Development and use of a velocity prediction program to compare the effects of changes to foil arrangement on a hydro-foiling Moth dinghy

The International Moth dinghy is a 3.355m long single handed, una-rigged monohull dinghy. The class rules allow the use of hydrofoil that in certain wind conditions can significantly reduce resistance. A new velocity prediction program (VPP) has been developed to evaluate the impact of hydrofoil design and set-up on the performance of a Moth dinghy by simulating racing on a windward - leeward course. The VPP generates polar diagrams indicating the speed of the craft in a range of true wind strengths and angles. Sail force and windage are modelled using aerofoil theory. The drag model includes hull skin friction and residuary resistance, profile and induced drag for every foil, wavemaking drag of the lifting foils and spray drag of the surface piercing foils. Using an iterative process the VPP determines the boat speed that balances resistive forces with drive force, heeling moment and righting moment and vertical lift forces with weight. A series of case studies demonstrate the use of the VPP by examining the effects of changing the span of the forward foil, adding end plates, and using different foil geometries on performance.