Abstract
Slender-body approximations are used to predict the maximum rate of energy absorption by an elongated floating vessel which performs vertical motions of varying amplitude and phase along its length. Simple estimates are derived for the amplitude and phase of particular mode shapes, and for the corresponding power absorption. Specific mode shapes considered include polynomials, trigonometric functions, and piecewise-linear functions intended to represent an articulated raft. An articulated raft with two hinges appears to be optimum from the engineering standpoint.