University projects
The breadth of projects I undertook at university built the technical foundation that underpins my work as an engineer today.
Catattack sailing catamaran
My university dissertation examined the practicality, performance benefits, and safety implications of asymmetric foils for cruising catamarans. The research quantified the performance gains of an asymmetric, swivelling daggerboard deployed on the leeward hull, benchmarked against conventional twin symmetric foils used upwind. The general arrangement was developed to ensure the swivelling daggerboard could be practically installed within skegs at the bottom of the hull. Heeling moments and structural failures were assessed to ensure safety for the crew at all times.
Azzurra model yacht
A model yacht race between the Solent University Yacht and Powercraft Desgin students happens yearly. My model yacht which was designed to the rule set by the lecturers was optimised for top speed by maximising the wateline length when heeled. Extra marks were scored by integrating an innovative gyroscope within the hull to dampen the twitchy motions that would occur from wind gusts. The yacht was built in balsa on a 2D laser printed wooden jib. In this model full marks were awarded to me, and the yacht finished in the top 5 out of 40 competitiors.
