Hull–propeller interaction for planing boats: a numerical study

Numerical simulations are performed to study the interaction between propeller and hull for two planing vessels: a hard-chine and a tunnelled craft. The numerical model used for reproduction of the problem is validated by comparing the obtained results against published data, showing that a morphing technique is more reliable compared to an overset one. It is demonstrated that propellers strongly affect the performance of a vessel by increasing trim angle and decreasing resistance, which are caused by a noticeable pressure reduction occurring near propellers. These changes are more significant for the case of a tunnelled hull since hydrodynamic pressure acting on the bottom of this vessel is larger compared to a hard-chine craft. While resistance of hulls is seen to be influenced by variation in the position of the propellers at early-planing mode, trim angle is seen to be insensitive to the position of propellers at all speeds.