We have arrived at the end of this Maxsurf 2 course.
We have dived deeper into naval architecture concepts. We have explained how to design a vessel from scratch using Maxsurf Modeler without requiring a lines plan, applying advanced modeling techniques and engineering concepts.
We also worked in Maxsurf Stability during hydrostatic analysis, learning how to configure the input data, assess damage scenarios, and interpret key stability results.
Finally, in Maxsurf VPP, we evaluated the performance of a sailing yacht under various conditions.
In Maxsurf Modeler, we drew a passenger catamaran for inland water use. We applied engineering and naval architecture principles to define the characteristic lines of this type of ship, ensuring proper stability, appropriate volumes, and capacities to accommodate key areas, including the engine room, rudder rooms, fuel oil and freshwater tanks, and passenger spaces.
We also ensured compliance with typical values of freeboard and minimum bow height to avoid water ingress on deck and provide good seakeeping. We employed both basic and advanced modeling techniques—some introduced in the first course, and others more modern—including size and flip surfaces, rotate surfaces, skin curves, sweep and extrude surfaces, and more.
Maxsurf Stability is a powerful module of Maxsurf. Here, we learned how to generate inputs, define loading conditions starting from the lightship weight group, and model damage cases. We configured compartments and tanks, including linked tanks, linked compartments, and non-buoyant volumes. Additional critical inputs for stability analysis included sounding pipes, the key points table, and the margin line—particularly important for assessing compliance with stability criteria.
We created transverse bulkheads for floodable length calculations and configured other key parameters such as windage surfaces and draft marks for hydrostatic evaluations. Once the inputs were in place, we explored various Maxsurf Stability calculations, including hydrostatics, large-angle stability, equilibrium, specified conditions, KN values (cross-curves), limiting KG, and floodable length.
Before these, we learned to configure each analysis scenario through the analysis view—modifying heel angles, trim ranges, water densities, and applying the appropriate stability criteria. We also studied the different types of stability criteria available: parent criteria, standard criteria from Administrations and Classification Societies, and how to create custom criteria tailored to our ship.
After running the calculations, we interpreted the results—both graphically and in tabular format—to verify their coherence with the design of our passenger catamaran. We evaluated results in the stability criteria table to ensure all parameters were properly defined and calculated. We confirmed which criteria were passed and which were not.
In the final unit, we revisited the sailing yacht from the first unit to evaluate its performance under various sailing conditions, including wind direction and spinnaker usage. We applied the same general workflow as in Maxsurf Stability: defining the hull, rig, mizzen, and wind data for analysis.
We performed calculations and interpreted parameters such as velocity made good, the effect of spinnaker position, and wind direction. We spent time learning how to use various polar diagrams, such as the hull speed polar diagram, which help us determine the vessel’s forward speed in different wind conditions.
That concludes the Maxsurf 2 course.
Before finishing, I would like to thank all of you who have trusted me and participated. Without your involvement, this course would not have been possible. I hope to see you again in the upcoming Maxsurf 3 course, which we are already working on.