Dataset: Bilge Keels for Course Stability and Sailing Efficiency of Wind-Assisted Ships

Experimental results for the sailing performance of ships fitted with bilge keel appendages are presented. Sailing performance is synonymous with manoeuvring forces for the steady drift condition, i.e. increase in resistance, lateral force production, and yaw moment for leeway (drift) angle. Systematic variations in appendage height, length, and position are tested, including several special cases. The appendage typology is shown to mitigate the strong ‘destabilizing’ yaw moment that is characteristic for wind assisted commercial vessels and to promote the non-linear sideforce component. The entire data set, including all derived quantities and details for the uncertainty assessment, is made available to support ongoing research and eventual commercial uptake for wind-assist ship propulsion.