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As technology continues to progress, designers, architects, and engineers hailing from all different disciplines are reaping the benefits of 3D design and ultra-fast modeling. Long gone are the days of flubbed designs and mountains of draft paper abandoned in the trash can. Now, the best and brightest minds can take advantage of innovative software solutions that take much of the guesswork about everything from measurement to compliance out of the design process.
The marine engineering and naval architect communities, including those who design and build watercraft, make use of these tools to develop better, more functional designs compliant with industry regulations and current design principles. From designing marine propellers in accordance with best practices to complete vessel designs that meet ABYC standards , good design is crucial for earning yacht certification and ensuring the overall safety and optimal functionality of components and vessels.
While there are countless software applications to choose from, not all adequately serve the needs of marine engineers and naval architects. From CAD to CAM to marine propeller design , hull design, and everything in between, we’ve done the legwork to help you quickly compare solutions and choose the software that best meets your boat design needs. Below, we’ve highlighted 50 of the best boat design software tools available on the market today. Please note, the following software solutions are organized alphabetically and are not ranked or rated in any way.
1. ActCAD™ @ACTcadSoftware
ActCAD™ markets itself as being a “best replacement” for traditional CAD software. It’s made to support the needs of a wide range of engineering and design projects, including boat and hull design. The software comes with a cost-effective perpetual license and is equipped with 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and rendering capabilities.
Key Features:
Cost: Contact for pricing
2. Autodesk® 3ds Max @autodesk
Autodesk® 3ds Max offers a cutting-edge, professional solution to the modern boat, hull, and ship designing engineer. The software consists of 3D modeling and rendering capabilities which allow the most aesthetically-conscious users to formulate the 3D boat models made to stand in for their final visions. 3ds Max also includes a built-in workflow system for better organization and collaboration throughout the design process.
Cost: $1,545/year
3. Autodesk® Fusion 360 @autodesk
Yet another Autodesk®-branded offering is Fusion 360, an integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE software that is designed to “eliminate your disconnected product development process.” By unifying these three systems, Fusion 360 offers its users innovative capabilities such as 3D design and modeling, simulation, generative design, documentation, collaboration, and even manufacturing support. The software company also provides its helpful Learn & Support module for new users of all experience levels.
4. Auto power
Auto power , a resistance and powering prediction program by Autoship, provides an advanced user interface made to optimize hull parameters within the designing and engineering processes. These specialized parameters are based on 12 expert-developed independent resistance and propulsion methods for displacement and semi-displacement, as well as hull and catamaran planning. As Auto power is an Autoship-developed and connected product, users reap the benefits of seamless data integration within the Autoship CAD/CAM suite.
5. Autoship CAD/CAM
The Autoship CAD/CAM promises to support users within the entirety of the design process, from “generating hull lines through to nesting of parts.” In addition to the aforementioned Auto power, the software also touts the Auto ship and Auto hydro Pro programs, two tools which are made to support the designer from the brainstorming process all the way to their finishing touches. Auto hydro Pro even offers advanced hydrostatics and stability calculations within a cutting-edge float simulator application.
6. AVEVA Hull Structural Design™ @AVEVAGroup
AVEVA Hull Structural Design™ is billed as being a “word-leading software for record breaking vessels.” This heavy-duty software package is built to provide key rapid definition and analysis during the ever-complex hull structural design process. It also integrates seamlessly with a number of other AVEVA Marine applications, resulting in less input time and fewer mistakes.
7. BaseLine Technology Marine Products
BaseLine Technology offers a wide range of marine engineering-related products designed to help build the strongest, most sound vessels possible. Its signature bundled packages are customizable and include classic CAD and modeling software such as Rhinoceros, Flamingo, and Penguin. BaseLine also provides a range of learning solutions for those just getting acquainted with these tools.
8. Bearboat Software
The Bearboat Software suite is specifically made for those tackling tough kayak (and kayak-adjacent) structural designs, making it one of the only kayak-specific programs available. Bearboat is a long-standing program that first hit the Internet over 20 years ago. Most recently, developers released Bearboat Pro, an optimized and updated version of the software that can handle Bearboat Classic designs, with the help of an application intermediary.
Cost: FREE
9. Blender @blender_org
Popular open source 3D creation software, Blender, is an entirely FREE, donation-based tool that provides excellent support to all types of designers, particularly those working in the marine engineering industries. The software is made to support the entire 3D pipeline, including modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking capabilities.
10. BoatExpress
BoatExpress Version 1.0 is an entirely free software that supports the complete boat design process for sailboats and motorboats with a hard or soft bilge. Tools include key data production on hull and hydrostatic elements, multiple drawing canvas options, auto-generated drawing stations, and streamlined resistance force graphs.
11. Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore @BV_Marine
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore offers up a healthy sampling of software products based on its research that are designed to ensure structural efficacy, as well as compliance. Currently, the organization has a range of different programs available within six pertinent design and safety categories, including Structural Design and Rules Analysis, Seakeeping and Mooring Analysis, Stability Analysis, Propulsion and Shaft Alignment Analysis, and Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Analysis.
12. CADMATIC Marine Software Solutions @CADMATICOy
The CADMATIC suite of marine design software gives engineers the tools they need to cut down on time both in the design and production processes for greater prefabrication and pre-outfitting of blocks. The company even claims that its software is currently the “fastest to implement on the market.” The highly-intricate product is made for those who design some of the most impressive vessels sailing today; it offers detailed design advice, diagrams, welding management tools, 3D viewers, electric design elements, and much more.
13. CAESES® Ship Hull Design @CAESES
Modeling and CFD software-maker CAESES provides an integrated solution for naval architects in its Ship Hull Design program. In it, users are able to build and construct parametric ship models that boast the smartest shape control possible. The software is designed to let the user complete the three most key tasks: 1) creating a variable hull model, 2) connecting a CFD for streamlined studies, and 3) picking the most optimized hull shape possible.
14. Carlson Design Hull Designer
Hull Designer by Carlson Design is a highly-interactive hull design program that features intuitive visuals and 3D features. In addition to boasting a sleek, user-friendly interface, the software provides all that a naval architect needs to construct a sound vessel including pattern creation, chine design advice, buoyancy and waterline length checks, and much more.
15. DELFTship
DELFTship by Delftship Maritime Software is a state-of-the-art program that has been designed from the ground up to fit the needs of today’s naval architects, all based on expert research conducted by TU Delft. DELFTship Free comes with a stunning display and produces fast 3D visuals, while DELFTship Professional takes it one step further by providing users with features like complex asymmetrical hull design support.
16. DraftSight® @Dassault3DS
DraftSight® by Dassault Systemes is a CAD software that is built for a variety of different engineering, design, and architecture professionals, including naval architects. Its signature 2D and 3D capabilities allow users to take advantage of advanced drafting support, as well as cutting-edge modeling technologies for the most accurate output possible. DraftSight® comes in a range of different forms to meet diverse skill levels and budgets, including DraftSight Standard (2D), DraftSight Professional (2D), DraftSight Premium (3D), and DraftSight Enterprise and Enterprise Plus.
17. Fairway @promatechltd
Fairway by Promatech describes itself as being a “software for design, fairing, manipulation of ship hull forms and conversions of models.” Fairway promises to deliver simple, intuitive features that feel like hand-drafting – except the technology offers many more benefits than the pencil and paper. Included in these features are automatically-processed lines, full control over line geometry, and fast exportation of hull data.
18. FastShip
FastShip is a basic ship design solution for designing hulls, superstructures, appendages, and other marine structures. The software, which is designed by Proteus Engineering, has a mission of providing users the ability to create fair surfaces in an accurate, ultra-timely manner. Most any hull feature can be effectively integrated into an original design, including bossings, bulbous bows, twin skegs, chines/knuckles, broken sheerlines, and circular bilge turns.
19. FINE™/Marine @NumecaInt
FINE™/Marine by Numenca International has dubbed itself as “the leading CFO software for naval architects and marine engineers,” and for good reason: this solution has proven itself to be one of the fastest solvers available on the market today. In addition to its long list of competitive capabilities, this software recently released a RHINO plug-in, allowing users to export to the popular interface with ease.
20. FreeCAD @FreeCADNews
As its name suggests, FreeCAD is an entirely free CAD system that is available for a convenient web download. In addition to boasting a good amount of the same features as the paid CAD competitors, FreeCAD also allows for 3D design-modeling that is as intuitive as it is precise, for production ready drawings. As a bonus, the system also adapts to a number of other file formats for seamless workflow integration.
21. Freeship Plus
This is a free solution that provides 3D hull design using hydrodynamics calculation tools. According to Softonic, Freeship Plus takes up far less space than others and is currently very popular in the naval architect and marine engineering communities of Canada, Germany, and France. Freeship Plus Version 3.13 is currently available for free download.
22. Hullform
Hullform is the perfect fit for hobbyists and professionals alike who are working to design a structurally-sound, basic hull for ships and sailboats. The software allows users a fair amount of flexibility in terms of experimentation. The interface lets users go in and smooth out lines, edit angles, and adjust the lateral offset with ease. In addition to ships and sailboats, Hullform can also handle other boat designs, such as those made for catamarans.
