The paper presents an overview of a joint project developed among Politecnico di Milano, CSEM and North Sails, aiming at developing a new sail pressure measurement system based on MEMS sensors (an excellent compromise between size, performance, costs and operational conditions) and pressure strips and pads technology. These devices were designed and produced to give differential measurement between the leeward and windward side of the sails. The project has been developed within the Lecco Innovation Hub Sailing Yacht Lab, a 10 m length sailing dynamometer which intend to be the reference contemporary full scale measurement device in the sailing yacht engineering research field, to enhance the insight of sail steady and unsteady aerodynamics [1]. The pressure system is described in details as well as the data acquisition process and system metrological validation is provided; furthermore, some results obtained during a wind tunnel campaign carried out at Politecnico di Milano Wind Tunnel, as a benchmark of the whole measuring system for future full scale application, are reported and discussed in details. Moreover, the system configuration for full scale testing, which is still under development, is also described.

The aerodynamics of a Sparkman & Stephens 24-foot sailing yacht was investigated. Full-scale pressure measurements were performed on the mainsail and the genoa in upwind sailing conditions...

Static pressure tests on sections of yacht hulls, manufactured to copy the structure of certain yachts which failed in service due to slamming loads, are reported. The materials of construction were aluminum, steel, plywood and fiberglass. The failure modes and pressures are discussed. In addition, some tests in which mild steel plates, corresponding in construction to the mild steel hull tested under static pressure, were loaded impulsively by the shock wave from an explosive charge detonated in air. The design of hull plating should take into account the impulsive nature of the loading, and the actual mode of failure. Neither the design impulse, however, nor the means for predicting the hull plating response to it are available from the current literature. If resort is to be made to the design of plating for simple static pressure, then a design pressure of at least 350 kPa (51 psi) is suggested for the bottom plating of yachts of about 13 m (43 ft) length overall. This is about five times the pressure required by the ABS Guide.