This is a brief summary of some of the major topics covered in our course. Lessons one through 9 seem to require little revision and may be assumed to remain nearly the same over time. The later lessons are still being revised frequently as we learn more about the learning needs of various students. Generally new students may expect that these lessons will have changed in content somewhat by the time they get to them. The following information is from the title page of each lesson current to the above date.

Lesson One - Introduction to Yacht Design
    Defining the Profession
    How One Becomes a Designer
    School's Philosophy & Approach to Testing and Grading
    Use of the Basic Drafting Tools
    Review of Basic Math
    Review of Opportunities for Designers and Draftsmen

Lesson Two - Preliminary Design
    Defining the Intended Use
    Deciding on Type and Style
    General Rules for Interiors and Human Proportions
    Estimating Required Size
    Roughing Out Profile, Deck Plan and Accommodations
    Defining the Midsection
    Choosing Displacement and Prismatic Coefficient
    First Trial on Scantlings
    First Trial on Ballast
    First Trial on Sail Area and Engine Horsepower
    Laws of Mechanical Similitude
    Use of Splines, Spline Weights and the Planimeter

Lesson Three "A" - Understanding Lines Drawings & Lofting
    Understanding Lines Drawings
    Round Bottom Lines
    Compromise Forms
    Drawing Sequence
    Fairing
    Calculating Displacement
    Pounds Per Inch Immersion
    Approximate Moment to Alter Trim One Inch
    The Table of Offsets
    Lofting
    Lines Development on Computers (introduced)
    Computer Lofting and Cutting of Parts (introduced)
    Future of On-Screen Design (introduced)

Lesson Three "B" - Understanding Chine Lines Drawings, Lofting, & Surface Expansion
    Flat Bottom Lines
    Vee Bottom Lines
    Developed Surface Lines - General, Cylindrical & Conic
    Developed Surface Lines - Multi-Conic
    Expansion of Developed Platea
    Developed Surface Hulls in Rhino
    Expansions in Rhino

Lesson Four A - Theory & Practice of Developing Excellence in Hull Lines
    The Presumed Effect on Performance of Each Line Type
    Problems in Judging Each Line Independently
    Using Diagonals to End the Confusion
    The Step by Step Procedure for Developing the Best Lines
    Example of Hull Drawn Without Using Diagonals
    Improvement of the Example Hull Using Diagonals to Control the Other Lines
    Mention of Lesson Five Model Making for Developing Lines
    Examination of the Differences in Developing Planing Hulls

Lesson Four B - Theory & Practice of Developing Excellence in Hull Lines - Section Shape Considerations, Fairing, and Hull Resistance Reduction
    Section Shape and Initial Stability
    Designing Chines to Avoid Cross Flow
    Underbody Smoothness
    Turbulence
    Wetted Surface
    Flow at or Near the Water Surface Versus Submerged Flow
    Modeling Flow Over Surface Piercing and Near Surface Bodies
    Fully Immersed Streamline Flow
    Evaluation of Drag on Fully Submerged Streamlined Bodies
    Proper Construction of Streamlined Bodies
    Variable Prismatic Coefficient for Low to High Speeds as Boat Changes Trim

Lesson Four C - Theory & Practice of Developing Excellence in Hull Lines - Appendage Development and Fairing & Final Considerations in Developing Lines
    When Fillets Are Good and When They Are Not – A Subject of Controversy
    “Appropriate or Inappropriate” Versus “Modern or Old Fashioned” Characteristics
    Avoiding Foreign Object Drag in Bulb Keels
    Intersection of Bulbs with Keels and Struts
    Avoiding Drag in SWATH Hull Bulbs
    Ultimate Result in Dealing with Bulb Problems
    Bulbous Bows
    Foil Lift Versus Vortex Lift
    Choosing Spade Rudders, Skeg Hung Rudders, or Keel Hung Rudders Rationally
    Avoidance of Laminar Flow Foils in Non-Dry Sailed Yachts
    Avoidance of Laminar Flow Foils in Rudders
    Mistake of Picking One Factor in Speed Production and Emphasizing It Beyond Reason
    Distortions Introduced by the Racing Rules
    Why We Devote So Many Lessons to Lines Characteristics

