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Typical Applications
With over 30,000 installations worldwide, Hamilton Jet propulsion systems are well proven for providing efficien-
cy, reliability and flexibility in a wide range of hull forms. With models available to suit speeds in excess of 60 knots
and power inputs ranging from 200 to 4700hp, Hamilton waterjets can be used in single or multiple configurations
in vessels typically up to 200 feet long as main propulsion system, or as boost or loiter propulsion. Fast Passenger
Ferries, Work Boats, Patrol Craft, Rescue Craft, Military Support Craft, Pilot Boats, Recreational Cruisers and Fishing
Boats are just a few of the typical applications of the Hamilton Waterjet.
Waterjet propulsion has many advantages over other forms of marine propulsion, such
as stern drives, outboard motors, shafted propellers and surface drives. These advan-
tages include...
Propulsive coefficients as good or higher than the best propeller systems achievable
High efficiency
at medium to high planing speeds
Low drag and shallow draft
Absence of underwater appendages reduces hull resistance. Jet intake is flush
with hull bottom to afford minimum draft
No hull vibration, no torque effect and no high speed cavitation gives maximum
Smooth and quiet
comfort levels on board
Low underwater acoustic signature
Pump design offers up to 25% more thrust than other waterjets between 0 and 20 knots.
Superior cavitation resistance
Maneuverability at low speeds & acceleration to high speeds are superior.
The unique JT steering nozzle minimizes thrust loss when steering. No central dead
Precise steering control
band provides higher course-keeping efficiency and higher overall boat speeds.
Proven Practicality
The intake is an integral part of the Hamilton Jet design.
This section is of robust cast construction capable of
High Propulsive
transmitting the full force of the generated thrust to the Efficiency
hull bottom, not the transom or engine via the driveshaft. The impeller design employed in Hamilton
The main thrust bearing is incorporated in this rigid waterjets is a highly refined inducer style,
structure and is unaffected by hull movement. All capable of pumping large volumes of water at relatively
Hamilton waterjets include an intake protection screen low pressures, permitting very high propulsive coeffi-
and this feature is engineered into the design so that cients to be achieved at fast boat speeds with outstanding
operational parameters such as cavitation resistance are resistance to cavitation. The impeller runs within a
unaffected by its presence. removable stainless steel wearing, with the whole design
permitting easy routine maintenance to be carried out in-
situ. Water flow exiting the impeller passes through sta-
tor vanes where the rotational elements are removed so a
straight uniform flow pattern is presented to the dis-
charge nozzle.
Semi-Displacement Hulls with beam narrowing and bottom lines rising towards the transom are suitable
provided there is sufficient immersion for the waterjet(s) to prime when the craft is at rest. For best speed, take
care to maintain the LCG well forward, especially with round bilge hulls.
Warped Hulls with reducing deadrise angles going aft can reduce trim angles and thus hull resistance in the
semi-planing speed range, improving load carrying ability.
Catamarans, of both semi-planing and semi-displacement types, can perform well in this speed range provid-
ed they obtain low running trim angles.
Keeling due to moderate dead rise and immersion aft and deeper vee forward sections, some keeling aft may
be required to maintain directional stability.
Natural Displacement Speed (NDS), a function of the crafts Water Line Length (LWL), is the speed at which dynam-
ic lift, and thus planing effects, commence. At speeds up to NDS, very modest shaft power is required and accept-
able propulsive efficiencies can thus be obtained with relatively small waterjets.
Slender hulls, having higher length to beam ratios, are recommended as they are more easily driven.
True efficient displacement speed craft, refer Low Resistance below, are designed to generate minimal bow and
stern waves with narrowing beam and rising bottom lines towards the transom.
Any less efficient slow speed hull forms can however be operated at their inherently reduced NDSs, refer High
Resistance below.
Low length to beam ratio (>3:1) High length to beam ration (<5:1)
High Resistance Low Resistance
Ensure the water level is at least up to the mainshafts of the waterjets at rest so that there will be sufficient immer-
sion for them to prime. For best speed take care to maintain the LCG well forward, especially with round bilge hulls.
Due to moderate deadrise and immersion aft and deeper forward sections, some keeling aft is recommended to
maintain directional stability.
Multihulls
Long narrow multihulls, which maintain low trim angles throughout the whole speed range, are well suited to
waterjet propulsion. The waterjet machinery package is ideal for fitting into slender catamaran hulls offering high
efficiency, vibration free and quiet operation and excellent maneuverability. As maintaining low trim angles is essen-
tial to minimize the hull resistance of catamarans, designers should compensate for the lost buoyancy aft caused by
the installation of the waterjets, generally by keeping the Longitudinal Centre of Gravity (LCG) well forward.
SES concept hulls and foils provides additional lift to the hull and a significant reduction in hull resistance. Care
must then be taken to avoid aerated water from the bows and foils entering the waterjets and thus reducing thrust.
As craft design speeds reduce, larger diameter propellers are required to maintain propulsive efficiency. The same
is true for waterjets, therefore best propulsive efficiency and craft speed will be obtained by selecting waterjet(s) at
least one model size larger than the above High (Planing) Speed table suggests.
Consult Hamilton Jet with full details in all cases for this Medium speed range, include hull Lines Drawings
if possible and the completed Questionnaire on Page C-15.
