Developing Hull Design Modifications for Improved Hull Form to Complement Appendage, Rig, and Sail Improvements, Extending the Complement Appendage, Rig, and Sail Improvements, Extending the Competitive Racing Life of the Yacht

In performance sailing, incremental improvements are made over time due to improved design, advances in manufacturing and the availability of higher-performance materials. Over the competitive lifespan of a performance yacht, it is normal to utilise or ‘accessorise’ a yacht with these improvements where they are available for appendages, rigs and sails, as developments are made in these areas. This paper looks at the less often explored possibility of extending this development in the pursuit of performance to the development of the yacht’s hull form. While it is recognised that significant performance advances can be made to a yacht through the adaption of the improvements in areas other than the hull form, making these improvements without also considering the potential performance gains achievable through subtle hull form modification means a significant component of the yacht’s full potential could go unrealised. The methodology presented looks at the performance profile of the yacht and how this evolves over time with the application of a more efficient rig, sail plan and appendages, and how this affects the optimum sailing trim for the yacht across a range of conditions. Evaluating the optimum performance profile of the newer equipment allows us to then establish what modifications to key hull form characteristics would best complement this new performance profile.