Identification of a Leisure Boat's Maneuvering Model at Medium-High Speed Using Open-Sea Trial Data

Abstract

This study employs system identification techniques to develop a maneuvering model for a leisure boat operating at medium-high speeds, using data from open-sea trials. Based on the Maneuvering Modeling Group (MMG) framework, the maneuvering model for the leisure boat is modularized into hull and propeller–rudder components and optimized to improve the accuracy of ship motion predictions. For the hull force model, various candidate terms, consisting of polynomial expressions of ship velocities, were grouped based on similar physical features and fully searched to identify the optimal hull force model with the highest prediction performance for ship motion. Similarly, for the propeller–rudder force model, various coupling terms accounting for interactions within the propulsion system were included as candidate terms and evaluated to determine the optimal propeller–rudder force model suitable for the leisure boat. This study compared the accuracy of predicted ship motions using the identified and conventional maneuvering models, confirming that the identified maneuvering model provides improved prediction performance. The limitations of the traditional maneuvering models, which are primarily designed for larger vessels, and the unique dynamic characteristics of leisure boats are also discussed.