Experimental validation of a FEM-aided structural design of an eco-sustainable high performance made skiff

In the racing boat design world, the most important aim is researching the best compromise between performances and safety. Nowadays, countless structural design tools exist, such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), however every numerical model needs a controllable, repeatable, reliable experimental validation. The present work focuses on the structural design cycle adopted by Polito Sailing Team during the design and building of their own new skiff, a high-performance sailing dinghy, built mainly with natural composite material like balsa wood and flax fiber. The whole boat was completely designed by students, according to eco-sustainable principles, in order to participate in a university competition called 1001VelaCup.