Hull performance can be influenced by many aspects, but a good hull design always results in excellent racing performance. Hydrofoil is the most simple and elegant solution to the problems current marine vessels are facing.
Hydrofoil help them propel much faster on the water. Hydrofoil boats are gaining more momentum on account of them being faster and speedier on the waters. An article published in mechstuff explain about hydrofoil.
Here’s an excerpt from that.
Why Do Ships Need Hydrofoil?
Whenever an object moves through a fluid, it experiences a drag force in opposite direction resisting the motion. So when a ship moves, it experiences a lot of drag force. Rough waters and turbulences reduce the efficiency of ships.
Hydrofoil is used to reduce the drag and increase the efficiency leaving the turbulences hamstrung.
History Behind Hydrofoil
1900s Alexander Graham Bell with his chief engineer, Casey Baldwin started experimenting & testing models based on designs of Forlanini.
Upon his request, the US Navy granted him two 350hp engines for his hydrofoil watercraft HD-4. In September 1919, the HD-4 set a world marine speed record of 114 km/h(71 mph), which stood for 2 decades!
How Hydrofoil Work?
Hydrofoil work in a similar manner as airfoil work. In airfoil design, the air flows faster above the surface than underneath it creating a low-pressure zone on top. The pressure difference thus generates lift.
When the watercraft gains speed, the hydrofoil generates lift elevating most of its hull(at times the entire hull) out of water.
Since most of the watercraft is now in the air, the hull doesn’t generate drag along the way. Well, to be precise, it does produce but by the air which is significantly lower than what the water would’ve produced.
Use Of Hydrofoil Boat
These hydrofoil boats are mostly used for fishing but given the speed factor, these hydrofoil boats can be used for a multitude of purposes in the days to come. As cargo carriers, they can help to transport heavy materials across the ocean in a matter of days and weeks.
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Source- mechstuff.com
