VR simulation for the propulsive performance analysis of high-speed yachts

The paper describes the main features of a marine propulsion simulator for high-speed yachts, developed using Real-Time (RT) simulation and Virtual Reality (VR) techniques. In the last years, several studies about the dynamic behaviour of marine propulsion systems have been carried out at Genoa University but in the present study the interaction among planing boat motions in six degrees of freedom, waterjet propulsion dynamics and control system are integrated in one complete mathematical model. The time domain simulator is developed by Matlab-Simulink® software and a 3-D graphics model has been created by using a Virtual Reality Editor, in order to represent the three dimensions viewing of the simulated boat in a marine virtual scenario. Finally, a comparison between numerical simulation results and full scale trials data is shown in order to analyze the propulsion system influence on the manoeuvrability characteristics of a waterjet propelled yacht.