Sails optimization for an America’s cup yacht
In the past editions of the America’s Cup a deep research on sails was made in order to increase the yachts performances: the experimental campaign performed on a scaled yacht model of the Prada syndicate challenger develops in this context. The model includes a simplified hull and different sail plans made of soft materials that permit to trim as in operating conditions. Aerodynamic forces on the model were measured to compare different sails and different regulations.
In order to properly reproduce the wind profile encountered by the yacht when sailing we need to consider the composition between the wind velocity and the boat velocity: this results in a vertical wind profile that changes both in terms of magnitude and in terms of angles. This peculiar profile was obtained in the wind tunnel through a special device, the Twisted Flow Device. This permits to realize the desired flow conditions by an array of vanes properly twisted.
Year: 2001-2006
Client: Luna Rossa srl
Area: Commercial project