HydroComp NavCad 2026 Released

What’s New in HydroComp NavCad 2026

Development in 2026 for HydroComp NavCad offers new technical features and workflow improvements.

Release Build 2026.1

ADVM Update [Premium]

ADVM (Analytical Distributed Volume Method) is NavCad’s higher-order resistance prediction method for displacement and semi-displacement ships. Unlike NavCad’s many parametric methods, ADVM uses the longitudinal distribution of section area and waterplane for a more refined data model, and predicts the wave-making system via direct integration rather than parametric fitting. (See the NavCad help content for details.)

New to ADVM is an analytical, speed-dependent sinkage and trim correction applied to the section area and waterplane dataset. The prior correction – now called the Simple option – shifted the distribution in a manner similar to a Lackenby transform, but it could not account for cases where sinkage and trim introduced substantial changes in wetted geometry at the stern (e.g., transom immersion, new wetted area). The new correction instead performs a full hydrostatic refinement of the dataset. Two examples below illustrate the benefit.

These are model test validations for two very different hulls: a wide-beam offshore supply vessel (left) and a variant of the high-speed NPL series (right). The purple line shows the prediction using the Simple dynamic trim correction. Note the dashed line in the OSV validation – this marks a new speed-range check included with the ADVM prediction. Full, wide-beam hulls are typically challenging for analytical wave-making methods of this type, and the new check flags when predictions fall outside the tested range of applicability.

Additional improvements have also been made to the method’s viscous drag prediction.

Miscellaneous

• Windows 11 interface improvements (e.g., screen centering on multiple monitors).
• Updated SJTU sinkage and trim method for better results at high speed (FN>0.45).

 

Release Build 2026.0

Interface Theme Update

Continuing the interface design objectives for all HydroComp’s tools, NavCad 2026 now has new control functions and entry cell navigation on main forms, enhanced hull CAD import, and improved coordinate plot visualization and export quality.

Download the full press release here.

About HydroComp NavCad

For additional information, click to: www.hydrocompinc.com/solutions/navcad