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Hitting the Waves

Posted December 21, 2007 8:24 AM

The "Earthrace" is due to set off from Valencia in Spain on 1 March to circumnavigate the world with engines fueled entirely by environmentally-friendly biodiesel fuel. But, as the sharp pointed bows on the boat's three hulls indicate, this is a machine intended to cut straight through waves rather than ride over them. In fact, the boat will often find itself more or less submerged since it is designed to have as much as seven meters of water above its windscreen.

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Guru
Popular Science - Weaponology - Scapolie, new member.

Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1058
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#1

Re: Hitting the Waves

12/22/2007 5:33 AM

Ah, but does it have a bulbous bow beneath the waterline of the main hull? This would reduce the friction caused by the water clinging to the outside of the hull.

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Hitting the Waves

01/03/2008 2:09 AM

To the best of my knowledge a bulbous bow only works above a critical size and mass. From my considerable experience at sea on yachts and ships most damage is done falling off waves so the worry is when hiting the water after having been left in the air by the receeding wave. The other great danger with speed on the water is hitting floating objects which need not be anywhere near as large as a container to inflict considerable damage.

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