Boat Design Forums

  1. Design

    1. Boat Design

      Discuss boat design concepts, projects, plans, reviews, resources, and general design topics.
      Discussions:
      15,205
      Messages:
      230,453
      Latest: First timer question NArn503, Feb 18, 2026 at 6:06 PM
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    2. Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics

      Technical discussion on fluid dynamics: theory and analysis.
      Discussions:
      1,054
      Messages:
      23,842
      Latest: Gyrocopter rotor instead of canvas sail ? Paul Scott, Feb 15, 2026 at 12:12 PM
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    3. Stability

      Discuss stability issues and calculations, power and sail.
      Discussions:
      1,025
      Messages:
      16,906
      Latest: Sail Switch From Marconi to Balanced Lug on 24'Catamaran seasquirt, Feb 6, 2026
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    4. Class Societies

      Scantling Rules, updates and discussion on Society Classification: Lloyds, ABS, DNV, ISO ...
      Discussions:
      418
      Messages:
      4,773
      Latest: Structural stiffness related to material and scantling rules william stokes, Jan 8, 2026
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    5. Powerboats

      Discuss production and custom powerboats and powerboat design.
      Discussions:
      2,718
      Messages:
      29,253
      Latest: New build coming soon Cajunpockettunnel, Feb 17, 2026 at 11:49 AM
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    6. Propulsion

      Discuss marine engines, drives, and propulsion systems.
      Discussions:
      6,077
      Messages:
      72,100

      1. Props

      2. Surface Drives

      3. Jet Drives

      4. Outboards

      5. Sterndrives

      6. Pod Drives

      7. Inboards

      8. Diesel Engines

      9. Gas Engines

      10. Electric Propulsion

      11. Hybrid

      12. DIY Marinizing

      Latest: Electric inboard motor, my journey to find proper motor brian eiland, Feb 13, 2026 at 10:23 AM
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    7. Motorsailers

      Discuss monohull and multihull motorsailers and motorsailer design.
      Discussions:
      161
      Messages:
      4,042
      Latest: Revolutionary Sailboat Design MotorCityBW, Feb 11, 2026
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    8. Sailboats

      Discuss monohull sailboat design, production and custom monohull sailboats.
      Discussions:
      4,521
      Messages:
      83,179
      Latest: "Designing" a double-handed racing dinghy TS19, Feb 18, 2026 at 3:46 PM
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    9. Multihulls

      Discuss multi-hull sailboat design, production and custom sailing catamarans and trimarans.
      Discussions:
      3,393
      Messages:
      90,724
      Latest: Multihull Structure Thoughts bajansailor, Feb 17, 2026 at 1:12 AM
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    10. OnBoard Electronics & Controls

      Discuss onboard mechanical, hydraulic, and electric control systems, monitoring, navigation, communication, systems integration and onboard computer systems.
      Discussions:
      884
      Messages:
      11,105
      Latest: Interconnects for battery to thruster Rumars, Jan 31, 2026
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    11. Software

      Discuss marine design software: hull design, fairing, modeling, rendering, and CNC.
      Discussions:
      3,153
      Messages:
      25,386

      1. General Computing

      Latest: Swordfish 3D: free naval architecture plugin for Rhino (hydrostatics, stability, loads) Gianandrea Fiorillo, Feb 17, 2026 at 4:16 AM
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  2. Collaboration

    1. Option One

      Collaborative design of a power cruiser: trailerable, 300 mile range, economical at cruise & displacement speeds.
      Discussions:
      67
      Messages:
      1,727
      Latest: Cool trailerable boat parkland, Jan 9, 2015
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    2. Projects & Proposals

      An open forum to generate ideas for collaborative design projects.
      Discussions:
      451
      Messages:
      8,753
      Latest: Electric Launch Design optimized for semi-displacement speeds Stephen Ditmore, Nov 28, 2025
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  3. Construction

    1. Boatbuilding

      Discuss boatbuilding projects, methods, plans & kits, ask questions, and share your experiences.
      Discussions:
      11,017
      Messages:
      136,301

      1. Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building

      2. Metal Boat Building

      3. Wooden Boat Building and Restoration

      4. Electrical Systems

      Latest: Flush hatch kapnD, Feb 18, 2026 at 2:52 PM
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    2. Materials

      Discuss boatbuilding materials: composites, woods, metals, plastics, and finishes.
      Discussions:
      3,031
      Messages:
      32,488
      Latest: Engine Room makeup air vent filter media? ShaneB, Feb 18, 2026 at 12:14 PM
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    3. Marketplace

      Boatbuilding materials, tools, equipment, molds, tooling and custom projects for sale or trade.
      Discussions:
      2,941
      Messages:
      13,280

      1. Boat Molds

      Latest: Fin and Feather molds for sale 16ft up for sale $15000 Steve Miller, Feb 15, 2026 at 7:11 PM
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  4. Employment and Education

    1. Education

      Discuss schools and programs of Naval Architecture and Yacht Design and entry paths into a boat design career.
      Discussions:
      908
      Messages:
      6,490
      Latest: Faculty positions CDBarry, Jan 15, 2026
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    2. Services & Employment

      Post positions available and marine design and boatbuilding services offered.
      Discussions:
      1,884
      Messages:
      6,480
      Latest: Seeking an engineer to design a rotatable pod gonzo, Jan 31, 2026
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  5. Community

    1. All Things Boats & Boating

      Enjoy friendly conversation with other forum members and boaters on marine-related topics, boats, and boating in general.
      Discussions:
      4,301
      Messages:
      142,479

      1. Press Releases

      2. Wiki Archive

      3. Forum Questions and Suggestions

      4. Post-Tsunami

      Latest: Anybody seen this guy on youtube? Sailing around the world in a trailer able 32ft trimaran (farrier) haydent, Feb 16, 2026 at 8:16 PM
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