Incat Company Profile
KatExpress 2
77
KatExpress 2 (067)
An Incat Wave Piercing Catamaran is
easy to recognise thanks to its distinctive
centre bow.
The design of an Incat Wave Piercing Catamaran (WPC) is a
constant evolution. With each incremental increase in waterline
length comes a myriad of modifications to the design, however
the vessels within each generation are far from identical with a
range of configuration, fit-out, and performance variations evident.
The Centre Bow
The main role of the centre bow is to act as a shock absorber for
oncoming seas. Normally the centre bow is above the design
waterline. As the ship pitches into waves, the buoyancy force
provided by the immersion of the centre bow causes the vessel to
reduce its pitching motion by acting as a huge damping system.
Continual development over vessel generations has led Incat to
design the centre bow to provide even more lift in the initial stages
of wave encounter. The arch between the centre bow and the
wave piercer bows has been modified on later craft to obtain more
freeboard and to have less flat surface.
The centre bow is the first part of the ship that encounters waves,
passengers are therefore cushioned from damaging accelerations by
the action of the bow engaging large waves.
The result a smoother ride.
Outline of the corresponding bow section on
112m Wave Piercing Catamaran
Increasing the bow
clearance results in a
24% reduction in the
bow impact load
Improving the bow
flare angle results in a
further 21% reduction
in the fore body side
Impact loads
96m Wave Piercing Catamaran
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