This research provides a detailed and systematic update of the traditional sailboat design process, with specific attention being paid to the tools used for evaluation purposes, and in doing so creates an improved and optimized design process for sailboats. More specifically, this report seeks to modify a systems-engineering approach to the ship design process, in order to properly incorporate modern sailboat evaluation techniques as well as elements of traditional sailboat design while providing analysis of a case study from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's ocean vehicle design class. In considering all intricacies of sailboat design and with applications and gradual improvement in quality of design through the use of multi-objective optimization methods, a new sailboat design process evolves, which initially considers a wide variety of design options and alternatives. Specific attention is paid in this process to the evolution of the ordering and analysis of each segment of the subprocesses, reducing design risk through the use of industry standard assessment procedures and ensuring consistent interaction with the customer. In doing so, an improved and effective design process is established, to be used by future sailboat design teams at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. / Master of Science / Boats and marine vehicles of different types have long been a mainstay in the growth and development of this country's military, economic and transportation infrastructure. Whether being used for fishing purposes in the Pacific Northwest or moving oil and gas to different cities along the eastern seaboard, marine transportation plays a critical role in day to day life. Long before the invention of gasoline powered engines, most boats were powered by wind which was harnessed by the use of sails. In the 1800's sailboats were used extensively for fishing, delivering mail and a number of other important activities. Nowadays, the use of sailboats is more geared towards recreational endeavors including racing or simply cruising local waterways. It is the responsibility of the sailboat designer to deliver options and products commensurate with the prospective owner's preferences. As such, it is important for the designer to develop a process or system which incorporates useful tools which can successfully evaluate design alternatives. In doing so, useful information will be produced by which the owner and designer can collaboratively make decisions. Unlike a military or commercial ship, the owner of a sailboat is most likely the main operator and shares a personal connection with the boat. This study modifies a systems-engineering approach to the ship design process, in order to properly incorporate modern sailboat evaluation techniques as well as elements of traditional sailboat design. In doing so, the operation provides a process and tool benchmark for future sailboat design teams at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

De maneira geral, o mercado náutico brasileiro ainda é muito restrito, principalmente o de pequenas embarcações. Nos últimos anos, porém, devido a uma maior exposição na mídia dos bons resultados internacionais de velejadores e exploradores brasileiros, a vela tem se popularizado. Esta dissertação descreve o projeto de um veleiro de pequeno porte para esporte/lazer fabricado em polietileno linear de média densidade (PEMD) pelo método da rotomoldagem. Este método tem se difundido rapidamente no exterior para a fabricação de equipamentos náuticos de pequeno porte, como veleiros e caiaques, proporcionando redução de custos e vantagens ambientais relacionadas ao processo de construção. A embarcação projetada é voltada para uma tripulação de duas pessoas adultas (ou um adulto e duas crianças) e foi dimensionada para um fácil transporte, possibilitando carregá-la sobre o bagageiro de um automóvel. O foco deste trabalho está no projeto naval. Desta forma, foram percorridas todas as etapas pertinentes de um projeto de veleiro, desde o projeto do casco, passando pelo projeto do plano vélico, projeto dos apêndices (bolina e leme), análise estrutural do casco em elementos finitos e verificação de desempenho comparativo com um veleiro bem conhecido no ramo da vela. Destaca-se o projeto do plano vélico, no qual, de forma otimizada, se obteve um conjunto de velas (mestra e buja) de bom desempenho, sem, contudo, comprometer a estabilidade do veleiro. Uma análise econômica preliminar indicou a possibilidade de se fabricar o veleiro rotomoldado com custo reduzido, abaixo do preço de mercado de veleiros do mesmo porte disponíveis no mercado nacional. Complementarmente, verificou-se também a possibilidade de se utilizar material reciclado na construção da embarcação, o que, além de ser uma alternativa para diminuir custos, proporciona benefícios ambientais ao minimizar sobras de produção. / In a general way, the Brazilian nautical market is still very restricted, specially the one of small dinghies. In the last years, however, mainly due to a greater exposure on the media based on good international results of Brazilian sailors and explorers, sailing has being popularized. This Msc. Thesis describes the design of a small sail dinghy, for sport or leisure use, made with medium density linear polyethylene using the method of rotomolding. This method has been spreading rapidly worldwide as a process of fabrication of small nautical crafts like sailboats and kayaks, since it results in cost reductions and environmental gains related to the construction process. The designed sailboat is directed for a crew of two adults (or an adult and two children), and was dimensioned for an easy transport, even on the top of a car. This work is focused on the development of the naval design. Therefore, it goes through all the design steps of a sailboat, starting with the design of the hull, and then going through the design of the sails, appendices (rudder and dagger board), hull structural analysis by Finite Elements Method (FEM) and verification of performance of the sailboat in comparison with a well known sailing dinghy. It should be highlighted, also, the sails designing process, which, in an optimized way, generated a set of sails (main and jib) of good performance, without, however, jeopardizing the stability of the sailboat. Through a preliminary economical analysis, it was verified that it is possible to produce a rotomolded sailboat with reduced cost, even below the market prices of national sailboats of this size. As a complement, the possibility of employing recycled material in the construction of the boat has been studied. Besides being an alternative to diminish costs, it can bring environmental benefits, as it minimizes production scraps.

