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 Designers 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 Nineteen - Reserved for Future Use
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