A practical power prediction of an asymmetric catamaran hull form

Power prediction for an asymmetric catamaran is challenging. Standard series and regression-based methods for asymmetric catamarans are scarce and often demanding in their application due to the multitude of hull parameters involved. Computational methods are difficult to apply in terms of modelling the transom, hull interference and dynamic trim; many simplifications are necessary providing questionable results. Whilst the form factor approach is generally only applied to mono-hull, displacement type forms there are encouraging results to extend the method to asymmetric forms with caution, although there is no published data on such a method. This paper details a practical power prediction approach and its application undertaken by the University of Newcastle on an asymmetric semi-displacement catamaran hull form. A comprehensive series of model tests were performed to assess the suitability of the selected statistical methods and to verify the CFD predictions.