Hullspeed may read and measure a Maxsurf design file directly. Because Hullspeed uses the same method as Hydromax to determine the hydrostatic properties of the design, the same rules and limitations about closed sections apply. See the Hydromax manual for more information on how to prepare a Maxsurf model before loading it into other applications of the Maxsurf suite.

To load a design, select Open Design from the File menu. When the design is loaded in, Hullspeed will automatically calculate the hull’s hydrostatic characteristics using 200 sections.

At this point it is a good idea to check that the sections have been formed correctly. Do so by going to the perspective window and turning on the sections (in the Display | Contours dialog). The immersed sections are shown:

The hull is always measured at the DWL, so if you wish to measure the hull at a different draft, change the position of the DWL in the Frame of Reference dialog. (Data | Frame of Reference).

Once the measurements have been made, they can be edited if you so desire. Because of the difficulty of accurately determining some measurements from the surface model, it is important to verify the following measurements:

§   1/2 angle of entrance

§   Bulb transverse area

§   Bulb height from keel

§   Deadrise at 50% LWL

§   Chine type: hard chine or round bilge