If you are on the lookout for a NURBS-based yacht modeling software, jSDN might be the right choice for you. The specialized software allows users to devise and customize any type of sailing yacht of their choice and works to include key elements such as the hull, spars, sails, and other appendages. jSDN is currently available for FREE download which a limited-time PRO version.
Cost: FREE with Pro version available (contact for pricing)
24. Leonardo Hull Software @RINA1861
RINA’s Leonardo Hull software uses the power of direct calculations to help guide boat designers and architects to develop the most sound drafts possible. The crystal-clear 3D components allow users to create specialized features for a range of modeling structures such as bulkheads, stools, and trunks. In addition to the structural support, Leonardo Hull also carries out FEM analysis.
25. MAAT Hydro
Sistre’s MAAT Hydro bills itself as being the “quickest access to professional hydrostatic.” As the claim suggests, MAAT Hydro is a cutting-edge hydrostatic solver that is designed to combine real-time analytics and high-level calculation utilities. Sistre offers a range of MAAT Hydro software solutions including MAAT Hydro Demo, MAAT Hydro +, MAAT Hydro ++, and the free MAAT Hydro Resources.
26. MAXSURF
MAXSURF provides a wide range of integrated naval architecture software solutions that are designed to fit the unique specifications of all types of vessels. Currently, the MAXSURF software suite offers a number of hard-hitting modules such as MAXSURF Modeller (Fitting, Resistance, and Motions included), MAXSURF Stability, and MAXSURF Structure for hull and appendage support.
27. MSC Software® @MSCSoftware
MSC Software® provides shipbuilding solutions and support for a large pool of marine engineers and naval architects, including recreational craft designers, tankers designers, and even those who design for defense and military purposes. The software is guided by its visual prototyping technology which takes into account fatigue testing, thermal performance, noise and vibration, and panel buckling, among many other things.
28. MultiSurf/SurfaceWorks by AeroHydro
AeroHydro is a CAD-based design package that includes popular names such as MultiSurf and SurfaceWorks. This highly-customized offering is designed so that naval architects and marine engineers are more easily able to create the very freeform surface shapes that are so hard to achieve in generic CAD software. Recently, AeroHydro added its Hydro feature which is a sleek hydrostatics and intact stability program.
29. NAPA @NAPAofficial
NAPA is a hull form design and hydrodynamics software that provides both eco-efficiency and safety for today’s ever-changing sea conditions. The software sees architects and engineers through the early drafting phases, all the way to build. It offers both real 3D topological and interactive surface modeling, as well as real automated hull form optimization with quick design variation and optimization algorithms. It also interfaces with any CFD software and is customizable to fit a range of unique design processes.
30. Nauticus Hull
Nauticus Hull is a hull design software that focuses on strength assessment for a large variety of ship structures. Once the design is complete, users are able to use the unique modules provided to check compliance, including IACS Common Structural Rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers (CSR BC & OT) and DNV GL Rules. Nauticus Hull also seamlessly integrates with Sesam GeniE for FE modeling, post-processing, and code check.
31. NavCad @HydroCompInc
NavCad by HydroComp, Inc. is a premier software that focuses on the prediction and analysis of both vessel speed and power performance. The flexible software is used by ship and boat builders, but also naval architects, marine engineers, propulsion equipment manufacturers, and even hydrodynamicists and researchers. Unique features include bare-full resistance prediction, steady-state propulsion analysis, propeller selection advice, and much more.
32. Onshape @Onshape
Onshape is famous for being the one and only product development platform that merges the capabilities of CAD, data management, collaboration, and real-time analytics. Boat designers of all disciplines reap the benefits of Onshape’s CAD module which gives users the tools they need to create a sound vessel. Included in the CAD features are parametric modeling, simultaneous sheet metal tools, assemblies, drawings, and much more.
33. OpenSCAD @openscad
OpenSCAD is a free software that is designed for creating solid 3D CAD objects, complex vessels included. The specialized software operates on two modeling techniques – constructive solid geometry (CSG) and 2D line extrusion. Unlike some of the sleeker, paid competitors, OpenSCAD focuses less on artistic rendering and more on the nitty-gritty details of the design for improved structural integrity and safety.
34. Orca3D @Orca3D
Orca3D is the premier software for engineers and architects as it merges pertinent naval elements into the widely-used Rhino 3D environment. Orca 3D boats an easy-to-use, dual-module system that includes hull design and fairing and intact hydrostatics and stability (Level 1) and speed/power prediction and weight and cost training (level 2). Orca 3D also offers an add-on CFD package for better modeling and performance.
