KEEL DESIGN FOR LOW VISCOUS DRAG

Foil and planform parameters that govern the level of viscous drag produced by the keel of a sailing yacht are discussed. It is shown that the application of laminar boundary-layer flow offers great potential for increased boat speed resulting from the reduction in viscous drag. Three foil shapes have been designed and it is shown that their hydrodynamic characteristics are very much dependent on location and mode of boundary-layer transition. The planform parameter that strongly affects the capabilities of the keel to achieve laminar flow is leading-edge sweep angle. The two significant phenomena related to keel sweep angle that can cause premature transition of the laminar boundary layer are crossflow instability and turbulent contamination of the leading-edge attachment line. These flow phenomena and methods to control them are discussed in detail. The remaining factors that affect the maintainability of laminar flow include surface roughness, surface waviness, and freestream turbulence. Recommended limits for these factors are given to insure achievability of laminar flow on the keel. In addition, the application of a simple trailing-edge flap to improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of a foil at moderate-to- high leeway angles is studied.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00224502
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Journal article
• Authors:
  • Obara, C J
  • van Dam, C P
• Publication Date: 1989-6

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 11 p.
• Serial:
  • Journal of Ship Research
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue Number: No.2
  • Publisher: Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
  • ISSN: 0022-4502
  • EISSN: 1542-0604
  • Serial URL: https://onepetro.org/jsr

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Keels; Resistance (Mechanics); Ships; Vehicle design; Viscosity; Yachts
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ship design
• Old TRIS Terms: Viscous resistance
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00657716
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Technical Information Facility
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 21 1994 12:00AM