Cape Horn Engineering is an independent CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) consultancy company with clients all over the world. We are industry leaders in CFD and specialize in the design of racing yachts, commercial ships and renewables. We have been involved in several America’s Cup campaigns and have dominated for almost a decade the Volvo Ocean Race.
Our CFD Services
Cape Horn Engineering is a UK based company, best-in-class independent CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) consultancy with clients all over the world. Industry leaders in CFD and marine technology solutions, specialising in performance prediction of racing yachts, sailing yachts, superyachts, motor boats, commercial ships, renewable energy structures and more.
CFD technology is a crucial support for naval architects, yacht designers and design engineers to optimise designs for critical elements such as weight saving, performance predictions, reducing emissions and design optimisation.
Our CFD methods cover a large variety of flow behaviours and includes free-surface flow, viscous flow, full-scale performance prediction, fluid-structure-interaction and dynamic behaviour.
We can help you win yacht races, improve performance, safety or passenger comfort, reduce emissions and save on fuel. We excel in what we do, in our engineering expertise, our passion to succeed, our attention to detail and our exclusive use of the best tools available. Our powerful resources are a guarantee for outstanding results delivered to support your project.
SHIP DECARBONISATION & EEXI/EEDI
To help reduce emissions, we assist shipping companies with our specialist CFD technologies to investigate carbon-free energy alternatives and design solutions. We offer a holistic analysis of the benefits of Wind Propulsion Technology. We also specialise in EEXI/EEDI calculations based on high-fidelity RANS CFD in a very efficient and cost effective manner, having developed validated workflows and Best Practice Guidelines in conjunction with a leading classification society (Lloyds Register).
SHIP DESIGN OPTIMISATION
Cape Horn Engineering has pioneered RANSE based CFD since its very beginning and continues its research work on a daily basis. With our proven track record in yacht racing design over the last two decades, we apply our cutting edge technology to a variety of marine vessels including commercial ships, cargo ships, service operation vessels, crew transfer vessels and work boats, to enhance energy efficiency, improve performance, comfort and safety, reduce emissions and save on fuel.
RENEWABLE ENERGY STRUCTURES
With environmental concerns influencing the need for sustainable energy, specialist technologies are at the forefront of new designs and solutions. With our expertise in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, we can improve the performance of wind energy rotor blades, wave energy structures, floating platforms and other projects. We also apply our technology and expertise to Service Operation Vessels (SOV), Crew Transfer Vessels, (CTV) and other work boats operating offshore.
SUPERYACHT DESIGN OPTIMISATION
We have long-standing associations with many international designers and ship builders to provide an unparalleled synergy to the design process of each superyacht, collaborating on CFD investigations to ensure the highest degree of performance, comfort, stability and safety. A green approach to projects, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing fuel omissions is a key consideration, whilst advanced engineering solutions, ensure each yacht performs to its full potential.
YACHT DESIGN OPTIMISATION
Cape Horn Engineering has pioneered RANSE based CFD since its very beginning and continues its research work on a daily basis. With our proven track record in yacht racing design, we can apply this cutting edge technology to a wide variety of marine vessels including sailing yachts, power boats, fully foiling and foil assisted high speed vessels, advanced and unconventional vessels, to save fuel, reduce emissions, improve performance, comfort and safety.
YACHT RACING DESIGN
Cape Horn Engineering has been at the core of simulation based America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race design campaigns for over 15 years, always pushing the boundaries. Our designs and engineering solutions have helped three sailing teams win the famous ‘Around the World’ race. We were proudly commissioned again by Alex Thomson Racing to assist in the design of the new foil system for the IMOCA Open60 HUGO BOSS, built for the Vendee Globe 2020-2021. We can help you win races.
Our Sail Design Service
Our online CFD computations are for sail makers, naval architects and yacht designers.
State of the art aerodynamic technology and high fidelity simulations to optimise your sail design and increase sailing performance.
We will analyse and evaluate the performance of your sails (and the boat), from a single sail design to multiple geometries, weather conditions and racecourse conditions. Accurate results of the best possible sail geometry plus an efficient visualisation of the sail loads will be available in just a matter of hours.
Supporting clients around the world
“We are an Australian based boat designer and builder. We have been building boats for well over 100 years. Tank testing is part of almost every new design of ours. A client requested if we can investigate CFD for a new design which we were planning on tank testing. We had our reservations using CFD, however after having dealt with Dr.-Ing. Rodrigo Azcueta of Cape Horn, we would not hesitate to use CFD for all future projects. Possibly replacing the need to tank test.
From first contact, Cape Horn have been extremely professional and proficient. The manor in which they have interpreted our requests and goals has been exemplary. The whole process was seamless and the turn around time was beyond expectation. The quality and reporting of the results was very impressive with the graphical nature also providing excellent marketing benefits.
I would not hesitate to recommend Cape Horn for marine CFD analysis and we are excited to extend our relationship with them and the technology.”
Norman R. Wright & Sons Pty Ltd
“From the very start of the design process for the new Beneteau First 53 I was decided to involve Rodrigo Azcueta and his company, I’ve known Rodrigo for many years and consider him a true expert in the field of CFD and hydrodynamics”
Biscontini Yacht Design
“We have been impressed by the quality and accuracy of the information supplied by Cape Horn Engineering, the whole process has been quick and efficient”
Dixon Yacht Design
“We engaged Cape Horn Engineering to improve the keel of our yacht through the use of CFD simulations for different configurations, and a wide range of race conditions. Their state-of-the-art flow analysis gave us the answers we needed to develop the design in a direction we are very pleased with, now our keel is well optimised for best performance and the rating system.”
Cossutti Yacht Design
Latest News
Sarissa wins “Sailing Yacht of the Year” at the prestigious World Superyacht Awards 2024 in Venice during last weekend’s ceremony. She also became the winner ofRead more >
At Cape Horn Engineering, we are passionate about everything we do. We have built a reputation upon our racing pedigree and winning formula over theRead more >
Congratulations to Hugh Ward, Senior CFD Consultant at Cape Horn Engineering, who crewed onboard 'Jubilee', winner of the 2023 Cape 31 National Championship. A keenRead more >
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