Cost: $1,390-$3,470 (depending upon license selected)
35. PolyCAD
PolyCAD allows its users to “create, manipulate, import and export geometry for yacht and ship yacht design.” The software provides a sensitive surface modeling capability that takes into account a number of important hull design features. This is supported through modules like Sections, Curves and Surfaces, Parametric Hull Generation, IntelliHull, and X-Topology Multi-Patch Surfaces. PolyCAD also includes extensive support on naval architecture and analysis, as well as hull surface geometry reconstruction.
36. Poseidon
Poseidon is an ultra-specialized hull design software that assesses the strength of custom ship hull structures. It contains a vast array of modeling functions and comprehensive analysis capabilities that are made to test the integrity of even the most complex designs. The software supports a full 3D modeling scope and special tools are included for hatch cover assessment.
37. PrimeShip @ClassNKEOD
PrimeShip is a software service that assesses the overall health of a ship throughout its entire lifecycle, starting from the design phase. Created by ClassNK, the PrimeShip suite includes a range of software options to fit a variety of needs including ship performance capability modules, rule calculation systems, bulk carrier classifications, and even a CAD interface. PrimeShip also offers software support once the vessel is built with its machinery, operation, maintenance, and environment modules.
38. ProBasic 3
ProBasic 3 by New Wave Systems, Inc. is an updated, more lightweight version of ProSurf 3, a classic hull design and analysis software. This low-priced, ultra-flexible software allows users to assess the most pertinent design and architectural data, including hydrostatics, stability, and resistance calculations. New Wave Systems, Inc. also offers other versions of the software with and without added capabilities for heightened customization.
Cost: $195
39. PROLINES 2019
PROLINES 2019 is a program that is expecting a new release (PROLINES 8) in the latter half of 2019. The software includes a host of impressive features including 3D printing and rendering file capabilities, high-speed image rendering, and much more. This software is specifically written to meet the needs of Windows 10 users.
40. Rhino 3D @BobMcNeel
Rhino 3D is a groundbreaking and widely-used software that is famous for its rendering, animation, and NURB translation capabilities. It boasts 3D rendering tools so advanced that their qualities reach products 20-50x their price, and its legendary interface is simple enough for even the newest users to master. The Rhino 3D modeler is now available for Mac OS X.
Cost: $695-995
41. SARC PIAS
PIAS, the professional ship design software from SARC, is a favorite of naval architects worldwide as it offers a range of highly-researched certified calculation methods for the most flawless, compliant designs possible. After making an initial purchase, users can rest easy knowing that SARC is hard at work making constant improvements to the software. Current modules cover hydrostatics, hull design, resistance and propulsion, and much more.
SHAPE by MasterShip allows users to generate a 1:1 faired production model of hulls and superstructures. The software aids in the creation of 3D shapes, using the multi-surfaces principle to define and connect multiple surfaces. In terms of fairness support, SHAPE always provides precision so that even the most complex examples of curvature are displayed.
43. Shape Maker©
Shape Maker© is an offering from Marine Software Integration (MSI) that is one of the most unique ship surface modeling solutions on the market today. It takes in virtually all lines and surfaces to aid in the seamless forming of hulls, superstructure, wheelhouses, masts, thrusters, anchor pockets, appendices, and more. The program also allows for the helpful import/export of DXF and IGES.
44. SketchUp @SketchUp
SketchUp is an ultra-popular 3D design software that gives users the tools they need to achieve fast, flawless 3D designs on the web. Though the software is geared heavily towards building design theory, there are a number of 3D elements that make it suitable for marine engineers and naval architects designing vessels.
45. SOLIDWORKS @SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS by Dassault Systemes is a well-rounded 3D software tool that is built to manage designs throughout their entire life cycles. In addition to including many of the standard features of its competitors, SOLIDWORKS also boasts a simple interface for easy learning, as well as an active online community that promotes tips-sharing and education.
SPLASH is a specialized software program designed by South Bay Simulations, Inc. that focuses on tackling surface panel code, flow simulation, and performance prediction for all types of yachts and ships. In October 2019, South Bay Simulations, Inc. will release new versions of the software. Demo versions are available here .
47. TouchCAD
Those searching for a combined 3D modeling and unfolding CAD program need look no further than TouchCAD, a solution that generates complex 3D shapes for simple conversion. TouchCAD’s bread and butter is marine design, but it also works well for a range of other tasks, including sheet metal objects and others used in industrial and architectural design.
