Hydrodynamic Simulation in Racing Yachts Course
Online 300 h course in hydrodynamic simulation for racing yachts. 6 modules covering World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing, ORC International Rule (Offshore Racing Congress) and Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Hydrodynamic Simulation in Racing Yachts Course — studying from New Zealand
Maritime engineering is significant for New Zealand, given its extensive coastline, large exclusive economic zone and a strong sailing and boatbuilding tradition. Auckland, often called the City of Sails, hosts boatbuilders, marine service providers and offshore engineering firms, while Maritime New Zealand regulates safety at sea. Opportunities include naval architecture, offshore energy and aquaculture, and the New Zealand Defence Force's naval fleet supports further demand.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,470 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies regulate marine and offshore engineering?
Maritime New Zealand regulates maritime safety and the operation of vessels, and Engineering New Zealand is the professional body for engineers. Marine surveying and certain roles require recognised certificates issued by official bodies. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not replace these requirements.
Do marine and offshore employers in New Zealand value private qualifications?
New Zealand has active marine, boatbuilding, port and offshore sectors, particularly in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. Employers usually prioritise recognised certificates, licences and practical experience. A SEIUM qualification may support an application, but whether it is valued is for each employer to decide.
Can I study this part-time from New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from New Zealand. You are assigned a technical tutor and must complete a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Programme lengths range from 300 to 1,900 hours.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the hydrodynamics and aerodynamics of racing yachts.
Build speed predictions using VPP.
Simulate heeled hulls and appendages using CFD.
Analyse the aerodynamic behaviour of sails and rigs.
Evaluate the dynamics of foiling yachts.
Interpret telemetry data to improve performance.
Develop a hydrodynamic study of a racing yacht.
Who it's for
- Racing yacht designer wishing to specialise in hydrodynamic simulation in racing yachts.
- Sailing hydrodynamics engineer wishing to specialise in hydrodynamic simulation in racing yachts.
- CFD engineer wishing to specialise in hydrodynamic simulation in racing yachts.
- Performance analyst for racing teams wishing to specialise in hydrodynamic simulation in racing yachts.
- Rating measurer wishing to specialise in hydrodynamic simulation in racing yachts.
- Appendage and foil engineer wishing to specialise in hydrodynamic simulation in racing yachts.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join racing teams.
What you'll work with
- World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing
- ORC International Rule (Offshore Racing Congress)
- ISO 12217-2 Stability and buoyancy of sailing boats
- ISO 12215-9 Appendages of sailing boats
- World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations
- Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft
- ITTC 7.5-03-02-03 Practical Guidelines for Ship CFD Applications
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Balance of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces1.2Hull resistance when heeled and leeway1.3Keel and rudder lift1.4Induced resistance and aspect ratio1.5Keel bulbs and winglets1.6Racing classes: IMCA, TP52, IMOCA and AC1.7Canting keels and asymmetric daggerboards1.8Effect of trim and crew1.9Wetted surface and roughness1.10Practical case: forces on an IMOCA close-hauled
2.1Structure of a speed prediction programme2.2Delft series resistance models (DSYHS)2.3Rig aerodynamic models2.4Balance of forces and moments2.5Speed polars and optimal angles2.6Rating systems: ORC and IRC2.7Sensitivity to design parameters2.8Dynamic VPPs and manoeuvres2.9Validation with sailing data2.10Practice: speed polar of a racing cruiser
3.1Heeled hull with free surface3.2Simulation of keel and rudder in leeway3.3Interaction between appendages3.4Optimisation of keel bulbs3.5Resistance calculation in waves3.6Wake analysis and rudder ventilation3.7Overset meshes for drift angle3.8Validation with sailing yacht tank tests3.9Computational cost in design campaigns3.10Laboratory: resistance of a heeled hull
4.1Aerofoil theory applied to sails4.2Genoa–mainsail interaction and slot effect4.3Rigid sails and wings on catamarans4.4Fluid–structure interaction in sails4.5CFD modelling of sails in apparent wind4.6Wind gradient and twist4.7Sail wind tunnel tests4.8Spinnaker forces on downwind legs4.9Sail trim optimisation4.10Practical case: rig coefficients close-hauled
5.1Foiling yachts: AC75 and IMOCA5.2Stability in flight and height control5.3Cavitation and foil ventilation5.4Sailing simulators with crew5.5Tacking and gybing dynamics5.6Yacht behaviour in waves5.7Telemetry and racing data analysis5.8Course optimisation with weather forecasting5.9Class rules and design constraints5.10Workshop: telemetry analysis of a race
6.1Class selection and design rules6.2Definition of shapes and appendages6.3CFD simulation of hull and appendages6.4Rig aerodynamic model6.5Building the VPP and polars6.6Design sensitivity analysis6.7Comparison with a reference design6.8Recommendations for the racing campaign6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter STAR-CCM+, WinDesign VPP, Rhinoceros 3D, OpenFOAM, Expedition, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for CFD simulation of heeled hulls with appendages, calculation of speed polars with VPP, and racing telemetry analysis. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the hydrodynamics and aerodynamics of racing yachts.
Build speed predictions using VPP.
Simulate heeled hulls and appendages using CFD.
Analyse the aerodynamic behaviour of sails and rigs.
Evaluate the dynamics of foiling yachts.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.
You work with Simcenter STAR-CCM+, WinDesign VPP, Rhinoceros 3D, OpenFOAM, Expedition. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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