A unique free-surface flow methodology and its application to design and analysis of IACC yachts are discussed. Numerical aspects of the inviscid panel code and details of the free-surface boundary condition are included, along with enhancements developed specifically for the '92 America's Cup defense. Extensive code validation using wind tunnel and towing tank experimental data address several areas of interest to the yacht designer. Lift and induced drag at zero Froude number are studied via a series of isolated fin/bulb/winglet appendages. An isolated surface piercing foil is used to evaluate simple lift/free­surface interactions. For complete IACC yacht models, upright wave resistance is investigated, as well as lift and induced drag at heel and yaw. The excellent correlation obtained for these cases demonstrates the value of this linear free-surface methodology for use in designing high performance sailing yachts.

Keywords:
froude number, south bay simulation, velocity component, yacht, hydrodynamic design, interior potential, coefficient, splash free-surface flow code methodology, sailing yacht, free-surface code
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1993. The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
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