48. Tunnel Boat Design Program Software @aerom
AeroMarine Research’s Tunnel Boat Design Program Software (TBDP) is a PC-based program designed for performance analysis for all hulls, power catamarans, modified tunnels, and more. Users experience heightened fuel efficiency and a much more streamlined design process as opposed to simple drafting. The recently released TBDP Version 8 is now available.
49. Wolfson Unit Marine Design Software
Wolfson Unit supplies a wide range of marine design software to its diverse global client base. Currently, Wolfson Unit offers software focused on disciplines such as hydrostatics and stability, design, and resistance and propulsion. To sweeten the deal, the company also has free options and onboard programs available.
Key Features:
50. ZW3D @ZWSOFT
ZW3D by ZWSOFT is an all-in-one CAD/CAM that is one of the most elaborate, yet cost-effective of its kind. Users report a great deal of time saved – 300% to be exact – as well as more stable and much faster modeling regeneration than the competitors. New for 2019, ZW3D boasts an upgraded translator that allows users to easily collaborate with the most popular file formats.
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More than ever before, sailing fans are gaining an interest in catamaran layouts and designs that define performance. Many others are also looking into either buying a cruising catamaran or designing and building one. While building a catamaran is no piece of cake, this article shows you how to create the perfect cruising catamaran layout.
To create the perfect catamaran layout, carefully consider factors like a good hull design, optimal helm station placement, boat stability, and adequate load-carrying capacity. Excellent galley positioning, ease of handling, and spacious living and sleeping quarters are also crucial.
The modern cruising catamaran is a far cry from the simple Polynesian double canoe of old. That’s because structural innovations and new composite materials have resulted in multihulls with impressive cruising abilities. Keep reading to learn more about exceptional catamaran layouts.
The early cruising catamaran designs resulted in boats that could sail much faster than traditional sailing boats. In addition, they could glide with ease in shallow waters and required less wind and crew. Unfortunately, these cruising cats were heavy, had small, cramped interiors, and boasted somewhat challenging handling abilities.
Today’s cruising catamarans are different. They boast the utmost comfort, high speeds, and the safety of a well-designed cruising yacht. They are also more exciting, visually appealing, deliver the smoothest of rides, and sport more spacious interiors.
Have a look at the below video showcasing the top ten cruising catamarans:
Cruising catamaran designers understand what most sailors look for in a cruising vessel. They, therefore, design cruising multihulls that address these pertinent issues and more. Some of the features you might want to consider having in your dream boat include the following:
Now that you know what a cutting-edge catamaran features, let’s look at how to create the perfect cruising catamaran layout.
The early catamarans ranged between 36-42 feet (10.9-12.8m). At the time, this appeared to be a good size in terms of safety and ease of handling. However, the boats were heavy, and the additional drag and displacement adversely affected their performance and windward ability.
It’s now possible to make the new generation catamarans lighter, larger, and more spacious with excellent power-to-weight features. The current trend is larger-sized catamarans in the 45-50 feet (13.7- 15.2) range. Composite engineering and technologically advanced equipment such as furling systems, electric winches, and autopilot make it easier for a smaller crew to sail larger boats with confidence. And to do so without compromising safety or stability.
A cruising catamaran’s performance depends on three main aspects; its length, the sail area, and the boat’s weight. Long boats are generally fast. A light boat with more sail area is also faster than a heavier boat with less sail area. In other words, you can make a multihull faster by making it longer, lighter, or adding more sail.
However, there are exceptions to this rule; a boat with too much sail area is more likely to capsize if there are brisk winds. Also, if the boat’s design makes it too light, it’ll be unable to handle much punishment, while a hull design that’s too slim would make the vessel incapable of carrying any significant loads. But that’s not all; if the boat is too long or too large, it’ll become grossly exorbitant. Narrow hull shape might also mean smaller cabins.
Nonetheless, these three factors alone are not enough to determine a cruising catamaran’s performance. While faster boats boast finer hulls, the wetted surface area tends to increase as fineness increases; thus, fine hulls end up becoming less fast in low wind speeds. Also, very wide hulls mean a reduction in actual performance.
The Prismatic Coefficient (Cp), a measure of how full the ends of the hull get, is the most essential design hull shape factor for any catamaran. A high Cp equals high speeds, although you can still use a lower Cp if you have fine hulls. Nevertheless, the key to a good Catamaran design is a higher Cp for fast sailing.
