Refining Performance Hullforms

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“To improve or not to improve next year’s hull design?” That is the boatbuilder’s question behind this seminar. “Do I invest money in refining the hydrodynamics of my hull, or just keep it status quo?”  Production boatbuilders often feel locked into the proven models they have invested in molding and marketing for. Change can be daunting and expensive when they try to develop new hulls and models from scratch, and altering existing running surfaces and hullforms carries its own risk that on-water results may not be all that they intended.

Performance hull refinement experts Scott Porta and Naethan Eagles will let attendees take a peek behind the curtain on two hull refinement projects they are involved in this year. They’ll demonstrate how relying on a designer’s intuitive sense and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) expert’s powers of computer modeling can take much of the uncertainty and expense out of redesigning an existing model. Designers Jon Ames from Catalina Yachts and Jordan Angle from Willard Marine will join them to talk about the projects from the builder’s perspective and detail the nature of the collaborative process of modeling intended hull changes and making redesign decisions based on the advice and CFD analysis provided.

Jordan Angle, CEO of Willard Marine, brings a unique blend of 25 years professional experience in the Maritime and Tech industries. Over the past year, Jordan has relaunched Willard Marine’s 65 year history and reputation of building the highest quality and trusted military grade boats, while integrating best of class tech practices. Under Jordan’s leadership, Willard Marine is beginning to push creative and innovative products into the Maritime industry by becoming a technology driven Maritime manufacturer.

Naethan Eagles brings 25 years of experience in successfully taking designs from concept, through CFD and wind tunnel testing, to implementation and verification on the actual vehicle. In his role as technical director, he offers TotalSim’s clients a rare combination of advanced modeling skills and racecar development.

Naethan ensures that all TotalSim projects are conducted with the latest and most appropriate methods. He also oversees the technical development direction for the company, while also remaining actively involved in day-to-day operations for clients in all industries.

Prior to joining TotalSim, Naethan launched the CFD Department for the BMW-Williams F1 Team. During his time there, he grew the size and scope of the department, placing CFD at the heart of all aero development. Naethan has also served in aerodynamics R&D roles at Advantage-CFD, Rolls-Royce, among others.

Naethan serves as a National Science Foundation panel reviewer and peer reviewer for SAE. Additionally, he sits as a member on several committees and task forces for SAE including the Automated Commercial Vehicle Systems Committee, Truck and Bus Aerodynamics and Fuel Economy Committee, and Road Vehicle Aerodynamics Forum Committee.

Naethan graduated in 1993 from City University London with an honors degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

Scott is a metrologist at Diverse Dimensions specializing in high volume scanning. Before joining Diverse Dimensions, Scott attended Ferris State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering with specialties in high-speed machining and quality engineering.

Clay Ratcliffe is a 45+ year veteran of high-performance industry technical design and marketing. He converted his experience in the auto racing world to offshore boat racing and has been working in the manufacturing sector for the last 20 years. Integrating automotive and airplane technologies in hydrodynamics and aerodynamics are paramount in his current marine endeavors. His passion is new designs that improve speed, efficiency, and handling.

Jon has a degree in physics, but his love of water led him to boat design and engineering. Jon has worked on various projects and sectors including: Coast Guard inspected passenger vessels, sail boats, fabric covered kayaks, slow speed powerboats, fast power boats with up to quad Seven Marine outboards, and now classic down east outboard express style boats.

Scott Porta, making boats go faster since 1973, graduated from Mercury Outboard School at 16 as a Certified Mercury Mechanic, with a 100 on the final exam. Scott’s love for fast boats has taken him on an adventure that includes building a business manufacturing boats under contract up to 50’, along with redesigning running surfaces for several manufacturers to enhance efficiency, ride quality, acceleration, top speed, and handling. Scott is well known in the marine industry largely for the Porta Hydraulic Transom Bracket, manufactured in New Smyrna Beach, FL, since 1991. The brackets range from 8” to 26” of setback with over 40 models that travel from 2 ½” to 26” vertically, and power limits currently at 1000HP and growing. The brackets are sold worldwide and enjoy a range of applications from commercial and recreational fishing to performance boats, offshore racing, and military use.

Scott’s talents have comfortably merged in the sport of offshore racing. Using the Porta Hydraulic Transom Brackets along with extensive hydrodynamic innovations and aerodynamic upgrades served him well as he established himself over the last 5 years in the stock outboard 32’ Catamaran class with 11 World and National Championship Offshore Points Championship titles. A triple crown win, and induction into the APBA Hall of Champions