CFD Simulation of Sailing Boat Sails
A 3D CFD simulation of the flow around a sailing boat’s sails is significantly more complex than its 2D counterpart. The curvature of the 3D sail geometry must be fully parametrized so that every parameter defining the sail shape can be varied independently. This makes it possible to simulate a wide range of sail shapes and angles of attack, and to determine the optimal configuration for a specific boat’s performance — including visualisation of wind twist along the sail. Boat performance data is available on request.
Flow around the sails
Flow simulations around sails have been developed and validated by Physixfactor in both 2D and 3D. The jib and mainsail can be adjusted independently, allowing us to scan a range of settings to identify the configuration that delivers the best power performance for a given sail plan.
Pressure Distribution and Sail Optimisation
CFD flow simulations reveal the optimal angle of attack for maximum sail performance, with sail curvature and wind speed as the two key driving factors. Physixfactor has carried out a dedicated project to optimise sail trim using this approach. The accompanying image shows the pressure distribution along the chord of both the jib and mainsail — data that is directly linked to the power output of the sail system. Detailed performance plots are available on request.