Sunreef Yachts: Simulation-Driven Catamaran Design Optimization

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MES

Sunreef Yachts: Simulation-Driven Catamaran Design Optimization

Case study showing how Sunreef Yachts used SOLIDWORKS and SIMULIA XFlow to simulate hull designs, cut build time from 6-7 months to 3.5 months, and improve fuel efficiency and seaworthiness.

Published

June 4, 2026

Read time

3 min read

Source

Sunreef Yachts adopted Dassault Systemes design and CFD simulation tools to handle rising demand for highly customized luxury catamarans. Engineers replaced outsourced physical testing with in-house computational fluid dynamics in SIMULIA XFlow, enabling rapid iteration on hull shapes for drag reduction, stability, and propulsion matching. SOLIDWORKS provided a shared 3D model across design, electrical, hydraulic, and interior teams, eliminating clashes and revision cycles. Results included faster response to customer requests and the ability to explore unconventional hull forms without building prototypes.

Key takeaways

CFD simulation replaced physical tank testing, cutting design validation time and cost.

Hull resistance curves from XFlow directly informed engine, propeller, and sail selection.

Shared SOLIDWORKS models across disciplines eliminated downstream assembly clashes.

Build time for an 80-foot vessel dropped from 6-7 months to 3.5 months.

In-house simulation enabled testing of unconventional shapes and solar-integrated designs.

Market overview

SCR methodology note

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