To achieve a high Cp, there are several things you can do:
The open cockpit is now a thing of the past. Instead, pioneering designers for catamaran manufacturers like Nautitech, Gunboat, and Catana now replace traditional-style salons, cockpits, and cabins with spacious indoor and outdoor living spaces. The concept involves merging separate saloon and cockpit areas with duplicate lounge spaces and the use of hard-wearing composite materials.
You can also design the cabin to suit your preferences. You may decide to add a cabin or remove one, add a bathroom, have the forward berth in the hull or on the wing deck.
Many catamaran owners have traditionally preferred bulkhead steering. This helm position remains popular, but twin stern steering positions come with more advantages since they provide greater sails visibility. The twin stern positions are also best suited for racing or day sailing since they often lack adequate protection for extended cruising.
Exposed helms are not ideal for a long ocean passage. Go for a safe, secure, and well-protected helm station that provides good visibility and comfortable space for long watches. Again, it’s best to have all control lines at the helm to establish a static control station. Also, have all push-button-controlled winches, instruments, windlass, and autopilot prominently located inside the cockpit.
The flybridge design is appealing because it offers excellent visibility, more comfort, and additional entertainment and lounging space for everyone on board. Unfortunately for smaller boats – those below 50 feet (15.24m), there is minimal protection from the elements. As such, you might want to consider adding enclosures to offer protection. The flybridge, thus the helm, remains cut off from the vessel, which makes communicating with the crew a challenge.
Average cruising catamarans typically utilize fixed keels while high-performance cats have daggerboards . Fixed keels allow you to beach your catamaran easily, and your hull remains intact if a collision occurs. While you lose some angle when sailing upwind, you gain more interior space in the hulls that you can put to good use.
Daggerboards are essential in a performance cruising catamaran since they guarantee that the boat delivers good upwind sailing, including during difficult situations. During long passages, they allow you to point better upwind though the drawback is that they consume much interior space within the cruising catamaran’s hulls.
Since flying on foils ( hydrofoils ) isn’t that practical on cruising catamarans, designers of larger-sized boats have also come up with modified daggerboards. These daggerboards produce lift and prevent leeway, too, thereby improving performance significantly, as seen with the Catana 59’s curved daggerboards. These foil-like daggerboards lift the boat ever so slightly upon reaching higher speeds, making it feel less heavy and much faster.
At the end of the day, calculating the performance of a boat sailing in a wide range of varying seas and winds might not be easy – despite a daggerboard or fixed keel configuration. This is because upwind speed depends not only on the sails’ quality but also windage and the height of the bridgedeck beyond the water.
Galley layout are becoming more and more important as more people, including families, start sailing regularly. While at sea, your galley needs to be a safe place, well-ventilated, and functional. Everything should be well-thought-out for the sailor’s comfort, including handholds to make it safer to move around the boat.
While the galley location can either be up the bridgedeck or down in the hull, galley up appears to be the most popular trend. This makes the galley the focal point of both the living space and entertainment areas.
If you have a family, this placement is ideal since you make your meals from the galley and get to spend most of your time here. Many cruising families and couples prefer this arrangement and find separating the galley down the hull unappealing. Besides, carrying hot food up and down the staircase is unsafe.
Still, galley down is ideal for charter boats since it offers a private cooking area and uses up hull space efficiently.
The choice of either a production catamaran or a custom design might seem pretty straightforward. Production catamarans from major brands come backed by proven designs, dependable construction, solid warranties, and many years of experience. The catamarans are easy to service, source for parts, and most – particularly the owner’s versions – hold on to their value, making them much easier to resell.
On their part, custom boats are fantastic in that you can tailor them to your exact needs. However, they might be more challenging to maintain or service. That’s because of parts unavailability and lack of construction knowledge.
The best quality materials to use on your catamaran are both light and robust. While carbon fiber is great, plywood, plywood/epoxy, and strip-cedar are excellent materials too. What’s more, they are also affordable, so you don’t have to get too hung up on cutting-edge building materials. What matters is build quality; thus, a well-built plywood catamaran boat can last as long as a boat made from more high-tech materials.
Combining various materials also helps combat some of the issues that plague plywood boats in terms of resale value. At times, the design tends to make the boats appear pretty dated.
An important factor in handling a cruising catamaran is deck layout. Most cruising catamarans sailed short-handed , so if your boat has one helm, all lines should run back here to allow for a static control station for the entire boat.
The other essential element is visibility from the helm. The 360 degrees of visibility while maneuvering, docking, or underway is crucial to your boat’s safety, as well as life and property. As such, you should be able to view both bows, or at least the pulpits and sterns, while standing at the helm. If not, you may have challenges handling the boat due to blind spots.
