Measuring Sailing Performance with VPPs & Bruce Numbers | Ep. 5 | Catamaran Conversations
Welcome back to Catamaran Conversations, where we explore the fascinating world of catamaran design with industry experts. Previous Episodes: Episode 1 https://youtu.be/ZlaIi04RUiU Episode 2 https://youtu.be/LK0O5NioyQw Episode 3 https://youtu.be/AmpqFFMTrq8 Episode 4 https://youtu.be/um8mNXnhfZA In this fifth episode of our eight-part series, join Phil Berman, founder of Balance Catamarans; Patrick Shaughnessy, president of Far Yacht Design; and sailing writer Herb McCormick as they delve into the technical side of performance metrics. This time, we're tackling VPPs (Velocity Prediction Programs) and Bruce Numbers-two key tools in yacht design. Discover how designers use these metrics to predict and optimize boat performance, and learn about their limitations when comparing boats or planning your next voyage. Missed the previous episodes? Start with Episode 1, Designing a Catamaran from the Inside Out, linked in the description and above. Stay tuned as we unravel more design secrets to help you better understand your catamaran. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below! #CatamaranDesign #BalanceCatamarans #YachtPerformance #sailinginthemed Chapters: 00:00 EP5 Introduction 00:48 What is a VPP? 02:01 What is a Bruce Number? 03:04 The Problem with Bruce Numbers 05:36 How do you compare boats? 08:27 Displacement: Launch Weight 11:45 Polars 15:16 Optimizing Performance 17:39 Comparison Conclusions 18:47 Accuracy of Polars (Sinkage)
