Rowing Shell Drag Comparisons

Leo Lazauskas
University of Adelaide
AUSTRALIA 5005
llazausk@maths.adelaide.edu.au

Technical Report: L9701
Commenced: 25 November 1997
This version: 17 January 1998

Summary

We compare the steady, calm-water, total (viscous plus wave) resistance of a variety of popular rowing shells. To estimate the total resistance we use Michell's integral for the wave resistance, the 1957 ITTC line for the skin friction, and a simple empirical formula for the form drag.

The hulls examined in the present study are summarised in the following table. In this table, D is the displacement volume, L is the length on the waterline, B is the beam on the waterline, and T is the maximum draft. More hulls will be added when time permits.

Singles D (m3) L (m) B (m) T (m) Comments
Empacher 0.104 7.925 0.274 0.101 Popular racing single
King 1X 0.104 8.077 0.273 0.114 Graeme King's No 6 1X
Van Dusen 0.103 7.986 0.257 0.114 Small transom stern
PE 0.45 0.104 7.996 0.268 0.109 Mathematical hull
GODZILLA 1 0.100 8.489 0.227 0.124 Optimum PEP hull
Doubles D (m3) L (m) B (m) T (m) Comments
King 2X/2- 0.211 10.250 0.351 0.132 Graeme King's 2X/2-
PE 0.70 0.211 10.250 0.351 0.132 Mathematical hull
GODZILLA 2 0.200 10.817 0.285 0.155 Optimum PEP hull
Fours D (m3) L (m) B (m) T (m) Comments
Nothing yet 0.??? 0.??? 0.??? 0.??? Awaiting time and lines...
Eights D (m3) L (m) B (m) T (m) Comments
Donoratico 0.866 17.118 0.550 0.210 Comparison with Wellicome's experiments
Vespoli D 0.862 17.221 0.554 0.193 Popular racing eight
PE 0.72 0.862 17.221 0.554 0.193 Mathematical hull
EOT/LL 0.871 16.900 0.570 0.216 PEP hull with B=0.57m
LLB550 0.862 17.055 0.550 0.225 Mathematical hull with B=0.55m
GODZILLA 8 0.866 18.500 0.450 0.247 Optimum PEP hull


Introduction
Methods
Results
References

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the following for helpful discussions, lines drawings, advice etc:


Rowing