Other High-Speed Multihull Craft

Abstract

In previous chapters we introduced catamarans of a displacement or semiplaning type with some information on resistance for the planing hull form as used mainly by wave piercers. We explained that, owing to the catamaran demihull's slender length/beam ratio aimed at reducing wave-making drag, such craft would not operate in the planing region as the Froude number Frl remains below around 0.75, even for high service speed (Table 1.1), so the hydrodynamic lift proportion would not be more than 20% of displacement, even if a hard chine demihull form is used. In this chapter we will discuss other design alternatives for high-speed vessels, including those targeted at speeds above Frl = 1.0.