Tom Speer's proa foil sections: Any new data?

Discussion in 'Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics' started by Daniel Reilly, Mar 1, 2026.

  1. Daniel Reilly
    Joined: Jul 2018
    Posts: 10
    Likes: 1, Points: 3
    Location: USVI

    Daniel Reilly Junior Member

    It's been a few years- does anybody have anecdotes or data about the performance of the late Tom Speer's sections versus ogival foils?
     
  2. revintage
    Joined: Nov 2016
    Posts: 424
    Likes: 107, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Sweden

    revintage Senior Member

  3. Skip Johnson
    Joined: Feb 2021
    Posts: 263
    Likes: 154, Points: 43
    Location: Lake Tenkiller, Ok, usa

    Skip Johnson Senior Member

    17 years ago I modified P52's float changing from a symmetrical ogive to a close approximation of Speers P30012 section and the improvement was noticeable with less leeway and the ability to point ~ 5 degrees higher.
    Since then I've settled on Speers 30012 section for proa rudders on four different craft. The forward rudder isn't used much but does improve windward performance in light wind locked in place and partially deployed.
     
  4. Daniel Reilly
    Joined: Jul 2018
    Posts: 10
    Likes: 1, Points: 3
    Location: USVI

    Daniel Reilly Junior Member

    Yes, though apparently not thoroughly enough. The links within that thread are the most helpful part.

    Skip- Using the float for lateral resistance is an interesting solution. Though I'm hoping my float will be out of the water often enough that I still need a board. Good to know that the 30012 was such a big improvement!

    I'm just trying to find as much info as possible about real-world experiments with these sections, as clearly smarter people than me have doubts about XFoil's ability to analyse them realistically.
     
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