A well-designed catamaran is enjoyable to sail in all weather conditions. It’s also much easier to handle than a monohull because of its widely spaced twin engines. But when you immerse extra hull depth, the vessel gets sluggish and moves slower, maneuvering in tight spots or when docking becomes more challenging. Furthermore, the hull submersion reduces bridge deck clearance, leading to hull slamming.
To allow for adequate load carrying capacity, you need a design that provides a generous displacement. This helps to ensure that you maintain reasonable bridge deck clearance even when fully loaded. It also allows you to avoid digging big holes in the water as you drag your transoms.
Displacement refers to the amount of buoyancy designed into the hulls, which essentially means that your boat will cruise better if its weight is less than your designed displacement.
Note that an overloaded catamaran not only loses out on performance but eventually, on safety too. To counter this, choose a lightweight catamaran with hulls bearing cored construction and interiors made of lightweight materials.
Remember, when you go cruising, you will need to carry fuel, extra water, supplies, equipment, and amenities, translating into thousands of extra pounds. Therefore, try and avoid the following design errors to ensure that your catamaran has an adequate load-carrying capacity:
A well-designed cruising catamaran is a joy to behold. Today’s modern technological advancements mean that you can buy or build a light but strong cruising catamaran. And as you can see from this article, there are many excellent cruising catamaran layouts that you can choose from.
However, whichever layout you decide on needs to fit your sailing needs and purposes to ensure you remain comfortable and safe while at sea. Above all, ensure that you go for a vessel that you can handle with ease in all weather conditions.
Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!
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Design ships with better flows! CAESES ® enables you to build robust parametric ship models with smarter shape control. It is the leading software solution for naval architects that are interested in CFD-based hull optimization – to create better flows around their designed vessels.
The focus of CAESES ® is on the underwater part of the ship: Create a variable hull model, connect your CFD and run studies. Finally pick an optimized hull shape that outperforms similar ships in the market.
Why using CAESES ® ? Consider a 14.000 TEU container vessel that runs with IFO380 fuel: By optimizing the vessel’s hull form with CAESES ® to gain a 4-5% improved efficiency, the ship operator can save more than 1.000.000$ of fuel costs – per year! At the same time, this helps saving our planet by massively reducing NO x , SO x and CO 2 emissions .
CAESES ® beneficiaries can save more than 1.000.000$ of fuel costs – pear year!
So how to start with the vessel optimization? First, set up a smart variable geometry while at the same time you build-in all your design constraints (displacement, center of buoyancy, hard points etc.). Save time by only generating feasible designs – manually or fully automated by using the intuitive variant management system of CAESES ® .
Create efficient parametric models to investigate skeg variations
No matter which kinds of ship hull forms you need to design and optimize – CAESES ® is a generalized hull modeler for any type of vessel!
CAESES allows you to design container vessels, yachts, tankers or even swath hull forms
If your time frame is short and you have no time for creating a whole model, you can use the efficient Lackenby shift transformations and other deformation methods of CAESES ® . These transformations allow you to intuitively reshape your hull, again manually or automated in an optimization. Works with any imported geometry!
Asymmetric aft body studies: Fast variant generation using free form deformations in CAESES
Ship hull optimization: Fast deformation of an existing bulbous bow geometry
In an easy-to-use and intuitive way, CAESES ® provides you the most important hydrostatic quantities such as displacement and moments of inertia etc. These values can be calculated manually for a new design, or fully automated for a set of design candidates.
Optimization of ship geometries including hydrostatic calculations for each design
CAESES ® closely integrates with your CFD and CAE analysis tools – no matter which CAE package you use. There is also an add-on for the CFD code SHIPFLOW , the industry standard for shipbuilding. Connect typical analyses to your CAESES ® model such as ship hull hydrodynamics, wave resistance, and wake field analyses, involve motion analyses of vessels and platforms with seakeeping codes, as well as propeller performance with CFD.
Wake field side-by-side comparison of design candidates in CAESES
CAESES includes postprocessing capabilities e.g. for fast comparison of different design candidates
By means of feature definitions , CAESES ® gives you a flexible and powerful environment to automate anything, including tedious pre-processing tasks such as the creation of clean surface meshes. See the article “ CFD Flow Domain for Ship Hulls from NAPA IGES Files ” for an example. It describes the single-click solution for generating a closed flow domain from unclean NAPA IGES files.
Quick generation of a closed flow domain from imported IGES files
As a new development (still in a beta phase), CAESES ® hull design setups can be fully wrapped into an easy-to-use interface, including meshing, CFD analysis and even optimization runs. Based on the tools that you use in your company. Just change the hull’s main dimensions and other project-specific key parameters and let CAESES ® do the number-crunching job of finding the optimal design candidate. Here is a short video that demonstrates how templates can be used from within a browser (see also the blog post about the SMM competition ).
