STUDY OF HYDROFOIL SEACRAFT, VOLUMES 1 AND 2

The study was conducted for the purpose of determining the type of hydrofoil craft best suited to future express cargo and passenger applications and to establish design criteria for such craft. The investigation was based on hydrofoil craft with speeds from 50 to 200 knots, gross weights from 100 to 3,000 tons and ranges from 400 to 3,600 nautical miles without limitations on hardware or economic considerations. Among the conclusions drawn from the study are: 1) hydrofoil seacraft with any combination of speed and gross weight within the limits of the study are feasible; 2) hydrofoil craft can operate at more than three times the speed of fast displacement vessels while maintaining the same payload percentage; and 3) it is possible to maintain acceptable passenger comfort levels in such craft while operating at normal cruise speeds in high seas. Some of the conclusions reached concerning design of hydrofoil craft are: 1) the use of a subcavitating hydrofoil section at low design speeds and a supercavitating section at high speeds produces best results; 2) a split lateral configuration is most desirable for either subcavitating or supercavitating foil sections; and 3) air propellers and supercavitating water propellers are deemed the most efficient propulsion devices.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number G-7-S-Vol-1 & 2.
• Corporate Authors:

  Grumman Aircraft Corporation

  ,    

  Dynamic Developments, Incorporated

  ,    
• Publication Date: 1958-10-30

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 412 p.
• Serial:
  • Volume: 42

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Hydrofoil boats; Supercavitating hydrofoils
• Old TRIS Terms: Hydrofoil craft; Subcavitating foils
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00027676
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: Tech Rpt
• Contract Numbers: MA-1730
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 9 1973 12:00AM