Lesson Five - Model Making as a Design Aid
    Why Models are Helpful
    The Hawks Nest Model
    The Conventional Half Model
    The True Designer’s Model

Lesson Six - Flotation & Stability
    Flotation
    Areas and Displacement by the Trapazoidal Rule
    Areas and Displacement by Simpson's Rule
    Moments
    Center of Buoyancy, Longitudinal
    Center of Buoyancy, Vertical
    Center of Lateral Plane (measured & by paper methods)
    Center of Waterplane Area
    Longitudinal Center of Flotation
    Pounds Per Inch Immersion (Kilograms Per Centimeter)
    Prismatic Coefficient
    Displacement to Length Ratio
    Wetted Surface
    Scantlings Numeral
    Block Coefficient
    Weight Estimate
    Weights of Materials
    Longitudinal Center of Gravity
    Vertical Center of Gravity
    Ballast Location & Weight
    Figuring Center of Gravity
    Calculating Upright Center of Buoyancy
   

Lesson Six "B" - Stability
    Basic Concepts of Stability
    Static Stability
    Dynamic Stability
    Metacentric Height as a Measure of Initial Stability
    Finding the Heeled Center of Buoyancy for a Given Angle
    Comparative Stability by the Wind Pressure Coefficient Method
    Comparative Stability by the Dellenbaugh Angle Method
    Stability Testing by Inclining Experiments
    Moment of Inertia
    Moment of Inertia of a Waterplane about the Centerline
    Moment to Alter Trim One Inch
    Radius of Gyration
    Free Surface Effects

Lesson Seven - Artistry & Proportion in Design
Part I.
    Drafting Styling - Why we do it
    Discussing the Conventions
    Detailed Instructions on Producing Various Effects
    Detail Drafting Techniques
    Producing an Emotional Response in the Non-Technical Mind Through Pictorial Elements
Part II.
    Actual Styling Rules for Defining the Appearance of the Vessel
    Bows and Sterns
    Beauty in Curves and How to Find it
    Weak versus Strong Curves
    Interesting the Visual Portion of Brain with Proper Use of Strengthening and Loosening Curves
    Relating the Sheer to the Beam and Beam Distribution of the Vessel
    Relating Sheer Heights at the Forward and Aft ends of the Load Water Line
    Relating the Sheer to the type of Ends
    Relating the Sheer to the Emotional Response Desired
    Relating the Sheer to the Type of Vessel
    Relating the Sheer to the Service the Vessel Will See
    The Difference Between the Appearance of the Sheer on Paper and the Sheer in the Water
    Drawing Sheers that Look Best in the Water
    Sheer Expansion

Lesson Eight - Plank on Frame Wood Construction
    Theory of the Method
    Sawn Frame Principles
    Bent Frame Principles
    Laminated Frame Principles
    Types of Fastenings and Their Uses
    Specifications on Sizing Trunnels, Screws, Bolts, Rivits
    Effect of Type of Fastenings on Construction Members
    Single Planked Carvel
    Double Planked Carvel
    Strip Planked
    Theory of the Caulked Seam

Lesson Nine - Sheathed Strip & Cold Molded Construction
    Theory of the Method Sheathed Strip Construction
    Theory of Cold Molded Construction
    Problems of Compromise Methods
    Practical Methods in Drawing Sheathed Strip and Cold Molded Construction

Lesson Ten - Steel & Aluminum Construction
    Recommended Practice
    Chine Hulls
    Developed Surface Hulls
    Round Bilged Hulls
    Design Practice for Ease of Maintenance and Repair in Steel Hulls
    Design Practice for Ease of Maintenance and Repair in Aluminum Hulls

Lesson Eleven - Fiberglass Construction
    Basic Engineering Questions in Fiberglass Construction Theory and Practice
    Industry Problems
    Planning for Proper Repair and Problem Solving
    The Solid Laminate Solution
    The Hollow Fiberglass Frames Solution
    The Wood & Epoxy Framed Solution
    Cored Hull Questions
    The Light Core and Designing for It
    Honey Comb Core and Its Limitations in Practice
    Softwood and Epoxy Cores
    Limitations of Kevlar as a reinforcement
    Limitations of Carbon Fiber
    Testing laminates and Especially Cored Laminates
    The Fallacy of Distributed Load Testing
    Use of Cored Laminates in Interiors

