Trimaran Center Hull Optimization for Minimum Wave Resistance under Fixed Outriggers

An improved linear wave resistance theory tent function method for trimarans is proposed. Given fixed hull form of outriggers, the linear wave resistance was deduced into a quadratic form expressed by the center hull offsets. Then the quadratic programming optimization method could be used to seek the optimal center hull form. The proposed method was used to calculate the wave resistance of a trimaran with mathematical piece hulls and a practical trimaran, and the results accord with those from the model tests. Finally, the method was used to seek the center hull form optimization solution based on the above mentioned practical trimaran. The obtained optimal hull form wave resistance is reduced by about 4%~18%.