ABSTRACT

High performance racing shells for international and Olympic rowing competitions over the years have varied slightly in length and breadth but have largely remained a very similar hull shape. Majority of studies have explored the biomechanics of rowing technique and the effectiveness of the oars through the water. There is still a lack of research into the optimal shell form and operation condition in terms of weight distribution. Given that many rowing races are won by less than a second. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to use experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods to investigate the optimal trim for an eights racing shell over a 2000m race. A computational model is produced and compared with model tests to assess its accuracy. Trim optimization of the model shell was performed at an average speed and the varying velocities of realistic rowing motion were excluded. Comparing the results with the reference result (zero trim condition) reveals the reduction in resistance obtained and hence demonstrate the difference in the effort the crew would have to make to maintain the same speed.