Abstract
Achievement of laminar boundary-layer flow over the keel of sailing yachts offers great potential for increased boat speed resulting from the reduction in viscous drag. The intensity and the spectral energy distribution of small-scale turbulence in the upper layer of the ocean can have a large effect on the extent of laminar flow and, hence, the drag reduction. A detailed summary and interpretation is provided of measured turbulent intensities and length scales in the upper ocean. An analysis is given of the effect of small-scale turbulence on boundary-layer transition and profile drag for two laminar-flow foils at zero and moderate leeway angles. Using the modified en-transition criterion it is shown that the level of small-scale oceanic turbulence is an important parameter in the design of a laminar-flow foil. At high turbulence levels, the foil with a more forward location of the minimum-pressure point generates less drag than the foil with a more aft location of the minimum-pressure point at the same flow conditions.
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