New website

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130727_hull_optimization

I'm doing some changes to the hull design, along with it I'm changing the way it's designed as well. In order to have better control and cleaner parametric design, I'm programming the whole hull, and possibly the whole platform, in Python, under Rhino. Generating the hull with Grasshopper components is pretty sketchy, useful, but there are better ways. Python programming is very handy and easy, furthermore, the whole program can reside in a Grasshopper component to get instant feedback and to have an easy interface for the input parameters. It is one level higher, computational design. Nerd talk aside, I decided to move the rigid deck between the mainbeam and rear stay beam, for better weight distribution, improved central dagger support, sheet routing and safety. Also, halfhearted, I decided to flare the hulls a bit to the inside, to get a decent almost double bunk in the rear berth (Skipper's berth). The implications of the latter are aesthetic mostly, so I'll try to hide the ugliness as best as possible. I will possible have this boat for 10-40 years, having a nice cuddly bunk there will be good, also chartering possibilities will be better. Aside from the flaring, the hulls will be further simplified, eliminating the lowered rear decks, less taping to do, less cutting etc, saving build time. Pics coming soon, once the new hulls are semi-finalized.

130616_Status

Adding more parametric detailing to the platform. Interior structure to follow. It is really nice to visualize the sails CoE in real time while trimming the sails. Helps understanding better where to place the Central dagger. Looks like it is going to be relatively far forwards.

ProjectStatus

Last weeks I've been working hard trying to develop a complete parametric model of the platform, well at least as complete as possible. This enables the exploration of minute changes of design in an instant, the entire model updates and there is no need to trim, loft, etc etc etc again and again.
Notable design changes - a solid rear deck. lightweight enough, but adding a lot more comfort to the platform, the entire rear deck can be enclosed by a convertible canopy. The rear deck adds a lot of functionality for little weight. More to come.

Tuning..tuning...tuning

Still tuning the hulls, the parametric model is such a nice thing to play with, instant feedback on the changes. It's amazing how much volume I was able to squeeze in the bows without having it look like a truck.

WIP on the new hulls

Added forward buoyancy, slightly less draft. New decks allow popping up a convertible accommodation as a double bed, this was missing from the design and I learned that having a double bed on a boat is really worth it. Decks even allow popping up a standard double tent.

Parametric modeling

I have developed a parametric model of the hull in Grasshopper, this allows me to do changes to the hull on the fly, saving significant modelling time. The hull will undergo some significant changes, but the basic concept remains. I decided the hull is just too fast, will add a bit of fat to it to lower the LWL/BWL ratio. Maybe a tiny bit of extra rocker just for some extra displacement, nice to be able to shove more stuff on the boat. Changes to the inside and partitioning - going even more spartan, aside from BH's, and bunk floor there will not be much inside, this reduces build time significantly. The deck layout will be revised to allow a double bunk to be used in each hull, in a smart fashion hopefully. Simplify , simplify, simplify...
Aside from the parametric model, I'm considering running some Michlet/Godzilla optimization, although i believe the hull lines are very fast still, nice thing about Michlet is that it can tell you the optimal hull separation for a given set of constraints.