De maneira geral, o mercado náutico brasileiro ainda é muito restrito, principalmente o de pequenas embarcações. Nos últimos anos, porém, devido a uma maior exposição na mídia dos bons resultados internacionais de velejadores e exploradores brasileiros, a vela tem se popularizado. Esta dissertação descreve o projeto de um veleiro de pequeno porte para esporte/lazer fabricado em polietileno linear de média densidade (PEMD) pelo método da rotomoldagem. Este método tem se difundido rapidamente no exterior para a fabricação de equipamentos náuticos de pequeno porte, como veleiros e caiaques, proporcionando redução de custos e vantagens ambientais relacionadas ao processo de construção. A embarcação projetada é voltada para uma tripulação de duas pessoas adultas (ou um adulto e duas crianças) e foi dimensionada para um fácil transporte, possibilitando carregá-la sobre o bagageiro de um automóvel. O foco deste trabalho está no projeto naval. Desta forma, foram percorridas todas as etapas pertinentes de um projeto de veleiro, desde o projeto do casco, passando pelo projeto do plano vélico, projeto dos apêndices (bolina e leme), análise estrutural do casco em elementos finitos e verificação de desempenho comparativo com um veleiro bem conhecido no ramo da vela. Destaca-se o projeto do plano vélico, no qual, de forma otimizada, se obteve um conjunto de velas (mestra e buja) de bom desempenho, sem, contudo, comprometer a estabilidade do veleiro. Uma análise econômica preliminar indicou a possibilidade de se fabricar o veleiro rotomoldado com custo reduzido, abaixo do preço de mercado de veleiros do mesmo porte disponíveis no mercado nacional. Complementarmente, verificou-se também a possibilidade de se utilizar material reciclado na construção da embarcação, o que, além de ser uma alternativa para diminuir custos, proporciona benefícios ambientais ao minimizar sobras de produção. / In a general way, the Brazilian nautical market is still very restricted, specially the one of small dinghies. In the last years, however, mainly due to a greater exposure on the media based on good international results of Brazilian sailors and explorers, sailing has being popularized. This Msc. Thesis describes the design of a small sail dinghy, for sport or leisure use, made with medium density linear polyethylene using the method of rotomolding. This method has been spreading rapidly worldwide as a process of fabrication of small nautical crafts like sailboats and kayaks, since it results in cost reductions and environmental gains related to the construction process. The designed sailboat is directed for a crew of two adults (or an adult and two children), and was dimensioned for an easy transport, even on the top of a car. This work is focused on the development of the naval design. Therefore, it goes through all the design steps of a sailboat, starting with the design of the hull, and then going through the design of the sails, appendices (rudder and dagger board), hull structural analysis by Finite Elements Method (FEM) and verification of performance of the sailboat in comparison with a well known sailing dinghy. It should be highlighted, also, the sails designing process, which, in an optimized way, generated a set of sails (main and jib) of good performance, without, however, jeopardizing the stability of the sailboat. Through a preliminary economical analysis, it was verified that it is possible to produce a rotomolded sailboat with reduced cost, even below the market prices of national sailboats of this size. As a complement, the possibility of employing recycled material in the construction of the boat has been studied. Besides being an alternative to diminish costs, it can bring environmental benefits, as it minimizes production scraps.