Validating Performance Early: How Facheris Used Orca3D to Streamline the 355 Explorer

Overview 

In this Orca3D Customer Spotlight, we’re excited to feature Facheris Design’s innovative work on the 355 Explorer a sleek, high-performance 34-foot day boat designed and engineered for Fibrafort, one of Brazil’s leading boatbuilders. The project integrated contemporary styling, optimized comfort, and advanced engineering, crafted with both domestic and international markets in mind. 

Orca3D played a critical role throughout the design process, from developing the hull form shape that matched the desired proportions and balance to supporting performance predictions and stability compliance. By leveraging Orca3D’s hydrostatics and resistance tools, Facheris Design was able to streamline development and deliver a fully engineered platform that could easily transition to production. 

Facheris 355 Explorer

Project Goals & Vision 

The mission of the 355 EXPLORER Project was clear: Deliver a modern 34-foot powerboat that balances innovation, performance, and usability while aligning with Fibrafort’s serial production workflows. 

The Facheris team set out to create a vessel that was visually striking, ergonomically efficient, and production-friendly. The resulting design, now known as the 355 Explorer, offers a spacious day-use layout, enhanced fuel efficiency, and styling that holds its own on any global showroom floor. 

Vessel Overview 

  • Type: Powerboat 
  • Length: 34 feet (approx.) 
  • Use Case: Day boating / leisure 
  • Market: Domestic and international 
  • Design Focus: Comfort, performance, production efficiency 

Design Challenges & Engineering Breakthroughs 

While designing the 355 Explorer, among the key challenges faced by the FD team were: 

  • Balancing interior volume with sleek proportions in a compact 34-foot package 
  • Maintaining performance, stability, and aesthetics without exceeding weight targets 
  • Ensuring the boat could be easily produced using Fibrafort’s existing tooling and methods 

CFD validation vs Savitsky 

The team overcame these challenges through: 

  • Integrated design-engineering workflows 
  • Iterative 3D modeling and proportion studies 
  • Early-stage weight and hydrostatics validation using Orca3D 

“We had to get the proportions and balance just right while keeping the structure optimized and easy to assemble. Orca3D helped us validate those elements early, which kept the whole process on track.”  — Pedro Gori, Facheris Design 

Using Orca3D: Streamlining Design Through Early Validation 

Facheris Design leaned heavily on Orca3D to bring confidence and clarity to key technical decisions. The following tools were especially impactful: 

Basic Hydrostatics 

Used to verify hull balance, considering both weight and center of gravity as estimated with Orca3D’s weight tracking tools, to determine the resulting equilibrium condition, thus helping ensure the vessel met design targets before prototype development. 

Weight Estimating & Stability Analysis 

Orca3D enabled the team to simulate loading conditions, track structural weights, and confirm compliance with USCG stability requirements, all within Rhino. 

Orca3D Marine CFD 

In later development stages, Facheris turned to Orca3D Marine CFD to further refine the performance envelope of the 355 Explorer. The CFD simulations allowed the team to visualize flow behavior around the hull, evaluate areas of turbulence, and fine-tune the running trim angle, all of which contributed to achieving smooth handling and optimal fuel consumption. 

Orca3D Marine CFD was particularly useful in validating that the hull shape performed as expected under real-world conditions. This helped reduce reliance on physical prototyping and minimized the risk of late-stage redesigns, streamlining the path to production and reinforcing the project’s commitment to both performance and production efficiency. 

Resistance Prediction 

The team used early-stage resistance analysis to optimize hull efficiency, reinforcing the boat’s marketability through improved performance and fuel economy. 

“Orca3D proved to be an essential tool in the 355 EXPLORER Project, giving us confidence in our weight and hydrostatics studies from the earliest stages.” 
— Pedro Gori, Facheris Facheris Naval Engineer and Project Coordinator

Collaboration with Orca3D 

Facheris also benefited from responsive support throughout the project. 

“The Orca3D Team, especially Bruce was always available to clarify questions about advanced features and best practices. His guidance helped us streamline our workflows and feel confident in the results.”  — Pedro Gori, Facheris Design Naval Engineer and Project Coordinator

Project Timeline & Team 

  • Design & Development: April 2024 – July 2025 
  • Design Studio: Facheris Design 
  • Client / Builder: Fibrafort 
  • Collaborators: Facheris Design Team and Fibrafort Production Engineers 
  • Regulatory Compliance: USCG 

Impact & Outcome 

For Fibrafort, the 355 Explorer adds a powerful, modern vessel to their global lineup, one that merges design innovation with practical engineering. For Facheris Design, it reinforced their ability to deliver full-service design and engineering solutions with high production efficiency. The project also strengthened collaboration between design and engineering teams, helping everyone move faster, smarter, and more confidently toward the finish line. 

Conclusion 

The 355 EXPLORER Project is a prime example of how modern design studios can harness powerful tools like Orca3D and Rhino to deliver production-ready innovation. By validating weight, balance, and stability from the earliest design stages, Facheris Design kept performance goals on target while simplifying downstream engineering. Whether you're designing a 34-footer or a 300-foot commercial vessel, Orca3D gives naval architects the tools they need to deliver precision, confidence, and real-world results. The experience also reinforced how integrated digital tools can empower design teams to make faster, more confident engineering decisions 

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