Maneuverability of planing craft is a complicated hydrodynamic subject that needs more studies to comprehend its characteristics. Planing craft drivers follow a common practice for maneuver of the craft that is fundamentally different from ship’s standards. In situ full-scale tests are normally necessary to understand the maneuverability characteristics of planing craft. In this paper, a study has been conducted to illustrate maneuverability characteristics of planing craft by full-scale tests. Accelerating and turning maneuver tests are conducted on two cases at different forward speeds and rudder angles. In each test, dynamic trim, trajectory, speed, roll of the craft are recorded. The tests are performed in planing mode, semi-planing mode, and transition between planing mode to semi-planing mode to study the effects of the craft forward speed and consequently running attitude on the maneuverability. Analysis of the data reveals that the Steady Turning Diameter (STD) of the planing craft may be as large as 40 L, while it rarely goes beyond 5 L for ships. Results also show that a turning maneuver starting at planing mode might end in semi-planing mode. This transition can remarkably improve the performance characteristics of the planing craft’s maneuverability. Therefore, an alternative practice is proposed instead of the classic turning maneuver. In this practice, the craft traveling in the planing mode is transitioned to the semi-planing mode by forward speed reduction first, and then the turning maneuver is executed.
