Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-cx56b Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-18T03:04:06.534Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Aerodynamic and hydrodynamic aspects of high-speed water surface craft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

R. K. Nangia
R. K. Nangia*
Affiliation:
Bristol
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

High speeds on water are being attained in racing sport and in attempts on world speed records in various classes. Success, safety and stability of these craft depends upon the favourable interaction of their aerodynamic and hydrodynamic characteristics under the influence of two media, one about 800 times denser than the other. Speed on the straight course and in turns is important.

As its velocity increases, a craft experiences increasing dynamic pressure in water and to maintain the balance, the ‘wetted’ area of the craft reduces as it rises up (‘planing’). Modern fast craft have ‘tunnel-hulls’ and lifting areas to generate aerodynamic lift and to assist the craft to attain planing attitudes rapidly.

The ‘lifting’ areas may not necessarily be in the correct locations however. An example often seen is that of a power boat riding virtually on its propeller and ‘wallowing’ in an unstable manner. In this case the variation in riding height alters the relative positions of centres of aero- and hydro-lift such that the ‘stability-margins’ are near critical in both the longitudinal and the lateral sense.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 91 , Issue 906 , July 1987 , pp. 241 - 268
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1987 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Curtis, C. Back and Beyond, Powerboat and Waterskiing, January 1984, 42, 43.Google Scholar
2. Powerboat and Waterskiing, November 1983, 28–29.Google Scholar
3. Powerboat and Waterskiing, July 1984, 40–41.Google Scholar
4. Powerboat and Waterskiing, June 1985, 14.Google Scholar
5. Canell, D. and Leather, J. Modern Developments in Yacht Design, Adlard Coles Limited, 1976.Google Scholar
6. Desmond, K. The Guinness Book of Motoring Facts and Feats, Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 1979.Google Scholar
7. Mudie, C. Power Boats, The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, 1975.Google Scholar
8. Norris, L. H. and Norris, K. W. The Hydroplane ‘Bluebird', The Engineer, March 1957, 474–479.Google Scholar
9. Levi, R. Dhows to Deltas, Nautical Publishing Company, 1971.Google Scholar
10. Campbell, L. The Philosophy Behind Skean Dhu, Waterskier and Powercraft, June 1980, 6–7.Google Scholar
11. Scibor-Rylski, A. J. Road Vehicle Aerodynamics, Pentech, 1975.Google Scholar
12. Powerboat and Waterskiing, July 1979, 8.Google Scholar
13. Brown, R. Rocket Man, Powerboat and Waterskiing, July 1980, 14–15.Google Scholar
14. Mondey, D. The Schneider Trophy, Robert Hale & Company, 1975.Google Scholar
15. Staufenbiel, R., and Kleineidam, G. Longitudinal Motion of Low-Flying Vehicles in Nonlinear Flowfields, ICAS-80-7.3, 293-308, ICAS Proceedings, Munich 1980.Google Scholar
16. Jane's Surface Skimmers, 1985.Google Scholar
17. Gunston, W. Hydro-Ski Fighter, Aeroplane Monthly, December 1975, 634–639.Google Scholar
18.Payne Inc., Aerospace and Marine Engineering Company Brochure.Google Scholar
19. The Sunday Times Magazine, February 1985.Google Scholar
20. Du Cane, P. High Speed Small Craft, David and Charles Ltd, 1974.Google Scholar
21. Schaffer, R. K., Cox, C. G. and Garthwaite, R. L. An Engineering Approach to Hydroplane Design, AIAA Paper No. 72-608, July 1972.Google Scholar
22. Powerboat and Waterskiing, July 1980, 23.Google Scholar
23. Katz, J. and Levin, D. Measurements of Ground Effect for Delta Wings, Journal of Aircraft, June 1984, 21, 6, 441–443.Google Scholar
24. De Vault, R. T. ‘Prove your Theory First’,from a US Powerboating magazine, July 1976.Google Scholar