Analysis of flow around an RS : X Racing 66 windsurfing fin

The behaviour of fluid flowing past a RS:X Racing 66 windsurfing fin at different angles of attack was studied both computationally and experimentally. This was achieved by creating a three dimensional computational model of the fin, which was both used to produce a physical model for experimental testing, and as the basis for analysis using the fluid analysis program, OpenFOAM. The experimental analysis of the flow was performed in the Curtin wind tunnel, and the results from these experiments were then compared against the results of the computational fluid analysis. The effects compared were flow separation, cross flow and tip vortices.