Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Hull Vane Configuration on the Resistance of a Catamaran

The maritime industry continues to evolve through innovations that enhance safety and energy efficiency. One such development is the Hull Vane (HV), a submerged transom-mounted hydrofoil designed to reduce total resistance by generating lift and decreasing stern wave formation. The present study analyzes the hydrodynamic impact of the HV on a catamaran using towing tank experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in OpenFOAM. The numerical model was validated against experimental results. Multiple HV configurations were examined, and a surrogate model based on an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was constructed to represent the CFD solver and optimize HV position and angle to minimize total resistance. The CFD–ANN framework accurately replicated experimental resistance data. Compared with the optimal initial HV configuration, the optimized design resulted in an overall resistance decrease of approximately 2%, while delivering a 10.5% reduction relative to the bare hull. The results demonstrate the HV’s effectiveness in improving hydrodynamic efficiency in catamaran hulls. The ANN-assisted optimization provides a rapid, data-driven approach for enhancing the performance of energy-saving appendages. The results also provide insights into the hydrodynamic performance of different HV positions and angles of attack, advancing the understanding of energy-saving devices in multi-hull vessels.