Fundamentals of boat designing

Hi guys i am fairly new to the field of boat design and i'm in great need of advise regarding the theory of boat design. I am eager in putting my own boating ideas on paper with the idea of building them. I don't want to go study a degree in naval architecture as this is just a hobby of mine and if something does ever get built it will be for my personal use. Where can i get books (e books esp.) that can teach me of what is to be looked at when you design a boat and and how to go about it. I know this will be technically demanding but i do have a diploma in mech. eng. I am very eager to learn so please any advise will be appreciated.

 

First question, power or sail?

 

Reading some books can do no harm, but I reckon that if you are a skilled and experienced mechanical engineer and you also have a love of boats and knowledge of using them you may well already be as good a boat designer as the people who write the books.

I am also a mechanical engineer, designed and built my first boat soon after leaving college, so 35 years ago now and for the type of boat it is it seems to work as well or better than any you could buy off the shelf, sounds big headed I know. Mind you, it couldnt be a production boat, it was designed specifically for me to make it using the facilities I had available at the time.

At various times in my career I have done professional boat design work, working out the details for some of the top yacht designers. These people dont know anything a good mechanical engineer wouldnt know, or be able to work out. Basic things like getting the CoB in the right place are trivial these days because it all drops out of the 3D CAD. Mind you, you need to be good at the styling as well as the function, thats more important for yachts than for pretty well any other end product, but there is no reason an engineer shouldnt be good at that too. An advantage of designing only for yourself is you only have to make it look nice for you, dont have to guess what will look good to the client and the friends he may be wanting to impress.

 

Fundamentalsnof boat design

It will be for sailing boats. I tend to agree with you john, design principles remain the same so with my background it should not be a problem, but I would still like some advise with regards to books or information i can buy that would give me a foundation in in yacht design not only will it give me a guideline but it can open my perspective on boat design.

 

Hi Izak
In my personal view, there is one book standing out. "Principles of Yachtdesign" by Lars Larsson and Rolf E.Eliasson. Also don't forget to order "designing power and Sail" by Arthur Edmunds. They are availabe at the internet book store either second hand for very good prices or brand new.
Bert

 

Thanks BertKu, i am going to order those books and take it from there. Thanks a lot for the input .
Regards Izak

 

It depends where you are living. If you phone me on Little Brak River 6966753. I may be able to lent it to you and if you like it, you then order it afterwards.
But don't wreck it quickly by making photocopies of all pages. No more than 2 photo copies per book. That will be the condition.
Bert

 

Izak, I forgot. Please phone me at reasonable hours. 07h00 - 21h00 is fine
Bert

 

Hi Bert

Thank you very much for the offer, i highly appreciate it. I will get into contact with you regarding the lending of your books (especially seeing that the prices of these books are expensive , it would be nice first see if it is what i need).

Thanks again for sharing your advise, its great to see that the senior members are so willing to help.

Regards

Izak