unrelated applications. AR® methods accurately account for ground-effect aerodynamics, multi-step surfaces, variable deadrise, lift strakes, spray rails, trim tabs, cockpit drag, drive appendages and aerodynamic deck influences. The interaction between hydrodynamic lift, aerodynamic lift, drag, thrust and stability is dynamically balanced throughout the operating range for more accurate performance and stability prediction.

Dynamic relationships - within TBDP©/VBDP© software calculate individual lift, drag, thrust, stability and moment contributions from sponsons, vee planing surfaces, centerpods, vee-pads, steps, aerodynamic surfaces, cockpit configurations and drive appendages. The complex interdependence of these forces is dynamically balanced to predict real-world hull performance and stability characteristics throughout the operating range. Unlike simplified generic methods that rely heavily on generalized adjustment coefficients, AR® methods directly calculate the influence of individual design features and operating conditions.

Most Advanced Technology - TBDP©/VBDP© software resolves the complex balance of dynamic forces acting on planing hulls using advanced AR® hydrodynamic and aerodynamic analysis methods. The research-proven interaction between aerodynamic ground effect, hydrodynamic lift and dynamic stability is modeled to accurately predict the influence of hull design, setup and operating environment on overall performance.

Wide Range of Design Configurations - TBDP©/VBDP© software can analyze:

• Multiple-step hulls

• Centerpod and vee-pad configurations

• Variable deadrise surfaces

• Any tunnel width, height, angle or aerofoil shape

• Any sponson geometry or deadrise

• Any engine installation, any lower unit/drive installation

• Lift strakes, spray rails and trim tabs

• Cockpit, canopy and deck aerodynamic effects

• Aerofoil shapes for tunnel configurations

• Single or multiple engine configurations

• Engine setback and drive spacing

• Weight distribution and CG location

• Climate and environmental conditions including altitude, humidity, air and water temperature, and fresh or salt water operation

Doesn’t Matter What Style - AR® methods maintain high predictive accuracy across a wide range of hull types, sizes, speeds and operating conditions because the analysis is based on direct calculation of contributing forces rather than generalized hull-type assumptions.

Validation - AR® methods have been validated through full-scale boat testing, wind tunnel research, water-channel testing and extensive engineering development across many hull types and operating conditions. Because TBDP©/VBDP© software directly models contributing aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces rather than relying on generalized hull-type coefficients, predictive accuracy has consistently shown excellent correlation to real-world performance results. Predictive results have demonstrated correlation to measured real-world performance within approximately ±1% under many tested conditions.

(Apr2015) - "Aeromarine Research's Tunnel Boat/Vee Boat Design Software is the very best and most comprehensive performance evaluation tool available." [S&Fly Review TBDP Ver8.4 Apr2015]

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See it all in Comparative Graphic Trend Charts, or Detailed Data Reports, or Printed Performance Reports

View Design Input Variables and sample Input Screens

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