Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 April 2006
In this paper the authors present a numerical and experimental analysis of the winged keel originally developed for the International twelve-metre class yacht Australia II that won the America's Cup in 1983. After briefly explaining why this keel was evolved in 1981, some basic considerations are presented relating keel performance to various design parameters. The results of numerical flow analyses and wind-tunnel measurements on a model of a winged keel are then presented and compared. The differences between the performance with and without winglets fitted to the keel are discussed. The fitting of winglets appreciably enhances the performance of a low-aspect-ratio lifting surface such as the keel of a twelve-metre yacht.