Easy-to-use template models that include geometry generation, CFD and even optimization
CAESES ® allows you to create any type of marine propeller blades. It generally focuses on the advanced design of highly customized and optimized propellers. Point data can be automatically imported and interpolated or parameterized, and complex Excel sheets can be accessed or even completely transferred to the CAESES ® environment. CAESES ® comes with a set of NACA profiles, but sections can also be defined by yourself using the CAESES ® feature programming language . There are also complete parametric propeller setups based on standard series (e.g. Wageningen – see this blog post ).
Wageningen propeller: click on it to start a short demo video
CAESES ® gives you everything you need to model typical marine propellers and special types such as surface-piercing or racing propellers, high-skew propellers, ducted propellers and submarine propellers. The propeller add-on gets used by large companies such as ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Caterpillar .
Propeller Solids
CAESES ® is also able to create a solid propeller geometry from PFF files. Don’t waste time anymore with remodeling a propeller using traditional CAD systems. Just provide this simple ASCII file with your sectional data and generate a full propeller model including tip and hub – all with a single click, it just takes a few seconds. Such a model is ready for being manufactured but also for further studies such as CFD and stress analysis.
Tip and Fillet Modeling
There is dedicated functionality to close propeller tips with a smooth surface. For the fillet creation between the hub and the blade, you can choose between radii-based and variable-radii fillet surfaces. These fillets can also be varied and optimized automatically, if needed.
Choose between constant-radius fillets or define variable-radii fillets between the hub and the blade surface
Propeller Boss Cap Fins
CAESES ® allows you to design and optimize all sorts of energy-saving devices such as propeller boss cap fins .
Please find a summary of the CAESES ® design capabilities for marine applications in this brochure (PDF) . There is also a short tech brief (PDF) about the most relevant features and benefits for ship hull form design in CAESES ® .
Aftbody Optimization
At FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS our heritage is in the Shipbuilding & Marine sector, and we count many of the largest shipbuilders in the world as our customers. We have best-in-class expertise in parametric modeling of hull forms, appendages, propellers, etc. In order to drive the innovation of our products, FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS has always been involved in challenging research projects for ship design and optimization.
CAESES ® is used by all leading ship design offices and ship yards in the world, such as Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) , Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), CSSC. In Germany, e.g. HSVA , TKMS, Meyer and Neptun Ship Design are using CAESES ® .
Further Interesting Articles and Videos
Here is a short read about a twin skeg study , and another blog post with a video about skeg modeling in 2 minutes . CAESES ® can also be used to design and optimize very special ship hull components such as spudcans (the “feet” of the jacking legs) . Interested in saving the planet? Read more about annual CO2 reductions by CAESES ® .
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you are interested in using CAESES ® for your specific marine application.
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Fast Ferries: Monohull, catamaran, trimaran, notable examples from Austal, Incat Crowther, Southerly Designs ... parametric transformation, upright hydrostatics, export to naval-architecture-specific 3rd party software etc. Improve design with accurate performance prediction Maxsurf has a range of efficient and accurate performance prediction ...
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Sailor, The short answer is no. The long answer is no. Even if the software can compute the numbers, it is up to the designer to determine what those numbers should be, and which numbers are important, and what trade offs are acceptable based on the boats intended purpose.
Multihull production sailboat manufacturers. Larger boatyards and custom shipbuilding. Yacht design software: 3D hull design, modeling, rendering, hydrostatics, and performance prediction. Online papers, books, and sites offering theoretical or technical information. Reviews of boat design and boatbuilding books.
The Goodall VIPER is the ultimate sports car. With over 30 years of catamaran design experience and the latest in design software, the VIPER was designed for high-performance racing catamaran teams who were just too light to mix it in the F18. Ideal for mixed or youth teams, the VIPER is light and responsive in every aspect and this will give ...
Catamaran Design Books and Software. Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by Pirate Rob, Nov 29, 2007. Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next > Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 1 ... I'm interested in refining a small catamaran design of mine (Similar to A-Class cat) and I'm looking for more information. I don't have any specialized boat design books yet so I need to build ...
VBDP Version 8.11 -Design, analyze, optimize the performance of your Vee hull or Vee-pad hull; with ALL the features of TBDP. Optimize your vee hull and Vee-pad performance the easy way! Technical, design and performance articles on many subjects for TUNNEL boats, Powercats, VEE hulls and vee-pad hulls. All the articles, papers are FREE.
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