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A velocity prediction program (VPP) is a computer 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, also America's Cup teams, to predict the performance of a sailboat before it has been built or prior to major modifications.
The sail area-displacement ratio (SA/D) is a calculation used to express how much sail a boat carries relative to its weight. [1]/ = [() /] = () In the first equation, the denominator in pounds is divided by 64 to convert it to cubic feet (because 1 cubic foot of salt water weights 64 pounds).
Aspect ratio and planform can be used to predict the aerodynamic performance of a sail. For a given sail area, the aspect ratio, which is proportional to the square of the sail height, is of particular significance in determining lift-induced drag, and is used to calculate the induced drag coefficient of a sail : [3] [30]
Hull speed can be calculated by the following formula: where is the length of the waterline in feet, and is the hull speed of the vessel in knots. If the length of waterline is given in metres and desired hull speed in knots, the coefficient is 2.43 kn·m −½.
A polar diagram, or polar plot, is a graph that shows a sailboat's potential speed over a range of wind speeds and relative wind angles. [1] It normally consists of the right side of a line chart with the radius representing the yacht speed and the angle representing the wind direction blowing from top to bottom.
Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) is a handicapping system used for yacht racing in North America. It allows dissimilar classes of sailboats to be raced against each other. The aim is to cancel out the inherent advantages and disadvantages of each class of boats, so that results reflect crew skill rather than equipment superiority.
Boat prices vary depending on the model, make, size, features and condition. For instance, an 18- to 25-foot used pontoon can cost between $8,000 and $12,000 .
The Cruising Club of America (CCA) put together a technical committee that analyzed race boat data. They came up with the formula to compare boats based on readily available data. The CCA characterizes the formula as "rough". A lower value is supposed to indicate a sailboat is less likely to capsize. A value of 2 is taken as a cutoff for ...