The prediction of seakeeping performance and added resistance in the design of multihull vehicles

This paper is concerned about the prediction of vertical motions and added resistance in waves of catamaran and trimaran vehicles by using a three dimensional panel method based on Rankine sources, developed at University of Genoa. The methodology can evaluate motions in head or oblique waves provided that diffracted and radiated waves are slower than the ship (reduced frequency > 0.25). With the purpose of validating the method and to show the possibility of its practical use in the design of multihull marine vehicles, its application to a catamaran and to a trimaran is presented. For both these ships experimental values are available. As a further investigation a catamaran fitted with a submerged central bulb is also presented.