Sailing Vessels—The Search for Performance and Structural Integrity

Abstract

This paper aims to describe how yacht design methods have changed in the last 20 years and in particular hopes to show how scientific methods have been used to predict and improve performance. Different craft have different functions and it is important for the designer of a vessel to be able to identify clearly the priorities and to be able to predict a particular vessel's performance, whether it be speed, sea-keeping, manoeuvrability or safety, with surety and accuracy. Equally, it is important for structural integrity to be predictable no matter what material and method of construction are employed.