HydroComp Inc., of Durham (NH, USA) announced the release of NavCad v3.8. NavCad is a software tool for the prediction and analysis of vessel speed and power performance. It also provides for the selection of suitable propulsion system components - engines, gears and propellers. Built from a very comprehensive library of algorithms, NavCad can be used for the design and analysis of virtually any type of displacement, semi-displacement and planing craft, river barge, sailboat and catamaran.

The focus of this effort has been to improve user effectiveness-promoting accuracy and confidence in the results. The most significant new feature is for the prediction of Ct-based resistance. In previous versions, prediction methods were spread out over Displacement, Semi-displacement and Sailing yacht hull forms. Periodically, a hull will cross these definitions, requiring frequent back-and-forth types are now merged into a single Build process in v3.8.
Likewise, hull data entry has been merged into a single screen for all hulls. All hull data for Displacement, Semi-displacement, Planing, Sailing yacht and Catamaran hulls are now entered on the same page. Data entry can also now be made via non-dimensional parameters (e.g., L/B, B/T).