News

How do you design an 11-meter RHIB capable of operating in Sea State 5, surviving Sea State 6, and self-righting after a capsize?

In this Orca3D Customer Spotlight, Zodiac Hurricane Technologies shares how they used Advanced Stability and integrated CAD workflows in Orca3D to engineer the H1100 Border Guard — a high-performance patrol and search-and-rescue vessel built for mission-critical operations. From digital righting simulations to real-world capsize testing, this project demonstrates how data-driven naval architecture reduces risk and builds confidence before launch.

In this Orca3D Customer Spotlight, we’re highlighting Simonis Voogd Design and their award-winning Leopard 40PC and 46PC Powercats. Designed for Robertson & Caine, these production catamarans achieved improved performance and fuel efficiency using Orca3D Marine CFD. Learn how the team optimized running trim, reduced resistance, and won two major industry awards—all while working within strict production constraints. 

Meet Orca3D’s European reseller, NDAR, at EuroMaritime 2026 in Marseille. Visit Booth H61 from February 3–5 to connect with the NDAR team, learn more about Orca3D for Rhino, and discuss your naval architecture and marine design workflows.

Naval architect Darren Monzingo of FARO Industrial led the repower of the EDITH FOSS, a 1980s Super D class tug, using Orca3D to reassess stability and streamline the redesign process. The project brought the vessel into Tier 4 compliance while honoring its original Glosten design heritage. 

Facheris Design partnered with Fibrafort to develop the 355 Explorer, a sleek 34-foot day boat combining modern styling with engineering precision. Using Orca3D’s hydrostatics, weight studies, and marine CFD tools, the team validated performance and stability early in the design process—streamlining production and ensuring the vessel met both domestic and international expectations.

When Majestic Cruise Lines set out to update the Trim and Stability Booklet for a 134-meter vessel, naval architect Kam Mitchell turned to Orca3D. Starting with only scanned 2D drawings, Kam rebuilt the ship in Rhino, modeled every tank and compartment, and used Orca3D’s hydrostatics and stability tools to produce class-approved documentation. The result, a fully compliant Trim and Stability Booklet approved by Lloyd’s Register shows how Orca3D bridges the gap between legacy ship data and today’s design and analysis standards.

Discover how Bayliss Boatworks uses Orca3D’s weight tracking, hydrostatics, and marine CFD tools to fine-tune running trim and stagnation line shape on their custom sportfishing yachts. Learn how Orca3D supports high-performance hull design from the inside out. 

Discover how Petestep AB used Orca3D’s Marine CFD, stability analysis, and hull design tools to develop a cutting-edge law enforcement boat for the New Mexico State Parks Rangers. Designed in partnership with Silverback Marine, the vessel features patented hull technology, advanced operator comfort, and optimized performance.

Discover how combining HydroComp’s NavCad® with Orca3D Marine CFD enhances the accuracy of vessel simulations. A real-world case study reveals how this hybrid approach delivers deeper insights into resistance, trim, and propeller forces—leading to smarter, more efficient designs.

How can a small tweak at the stern save millions in fuel costs for naval ships? That’s the question a team of researchers set out to answer—and the results, presented at the prestigious RINA Warship 2025 Conference, are turning heads in the marine engineering world. Using Orca3D Marine CFD, engineers from Virginia Tech and Fincantieri Marinette Marine explored how adjustable energy-saving devices can dramatically improve performance and efficiency for fast warships. Their findings highlight not just the power of smart design—but the power of simulation to transform how we build the ships of tomorrow.

Orca3D is excited to present research at the XI International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering. Co-authored by Orca3D’s Larry Leibman, this paper explores high-fidelity CFD simulations used to optimize the design and maneuvering of high-speed vessels, specifically the U.S. Coast Guard’s 47FT Motor Lifeboat. By leveraging advanced simulation techniques, including a new propeller force model, this research provides key insights into improving vessel performance and maneuverability. Join us at MARINE 2025 to learn more about the future of marine design.

Join Orca3D at the upcoming SNAME Canadian Atlantic Section virtual event on May 30th! Discover the full capabilities of the Orca3D Naval Architecture plug-in for Rhino—including our latest Advanced Stability tools and Marine CFD module—in a one-hour live presentation led by Orca3D co-founders Bruce Hays and Larry Leibman. Free registration is open to all marine design professionals and enthusiasts.