Trimaran Model Test Results and Comparison with Different High Speed Craft

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the results of a research program on high speed trimarans, jointly performed at Genoa, Naples, and Trieste Universities. Two geosim models of a trimaran hull equivalent to high speed vessels operating in the bay of Naples were built. Resistance tests were carried out to assess the best trim and configuration regarding the hydrodynamic resistance. Resistance and wave pattern tests were carried out separately on the main hull, on the outrigger, and on the trimaran. Due to very slender hulls the wave resistance of the considered trimaran is a low percentage of the total resistance and the wave interference phenomenon is generally beneficial to the trimaran. Preliminary seakeeping tests in regular waves show very significant differences of heave and pitch motions of the trimaran with respect to those of its main hull. The reported data seem to indicate a significant beneficial effect of the outriggers on the seakeeping performances.