Principles of Yacht Design

The last 30 years have marked a revolution in sailboat design. Advances in hydrodynamics, materials, and computer technology have created lighter, stronger, faster, and more comfortable sailboats than ever before. But the language of this transformation can be truly intimidating, as every sailing magazine reader soon learns. When designers and builders of sailing yachts struggle to keep up, what hope is there for sailors? Plenty, thanks to this new bible of sailboat design, comprehensible to amateurs, comprehensive for professionals. It follows the design of a 40-foot cruising sailboat from the first sketch to the final weight, strength, and sail area calculations, with tables, charts, and diagrams to let the reader adapt the process to any other design.

Principles of Yacht Design was the first book for mnay years to examine every aspect of the process of yacht design and was welcomed with open arms by owners of boats small and large, practising designers, naval architecture students and the boatbuilding industry as a whole. Now revised and expanded for its second edition to cover power boat design in more detail, it makes an even more valuable contribution to our understanding of the process of yacht design.

The authors have used a newly designed 40 foot performance cruiser to demonstrate the practical application of yacht design theory. Beginning with the yacht's specificaitons, the authors explain the geometry of the hull by means of lines plans and introduce CAD techniques. Hydrostatics and stability in calm water as well as waves are described in detail, as is the design of the hull, keel and rudder. Next the aerodynamics of the sails and the influence this has on the shape of the sail plan is examined. Methods are introduced for finding the balance of the yacht, and there is a short chapter on selecting the correct propeller and the engine. The special hydrodynamics of high-speed power boats is also addressed for the first time in this edition.

Structural aspects of the design are treated comprehensively for both sail and power boats. Loads acting on the hull and rig are identified and methods for computing them introduced. There is also a discussion of different fibre reinforced plastics, including sandwich laminates. Finally, practical matters such as the layout of the cockpit, deck and cabin are discussed, and a complete weight calculation is provided for the 40-footer.

The book is richly illustrated with explanatory diagrams, and although the subject is complicated, the authors treat it in a remarkably clear and concise manner, making it easily understandable for both professionals and amateurs interested in the principles of yacht design.

"This book is deeply fascinating . . . a must."--Classic Boat

"Here at last is a book that replaces Skene's Elements of Yacht Design as the yacht designer's bible."--Yachting Monthly

"A copy belongs in the collection of any aspiring designer."--Soundings

"Essential in understanding the new era in Yacht design."--WoodenBoat

"Bound to become a classic."--Cruising World

"A definitive work on yacht design."--Cruising

"A new bible on yacht design."--SA Yachting

"A sound and up to date manual of yacht design . . . a classic in its field."--Practical Boat Owner