Model Tests of a Stepped Planing Boat with an Adjustable Stern Stabilizer

摘要

A stepped hull is being developed which has an adjustable planing stabilizer at the stern for balance, stability, and control of trim. At high speed, this craft planes on a small area forward of the step (which is located approximately at midlength), with the stern supported by the adjustable stabilizer. Since the afterbody wetted area is eliminated at high speed, the frictional resistance, and accordingly the total drag also are considerably lower than for the conventional planing boat. Furthermore, at high speed the trim angle of the main forebody planing surface can be adjusted to the value for minimum drag by adjusting the vertical position of the stabilizer. This report gives the results of tests of several variations of the first model of this type of craft which was designed and extensively tested. The effects on performance are shown of changes in the following: spray strip configuration, LCG location, weight, step depth, and afterbody shape. (Author)