Intrepid is always working to produce custom boats with the latest innovations. The Intrepid 409 Valor is a popular boat model among consumers. Intrepid wants to further improve this boat by lessening the weight and increasing the aerodynamic abilities of the 409 Valor hardtop. The hardtop weight and shape lower fuel efficiency and vessel range. The weight and shape also negatively affect the stability, top speed, and acceleration of the boat. We are discovering how much we can improve performance through weight and aerodynamic changes to the hardtop.
Our goal is to improve boat performance by making the hardtop lighter and more aerodynamic. We are comparing the current hardtop to airfoils to understand the effects of improved aerodynamic properties on the 409 Valor. Changing the shape of the hardtop to model an airfoil improves lift and decreases drag. Increased lift allows the boat to sit higher in the water when traveling at speed which lessens the wetted surface of the hull. Less hull surface area in the water lowers friction and resistance from water while improving fuel efficiency. The lower friction may also improve acceleration and top speed while adding stability from the air under the hull sides. However, total hardtop shape changes provide no meaningful improvements to vessel performance because a total change adds weight.
Intrepid does not use exotic materials like carbon fiber. Using lower density fiberglass and core foam in the new design will lessen the hardtop weight and lower the center of gravity of the boat. The lower center of gravity lessens the thrust needed during use of the boat, saving fuel. We discovered that switching the fiberglass and core materials used can lessen the hardtop weight by 60%. Combining lightweight materials with a leading and trailing edge shape changes, the boat performance improves.
Future Work
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Cory Stanley Mechanical Engineer cps18u@my.fsu.edu Cory Stanley is a mechanical engineering student on the aeronautics track. His interest in engineering first began through trips to air shows with his dad. Following graduation from Florida State, he is starting as an associate manufacturing engineer with Lockheed Martin. He would like to receive his Master's in Aerospace Engineering within the first 5 years following graduation. Outside of school his interests include learning, spending time with family and cooking delicious meals. |
John Karamitsanis Lead Engineer jhk16c@my.fsu.edu John Karamitsanis is a mechanical engineering student on the thermal fluids track. His interest with the marine industry spurs from growing up around boats and living on the water. Following graduation from Florida State, he will be pursuing his master's degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan in Fall 2021. John will continue his career in the marine industry using his talent for ship design. |
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Erika Craft Marine Engineer epc16@my.fsu.edu Erika was drawn to engineering because her grandfather was a mechanical engineer in the Air Force. Interested in the materials part of engineering, she is on the mechanics and materials track. This drew her to this senior design project because materials and light-weighting was involved. After graduation, she plans to join her family's general contracting company, Craft Construction, down in South Florida. |
Juan Tapia Broce Materials Engineer jdt16b@my.fsu.edu Juan, a mechanical engineering student from Panama, quickly gained an interest in material sciences and engineering through his studies as he finds it very practical to all areas of study. After graduation, he will begin an internship in Panama and direct his own study to improve a go-kart by lessening weight, material changes, and a geometrical study. |
| Fall 2020 | Spring 2021 | |
| Design Review 1 | Design Review 4 | |
| Design Review 2 | Design Review 5 | |
| Design Review 3 | Design Review 6 |
| PDF File |
| Reports | Data Collection | |
| Project Scope | Aerodynamics/COMSOL | |
| Customer Needs | Material Cost Analysis | |
| Functional Decomposition | ||
| Targets and Metrics | ||
| Concept Generation | ||
| Concept Selection | ||
| Spring Project Plan |