Multi-Speed Craft
Because engine overload does not occur and there is no appendage drag with waterjets, they offer a simple solution
to multi-speed craft. Waterjets can be used, at lower shaft powers, for Loiter Speed operations but still boost the
crafts top speed in conjunction with the main propulsors, whether these be other waterjets or propellers. If optimum
efficiency and speed is required at the crafts top speed then, taking into account the other propulsors, select the
waterjet model from the High Speed Table above. If the same waterjet is also to be used at loiter speeds then the
shaft power must be restricted to the maximum recommended for that model at slow speed. When the primary
function of the waterjet is to provide loiter speed ability, then select the model from the Slow Speed Table on Page
???. Note the waterjet will still provide thrust in conjunction with the main propulsors, boosting the crafts maxi-
mum speed.
WARNING
The Selection Tables shown on these pages are only intended to provide a guide for
selecting particular model(s) of Hamilton waterjet based primarily on craft weight.
However, to achieve optimum propulsive coefficients it is necessary to include
other factors in the selection process which may change the final selection of model
to suit a particular application.
Full details of all applications, especially those which fall in the shaded region
or outside the limits, should be submitted to Hamilton Jet for appraisal prior to
construction.
NOTE: With waterjets, the higher the boat speed the higher the propulsive efficiency. For best propulsive efficien-
cy with directly driven jets (no reduction gearbox}, plan for a minimum fully laden cruise speed of 25 knots.
For more accurate speed estimates, the jet(s) Dynamic Thrust can be compared with Hull Resistance data. Jet
Thrust Curves are contained in the appropriate Hamilton Jet model Designers Manual.
Hull Resistance can be evaluated either by calculation or model testing. If Hull Resistance Data is not available,
complete the Questionnaire on Page C-15 and submit to Hamilton Jet for a computer assessment of optimum
propulsion options.
Hull resistance, and thus craft speed prediction, in this Medium speed range is difficult and it is recommended
Medium Speed Craft (10 to 30 knots but increasing with length)
in all cases that a Naval Architect and/or Hamilton Jet be consulted with full details for craft speed predictions.
If not already supplied, include hull Lines Drawings if possible and the completed Questionnaire on Page C-15.
Multi-Speed Craft
Assuming all propulsors are waterjets, for speeds over 25 knots use the table above for High (Planing) Speed
Craft. For a loiter or slow speed, use the Slow Speed Craft Guide on Page C-10 to make preliminary craft speed pre-
dictions.
Low length to beam ratio (>3:1) High length to beam ratio (<5:1)
High Resistance Low Resistance
Then refer to the Natural Displacement Speed (NDS) Guide Table below. Follow the Water Line Length (LWL) for
your craft upwards and at the appropriate distance between the High and Low resistance curves read off the
preliminary prediction of the crafts Natural Displacement Speed.
For all hull shapes, NDS will be achieved with only moderate shaft power. Do not attempt to exceed NDS with a
pure displacement (Low Resistance) hull form as increasing shaft power will not give any significant speed
increase. For example, doubling the shaft power may only give a 1 knot speed increase.
For more accurate speed estimates, the jet(s) Dynamic Thrust can be compared with Hull Resistance data. Jet Thrust
Curves are contained in the appropriate Hamilton Jet model Designers Manual. Hull Resistance can be evaluated
either by calculation or model testing.
If Hull Resistance Data is not available, complete the Questionnaire on Page C-15 and submit to Hamilton Jet for a
computer assessment of optimum propulsion options.
For Slow Speed Craft, refer to the Natural Displacement Speed Guide Table on Page C-10 and decide whether your
craft is a High or Low Resistance type, or in between. Then choose a Power to Weight Ratio between 5hp/ton (for a
Low Resistance Hull) and proportionally up to 15hp/ton (for a High Resistance Hull) in order to achieve your crafts
Natural Displacement Speed (NDS).
HM Series waterjets suit power inputs up to 3,500kW (4,695hp) at speeds over 35 knots consult Hamilton Jet for
details.
Engine Selection
Select an engine of equal or slightly higher power than determined above. Note that for direct driving from engine
to jet without a gearbox, the engine rpm must also lie within the rpm range of the jet refer to the appropriate
Designers Manual for that jet model or to Hamilton Jet.
WARNING: the preceding guide leads to a preliminary selection only and other criteria, such as cavitation lim-
itations, may necessitate selection of a different model. Complete the Questionnaire on Page C-15 and return to
Hamilton Jet for a confirmation of your jet model selection and speed prediction.
HM Series
The HM Series comprises a range of highly efficient inducer style jets which can usually be applied driven from a
marine engine via a reduction gearbox and suitable for propelling craft typically from 55 to 200 feet in length.
5o
420
252
249
743 720
762
720
450
386
385
450
241 Dimensions 274 Dimensions
Please note that dimensions below are indicative only - refer to Please note that dimensions below are indicative only - refer to
241 Designers Manual for complete technical data. 274 Designers Manual for complete technical data.
570
424
5o
548
302
o
5
491
829
617
270
824
608
862
40o
550
495
680 40o
681
715
550
637
330
371
835
980 1380
1180
550
462
5o
1025
470
172 1098
5o
820
341
319
5o 0.5o 65
251 1110
______ I am interested inHamilton Jets for my boat. Please supply me with information on Model
______ I am unsure of which model is appropriate for my application. Please contact me regarding my project.
Company Name:__________________________________________________________________________________
Contacts Name: __________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________________ Fax Number: __________________________________
Type of Boat:
______ Planing Hull ______ Displacement Hull
__________________________________________
Deadrise Angle
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