Stability Assessment of a Catamaran Using Sea Trials

Despite the continued rise in popularity of powered catamarans for recreational and commercial applications, there is limited published research on the factors that improve or reduce a powered catamaran’s hydrodynamic stability. There is no definitive research on a catamaran’s hydrodynamic stability during a turn, and current regulations to control the risks are proving ineffective for modern speeds and power. Research on the hydrodynamic stability of catamarans was conducted using a custom-built vessel and its multi-sensor data logger. Test results confirmed serious concerns for safety regulation and acceptance testing of powered catamarans for hydrodynamic stability. The experiments have produced new insights as to why powered catamarans are at risk of capsizing and created a baseline for future testing. The work reported in this article provides an original characterisation of the multi-factor relationships that impact the instability of a powered planing catamaran. The results provide a starting point for the creation of a predictive model and approach to improve catamaran design and safety.