Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic Performance
design for Powerboats

"Customer service from AeroMarine Research is outstanding! Jim answers any questions quickly and was willing to discuss any of my design issues as I optimized performance using TBDP/VBDP software. Love the software and the great support from Jim!" [P. Wilson, FL, USA, Sept 2024]

Scream and Fly magazine Review of TBDP/VBDP Ver. 8
"...the very best and most comprehensive perform"...the very best and most comprehensive performance evaluation tool available."

I found Jim Russell from AeroMarine Research, the software is 'so good', and it helped me very, very much." [Ari Nurminen, Finland, Aug 2021]

TBDP© Ver 8.0 Powerboat & RIB magazine

Key Benefits  

• Optimize hull performance and features:

  • Analyze every aspect of hull performance and behaviour

  • Easy, user-friendly design input

  • Full velocity-range Analysis

  • Accurate top speed prediction

  • Integrated Hydro + Aero coupled analysis

  • Built-in Dynamic Stability analysis predicts porpoisng, chine-walk, bow-steer, blowover, more

  • Extensive output data and easy-to-read performance graphs

  • Optimization Wizards and automated analysis tools

  • Extensive help system, automatic data validation, and video tutorials

  • Real-world validated engineering methods

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• Trusted across commercial, recreational, and racing projects

  • VBDP® is trusted worldwide for recreational, commercial, racing and government projects

  • The software applies equally well to:

    • patrol craft

    • ferries

    • workboats

    • pontoon/tritoon boats

    • cruisers

    • bass boats

    • RIB's

    • vee and vee-pad hulls

    • high-speed yachts

  • The same engineering principles used to predict trim, porpoising, and power requirements in racing boats also apply to fuel efficiency, ride quality, stability, and spray drag in commercial and recreational craftbass boats

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• Fast, Practical Engineering Results

  • VBDP® is grounded in validated engineering methods specifically developed for all types of planing hulls.

  • Unlike general-purpose CFD workflows that often require extensive setup and interpretation, VBDP® delivers practical, directly usable performance predictions for real-world design decisions.

  • The software focuses on actionable engineering results - not just flow visualizations - while avoiding the long setup times and computational demands typical of many CFD approaches

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• Complete Velocity Range Analysis:
  Many important handling and stability problems occur during speed transitions rather than at peak speed alone

  VBDP® automatically evaluates the full operating range to reveal changes in:

  • Lift balance,

  • Trim behavior,

  • Hydro & aerodynamic loading,

  • Wetted geometry

  • Vee-Pad loading

  • Stability conditions.

  Identify:

  • Porpoising onset regions
  • Ttrim instability
  • Blowover sensitivity
  • Chine-walk onset regime
  • Optimized aerodynamic lift
  • Inefficient setup conditions
  • Abrupt handling transitions

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• Easy Design Input:

  Quick Design Wizard - Optionally start with one of template hull types. Enter only key dimensions and the Wizard automatically generates ther remaining inputs for your ready-to-analyze design.

  OEM Engine Selection Wizard - Select from specifications of over engines and integrate them directly into performance predictions.

  User-friendly Interface:

  • No CAD experience required

  • Intuitive layout and fast computation

  • Suitable for both professionals and first-time users Automatic input checking

  • Context-sensitive help system

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• Extensive Output, Easy to Understand:

• Generate over  calculated data outputs and  graphs covering:  

  • lift

  • drag

  • trim

  • power requirements

  • acceleration

  • elapsed time

  • center-of-pressure movement

  • spray effects

  • stability trends

  • and more

• Results are presented in clear Performance and Stability data tables and graphically in Performance Graphs designed specifically for practical interpretation.

• The AI-based Performance Analysis Wizard further explains the results in real-world terms and suggests possible optimization improvement

HOW FAST DOES MY BOAT GO?

TBDP V8, "How Fast Does My Boat Go?" Analysis video

LATERAL STABILITY ANALYSIS

VBDP V9.0, "Lateral Stability Analysis" video

PORPOISING ANALYSIS

VBDP V8.11, "Porpoising Analysis" video

• Specialized Powerboat Design Software:
  VBDP® was developed specifically for powerboat design and performance prediction.

  • Not a generic CFD package adapted for marine use

  • No external plugins or post-processors required

  • No simplified estimating shortcuts

  • Purpose-built engineering algorithms for planing hull analysis

  Rather than relying heavily on empirical simulation tuning factors, VBDP® applies first-principles engineering methods developed specifically for realistic powerboat prediction.

• Advanced Parametric Hull Design:

  VBDP® is not simply a passive hull-surface analyzer.

  It is an active parametric design environment allowing designers to rapidly explore:

  • hull geometry changes

  • setup variations

  • aerodynamic effects

  • stability behavior

  • performance optimization

• AI-Driven Performance Analysis Report Wizard:
  Intelligent assistant:

  • summarizes predicted performance

  • explains engineering results in practical language

  • identifies possible performance limitations

  • suggests optimization opportunities tailored to the design  

• Run optimized performance analysis using any of four detailed analysis modes:
    1. Max Velocity/Test Velocity or
    2. Trim Angles at Full Power or
    3. Economy Mode (Lowest Power & Trim Angle) or
    4. Power Required for a specified Trim Angle. 
  Each mode provides results across the full velocity range.
• Analyze dynamic stability, porpoising, 'hump zone' behaviour, steps loading, trim response.
• Evaluate changes in:
  • deadrise
  • vee-pad width/height
  • step designs
  • weight distribution
  • engine setback
  • spray rails
  • lifting strakes
  • cockpit designs
  • and more...
• Optimize hull performance:
  • Top Speed
  • Load Carrying
  • Acceleration
  • mid-range efficiency
  • power requirements
  • stability at all speeds
  • much more
• Compare base and modified designs side-by-side, across the full velocity range
• Explore configurations for:
  • commercial
  • recreational
  • racing
  • utility
  • whitewater jets
  • bass boats
  • military hulls
  • RC performance models.
• More on What VBDP Can Do

• Detailed page User Manual
• On-screen context-sensitive help
• On-line Help Manual
• Hover-over help tips
• Installation  via CD or USB.
• Extensive video tutorials
• Regular software updates and feature additions over 25 years [check out newest updates here]
• Personal support directly from developer.
• Published design articles and white papers

Testimonials 

• “I just received my TBDP and I LOVE it! The new features are FANTASTIC!”
  - RJ, Australia
• “It saved me ten times the cost by allowing me to optimize before building.”
  - Glenn L., Florida
• “Easy for novices and powerful for experts. The help file is a goldmine of performance knowledge.” - Greg Terzian, Scream&Fly Magazine
• "I highly recommend the Tunnel Boat Design software. It allowed us to build a boat from the ground up, and test it without having to build a prototype first. .. it tested within 0.1 mph of the projected speed.
  - Mike Breslin, Sport C World Champion
• See More testimonials here