Master's thesis in Naval Architecture & Offshore Engineering,
University of California at Berkeley, 12/87.
Presented April 6, 1988 to
the SNAME Northern California Section.
Awarded national SNAME Graduate
Paper Honor Prize, 12/88.
Abstract
The vortex lattice method is used to predict the forces on sailboard/fin
combinations that plane at high Froude number (Velocity / (g*Beam)^0.5). Results
compare well with existing analytical solutions and with experimental data for
Froude numbers greater than 4, corresponding to board speeds greater than 20
knots. The analysis also predicts that a speed increase of 55% (from 39 to 60
knots) is achievable by an increase in beam. The paper describes the physical
nature of planing, the mathematical model used and the effect of variations in
both sailing trim and geometry (camber, rocker, vee, concavity and planform). In
the appendices, the speed potential of a sailboard [generalization of Marchaj]
and a method for fin optimization [under the influence of a partial end-plate]
are discussed.