International recognition for Fast Displacement Hull Form

M/Y Galactica Star, the first vessel to feature the Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), has won the award for the best high-speed yacht over 45 meters in length at the World Super Yacht Awards, held on 3^rd May 2014.

The jury reported that the award was granted because of M/Y Galactica Star’s technically innovative FDHF (Fast Displacement Hull Form) design, developed by Van Oossanen Naval Architects.

Van Oossanen started the development of this new type of hull form in 2009. Driven by their passion to develop vessels that are highly efficient both at lower cruising speeds and at high speeds, this resulted in a hull form that, compared to a hard-chine hull form, is 30% more efficient at cruising speeds and 15% more efficient at high speeds. In comparison to traditional round-bilge hull forms, significant improvements were also obtained both at cruising speeds and at higher speeds. Model tests confirmed these results and, in addition, revealed that a hard-chine hull form is only more efficient than the FDHF counterpart at fully planing speeds. 

This hull form was called the ‘Fast Displacement Hull Form’ because the hull does not rely on the development of hydrodynamic lift for efficiency, but stays in displacement mode, also at high speeds. When the impact of these results became clear, Van Oossanen applied for, and obtained, a patent on the innovative elements of the design.

The development of the FDHF hull form was only just finalised when Heesen Yachts commissioned Van Oossanen to carry out the naval architecture design work for the Galactica Star project. After a first concept study the benefits of the FDHF for this project, for which a minimum speed of 27 knots was required, became apparent and the first application of the FDHF was a fact. At this moment in time there are 12 further yachts based on the FDHF under construction, at four different yards across Europe.

The World Super Yacht Awards Gala took place on Saturday 3^rd May, in Amsterdam. The exterior design of M/Y Galactica Star, by Omega Architects, and the interior design, by Bannenberg and Rowell, were also given special attention by the jury.

For more information please visit Van Oossanen Naval Architects.