Advanced Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics for Powerboats

Performance analysis of a hull design can be completed to determine comparison results of alternate design/setups, using similar operating conditions. TBDP©/VBDP© software's 'Optimize=Power' analysis completes a series of performance checks, to find the Power Required to satisfy the setup at each velocity step through the operating range, while maintainng specified Trim Angles (WAngle). Other performance values are resultant of these settings.

This setting is often utilized to consider comparable performance results of different boat designs at similar conditions, for example, acceleration and/or elapsed time.

When the OPTIMIZATION CONFIG switch is set for "Power Optimization" on the Design data input screen, your design is evaluated for a range of specified Velocities, at specified Trim Angles (Angle-of-attack). The required (minimum) Power to maintain interval speed, Acceleration and Elapsed Time, are determined for each velocity increment.  

The TBDP performance report for “Optimize = Power” generates the Power Required for the specified design at the WAngle’s specified at each velocity interval in the “Acceleration Model (Trim Set Range)” user input fields - So, Power required to meet each condition (velocity and specified WAngle) is calculated.

This option is very powerful for measuring dynamic performance of your design for anticipated Angle-of-Attack and Power setups, including evaluating Acceleration and Elapsed Times expected. Trends in these key performance indicators can then be studied to determine if the design setup can run within your expected operating limits, or whether further refinement can improve the "operating envelope".

For example a good indication of hull behaviour and power utilization is the change in rate of "Elapsed Time" through the velocity range. For the given Angle-of-Attack, if "Elapsed Time" increases to very high values, then the upper velocity limit of the hull design and setup has been reached. If this maximum velocity and rate of acceleration (Elapsed Time) to reach Vmax is acceptable to you then ok - otherwise you may want to modify design, setup or operating characteristics accordingly.

The Angle of Attack (WAngle) can be specified for each velocity increment, by using the Acceleration Model (Trim Set Range) Wizard

When optimizing ACCELERATION or ELAPSED TIME performance, it is often found that small changes in design features/specifications or setup features (eg: WAngle, Power) can dramatically change (improve) performance (eg: Elapsed Time). If your desire is to design for optimum (quickest) 'Elapsed Time', then testing design features/specifications and setups can be very helpful.