Lesson Twelve - Scantlings Rule Development & Engineering Testing
    Tensile Strength
    Shear Strength
    Compression
    Buckling
    Ductility
    Stiffness
    Modulus of Elasticity
    Moment of Inertia & Buckling
    Section Modulus & Bending
    Relating the Above to Understand Strength
    Fatigue Characteristics & Fatigue Limits
    Marine Environmental Factors
    Testing for Above Characteristics
    Impact Studies
    Vector Analysis, Graphic
    Vector Analysis, Calculated
    Submarine Design Basics as an Exercise
    Finite Element Analysis  
  

Lesson Thirteen - Basic Engineering Principles
    Calculations and Their Application
    Functionality
    Simplicity
    Durability
    Ease of Repair
    Ease of Production
    Avoidance of Stress Concentration
    Fatigue Avoidance
    Vector Analysis
    Strength of Materials Tables
    Information Sources
    Cautions on the Limitations of Various Certification Societies
    Foundry Work
    Limitations of the Engineering in This Lesson
    More Exotic Engineering
    Finite Element Analysis

Lesson Fourteen - Rig Design
    Understanding the Effects of Rating Rules
    Understanding the Effects of Tradition
    Basic Aerodynamic Principles
    Basic Sail Design Principles
    Conventional Stayed Rigs
    Traditional Unstayed Mast Rules of Thumb
    Designing Freestanding and Rotating Masts as Cantilevered Spars
    Design Considerations for Carbon Fiber / Graphite Fiber Spars
    Relating Rigs to Stability Calculations
    Rig Types
    Magnus Effect Design

Lesson Fifteen - Powering
    Introduction to Resistance
    General Theory of Resistance
    Resistance in Sailing Vessels
    Resistance in Displacement Power Vessels
    Resistance in Planing & Other High Speed Form
    Introduction to Powering
    Horsepower – Displacement Speeds
    Lift, Trim, and Powering in Non-Stepped and Stepped Planing Powerboats
        Calculation of Lift and Trim for Planing Hulls
        Refining Shape for Reasonable Motion
        Designing to Avoid Chine Walking in Waves
        Weight Reduction
        Effect of Deadrise Angles on Lift
        Effect of Center of Gravity on Trim and Lift
        Over Reliance on Strakes
        Interference of Marketing Personnel in Naval Architectural Decisions
        Special Considerations in Designing Stepped Planing Hulls
    Horsepower – Planing Speeds
    Special Design Considerations Appropriate to Planing Speeds
    Propeller Size and Pitch
    Shaft Size
    Diesel and Gasoline Engine Types
    Electric Drives
    Rational Matching of Vessel Use and Power
    Understanding the Basic Math of Internal Combustion Engines

Lesson Sixteen - Accommodations Design Principles in Detail
    Reference to the Tables Used in Developing the Preliminaries
    Use of Space
    Avoidance of Affectation and Complication
    Functionality
    Suitability to Use
    Cruising Boat Interiors
    Workboat Interiors
    Yacht Interiors
    Planing Hull and Racing Sailboat Interiors
    Choice of Materials
    Choice of Construction

Lesson Seventeen - Equipment Specifications and Sources
    Deck and Rig Hardware
    Fixtures for the Living Quarters
    Electronics
    Hydraulics
    Source List
    Publications List

Lesson Eighteen - Business Aspects of Custom & Stock Designing
    Setting Fees for Custom Designs
    Setting Fees for Stock Plans
    Setting Fees for Publications
    Promotion Through Technical Writing for the Yachting Press
    Promotion Through the World Wide Web
    Advertising
    Self Publishing of Technical Books and Design Catalogs.
    Customer Support

Lesson Twenty - Creating A Firm to Design, Build, Store and Repair
    Why You May Want to Avoid This
    Why We Teach It Anyway
    Advantage of Each Aspect Feeding the Others
    The Nature of the Boatbuilding and Repair Industry
    Smoothing Out Economic Hills and Valleys
    Setting Hourly Rates
    Figuring the Breakeven Point
    The Marketing Plan
    Buildings
    Equipment
    Financing Differently Than Other Businesses
    Taking the Time to Do it Right
    Developing the Business Plan