Velocity prediction program

A Velocity prediction program or VPP is a program which solves for the performance of a sailing yacht in various wind conditions by balancing hull and sail forces. VPPs are used by yacht designers, boat builders, model testers, sailors, sailmakers and America's Cup teams to predict the performance of a sailboat before it has been built or prior to major modifications.

Background

The first VPP was developed at MIT during the early 1970's when Commodore H Irving Pratt funded research to predict the performance "of a sailing yacht, given knowledge of its hull, rig and sailplan geometry."

Methodology

VPPs have a basic input-output structure. The two most important input variables are true wind speed, V_T and heading angle, &beta_T.

Structure

Hydrodynamic force model

Aerodynamic force model

Solving and optimization

Presentation

References

Claughton, Wellicome and Shenoi (1998). Sailing Yacht Design: Theory. University of Southampton, 109-143. ISBN 0-85432-829-7.

External links

IMS Rule Book