are "open source" yacht designs a thing

I work in the software world and open source traditionally has referred to software whose "source code" is freely available (there may still be some usage restrictions).

The definition of open source has expanded, there is now open source hardware designs, open source 3d printer designs, etc.

So are there any open source yacht designs out there or any place where people collaborate on designs?

 

There are millions. Google "free boat plans"

 

A yacht design consists of much more than what is offered in "free boat plans". But, answering the OP's question, I don't think there is any open surce yacht design.

 

"The YAGO Project" was an open source boat design and building project which in 2004 was organised by forum member Yago.

But his website about it is dead for me since long.

There is a thread start about it on these forums: new free design & building project: YAGO 31' steel origami yawl

And there is an info page about it at Duck Works Magazine: The YAGO Project

 

The Internet Archive WayBack Machine has 53 captures of it from 10 Aug 2004 to 8 Nov 2016, here's eg. 27 Dec 2005, however I don't see the pics there.

 

@TANSL ... exactly ... there are millions of free boat plans, half are kayaks/canoes ...

thinking more of a complete design for something larger
https://kooldjak.com/oceania/oceania-75/

with details on scantlings/cnc-plate-info/systems/materials/etc

kind of take what this guy is doing and document it (the pics/info/vids for this are great docs already, but no lines/offsets/scantling details)
Möbius World https://mobius.world/

 

@aktxyz123 I suppose, and if I'm wrong, you just have to correct me, that what you're really asking is for someone who wants to share with you all the information about one of their designs.

 

I suppose the YD-40 from Principals of Yacht Design would qualify.

 

We did 3 free boat designs, years ago... They are available in boat design directory of this site.
The pictures of 2 of them are here: Design for amateur boat builders by AM Design, Thailand http://amdesign.co.th/Stock_design_amateur.html

In general, it takes us a lot of resources and time to support the builders of those boats. They want to make changes and they have millions of questions, starting from 'how to mix epoxy resin?'
One of the builders wanted to sue me, because he built the hull of the boat from such free design, and then found that design is not approvaed by his local class. So, never again...

 

Well, it is known that people rarely appreciate anything granted for free.

 

This is true.

To add, with boats safety issues are invloved. Open source often means 'for free' and 'anyone can use and modify'. The last statement is very dangerous, as the 'modifier' might not be skilled enougth to realise the consequences of such modification. Moreover, if the the modified design is open source, too, it can be later used by others, who are not aware of modification from the original, and this creates additional risks.

Thus, in general, for free designs it does make sence to prevent any possibility modification. Say, by not sharing 3D files or any source files...

 

The person intent on obtaining free plans, is also likely to want to cut costs elsewhere, potentially leading to corners being cut, shoestring budgets and boats are two things that don't mesh well.

 

all good points about free ... and points that could be made about the software world ... but things like linux/postgres/chromium/git/etc are open source and are literally used everywhere

but open source computer hardware is much more rare ... and probably comparison with open source boat design

 

Linux does not capsize!

 

Linux would comparable to a book on the basics of design and construction, rather than a finished boat plan.