News archive

  • Rotor mounted on simple ship form
    18 Oct 2019

    The Wolfson Unit delivered a paper on "Predicted fuel savings for a Flettner Rotor assisted tanker using computational fluid dynamics" at the RINA Wind Propulsion 2019 Conference.

  • Sailing Yacht PIV
    07 Oct 2019

    The Wolfson Unit MTIA, in collaboration with the Fluid Structure Interactions Research Group at the University of Southampton, have recently performed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) wind tunnel tests on a sailing yacht. This new perspective opens numerous possibilities for the investigation of sailing yachts aerodynamics.

  • Wolfson Unit at CSYS 23
    07 Mar 2019

    Etienne Gauvain will attend the 23rd Chesapeake Sailing Yacht Symposium in Annapolis (15-16 March 2019). He will be presenting a paper on the Wolfson Unit’s un-restrained sailing yacht model tests technique.

  • Model basin towing tank testing
    18 Oct 2018

    The Wolfson Unit have recently conducted un-restrained manoeuvring and seakeeping trials on a 24m, 60 knot fast patrol boat for Woori Oceantech. The aim of the tests was to establish the directional stability and motions of the vessel. Twin Arenson surface drives were modelled as part of the testing. 

  • 18 Oct 2018

    Van Oossanen Naval Architets have recently completed the design of an 80m aluminium construction semi-displacement motor yacht. In order determine the longitudinal bending moments and torsional loads in calm water and waves the Unit conducted towing tank and free running tests on a segmented model. The results have been used to aid the classification society's approval of the structure.

  • Stepped hull power vessel
    10 Apr 2018

    The Wolfson Unit has been conducting towing tank tests on high performance vessels for over 40 years. For a given towing tank test programme, a suitable test facility is chosen from those available within Europe. The final choice depends upon the tank size, carriage speed, wave making facilities and availability. Facilities are hired to the Wolfson Unit with only a carriage driver.

  • Wolfson Unit SYRF North Sails
    23 Jun 2017

    The Wolfson Unit recently helped North Sails Design Services complete a project for the Sailing Yacht Research Foundation, modelling downwind sails.

  • J-Class at the StBarths Bucket 17
    06 Jun 2017

    The Wolfson Unit has supported the J-Class Association in the development, implementation and refinement of a J-Class specific rating rule which has been used at J-Class regattas since 2011, culminating at this year’s America’s Cup J-Class Regatta in Bermuda.

  • Power Prediction Release 3
    14 Sep 2016

    The Wolfson Unit is pleased to announce the launch of Release 3 of its Power Prediction program.

  • Tank testing of a yacht with DSS designed by Hugh Welbourn
    14 Sep 2016

    The Wolfson Unit has developed testing and analysis techniques appropriate for yachts fitted with vertical lifting boards and dynamic righting moment devices. These have been employed on various projects including yachts with DSS, OPEN60s, Line honours vessels such as “Comanche” and foil borne/assisted multihulls.