March 3, 2026

GAN-411 Velocity Prediction Program for Multihulls

Key Points

The velocity prediction program predicts sailing performance and evaluates multihull design accuracy, engaging advanced hydrodynamic models.
With testing on three multihulls, including the Hobie 16, the program utilizes hydrostatic calculations to optimize designs.
Employing the semi-empirical approach for sail forces integrates established methods used by the Offshore Racing Congress.
This work highlights the need for better multihull performance assessment tools, filling a gap in current maritime literature.

Abstract

Velocity Prediction Programs (VPP) entail a very powerful tool for assessing performance and optimizing the design of all type of vessels, especially for sailing ones. However, multihulls’ literature is lacking in this area. The purpose of this project is to design and program a VPP for multihulls and evaluate the accuracy of this approach. A Lines Processing Program (LPP) was entirely programmed to supply the VPP the necessary vessel’s data and hydrostatic calculations. In addition, a compromise solution based on the Slender Body computational method was employed as the hydrodynamic resistance model. The sail forces were modelled with the semi-empirical approach with which ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) designed their VPP. The core of the Velocity Prediction Program itself, where all models were implemented and where the solver is executed, is Excel. Three different sailing multihulls were tested to evaluate the functioning and accuracy of the results, including a Hobie 16 catamaran.

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GAN-411 Velocity Prediction Program for Multihulls

Key Points

Abstract

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