The effect of bulbous bows on the resistance and powering performance of a forty-five foot trawler yacht

Abstract

Several Newfoundland boat builders are interested in the ability to switch over from building fishing vessels to building yachts and other pleasure craft for the North American and European market or starting up yacht building operations. -- This project is intended to provide them with an optimized trawler type yacht hull design with thoroughly tested and well documented performance characteristics. This information can then be used in their marketing efforts to break into this market that is new to them. -- To partially complete this objective a series of tests were completed in the MUN OERC towing tank as well as in the IOT Ice Tank facility. Testing consisted of both bare hull resistance and self-propulsion tests. These tests are able to determine the powering performance of the vessel in calm water. -- This report details the set-up, test procedure, and analysis of results of all testing completed on the hull with each of the bows designed. Also provided are detailed conclusions of the results as well as recommendations for further study of this hull form.