Naval architecture projects
35ft Sailing Yacht: KF 35
Client: Astilleros Feymar
Disciplines: Design, CFD, Structure, Sail
A 35-foot cruiser-racer built on an in-depth study of the ORC rule, with the feel, comfort and finish of a longer yacht, built in collaboration with LG and Feymar shipyards. Koru leads the design, naval architecture and engineering, with one clear goal: to outperform its size category, both when cruising and when racing under ORC. The first two units are currently under construction.
It is a boat where performance meets comfort. Inspired as much by offshore racing yachts as by coastal cruisers, it delivers a sailing experience that is comfortable, safe and agile, yet transmits the feel of a much larger boat. Particular emphasis went into the hull and sail plan, both developed with the knowledge and experience gained from real ORC-winning projects, so that gains on the water never cost corrected time on the results sheet.
The design is highly versatile, with a range of different configurations available, from a fully equipped cruising interior with twin rudders to a simpler, more functional interior with a single rudder for the racing/ORC version.
- Hull length: 10.5 m
- Beam: 3.8 m
- Draft: 1.8 / 2.1 m
- Displacement: 5,100 / 4,200 kg
- Sail area (up / down): 71 / 152 m²
30m Catamaran: X30 Villa
Client: Phathom Studio
Disciplines: Design, CFD, Motor
A 30m luxury catamaran designed by Phathom Studio and built by ISA Yachts, conceived as a floating villa with home-like livability on an efficient catamaran platform.
José Luis Ortín, founder of Koru Projects, developed the naval architecture and hull design of the initial technical platform, applying CFD methods honed on racing yachts to optimise hydrodynamics while ensuring the design complied with RINA rules. We worked alongside the talented designers at Phathom Studio so that engineering, naval architecture and design converged into excellence. The X30 Villa is now the flagship of the Extra Yachts catamaran range.
Find more info at phathomstudio.com and Extra Yachts.
CFD Hydrodynamic Optimization
Client: R&D Programme
Disciplines: CFD, Design
Hydrodynamic optimization using Computational Fluid Dynamics. We test different appendages, hulls and geometries to a very precise level of detail, either to increase the boatspeed of a racing yacht or to design the most efficient hull for any vessel. Our approach is grounded in real results: years of validating designs on the water through data analysis mean we rely on modeling techniques we know work, not guesswork. We draw on cutting-edge CFD software: Ansys CFX, Numeca Fine Marine, Siemens Star CCM+ and our own tools, choosing the best one for each specific case.
ORC Rating Optimization
Client: Multiple Clients
Disciplines: Design, Sail
In-depth study of the ORC rating rule applied to racing yachts, analysing how changes in displacement, sail plan, appendages and crew configuration propagate through corrected time across different conditions. Turns rating intuition into quantitative decisions, so performance gains translate into actual results on the water.
Custom Bowsprit for First 40.7
Client: Astilleros Feymar
Disciplines: Structure, Sail
A custom bowsprit designed for a local owner, in collaboration with Feymar Shipyard. The objective was to create an aesthetically appealing bowsprit while maintaining a favorable ORC rating.
FC8 Rudder Redesign
Client: First Class 8
Disciplines: Design, CFD, Sail
Rudder design for the First Class 8 fleet: profile and planform redesigned with CFD to recover steering bite at low speed and reduce drag across the range. We achieved a 4% increase in lift with around a 15% reduction in drag. The project involved hands-on design and engineering, hydrodynamic optimization, prototyping, mold construction and sea trials, with epoxy and fibreglass construction using a vacuum method.
