Learning Map

Sailmaking & Sail Design · Stage 4

Published course

Instructor: Dario Motta

Having a good set of sails is crucial for enhancing a sailboat’s performance on the water. This introductory course will guide you through all the different aspects to be considered when designing a new sail: rig, geometry, materials, aerodynamics, design phases, manufacturing, and sail inventories.

Subject Areas

• Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics
• Sail Design & Sailmaking

Fluid dynamics & CFD · Stage 4

Published course

Instructor: Bartomeu Pericas

Familiarity with fluid dynamics is fundamental for understanding how sailing boats work and designing and operating components such as sails, wingsails, keels, rudders, foils, and Flettner rotors. This introductory course will teach you its fundamentals, including airfoil and wing analysis, making accessible a field that has brought amazing innovations to sailing craft.

Subject Areas

• Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics
• Sail Design & Sailmaking

Stability & ISO 12217 · Stage 2

Published course

Instructors: Pablo Eleazar Merino Alonso, Javier Calderon-Sanchez

After completing this course, you will deeply understand ship stability in the context of yachts and small craft and how to apply this knowledge to use the ISO 12217 Standard, “Small craft — Stability and buoyancy assessment and categorization,” Part 2, “Sailing boats of hull length greater than or equal to 6 m.”

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• Standards, Regulations & Compliance

3D CAD & Visualization · Stage 1

Published course

Instructor: Yania Demaria

This course provides detailed explanations about the software interface and all the basic geometries used in naval and yacht applications. It also defines a consistent workflow for an organized design with Rhinoceros. The last part is dedicated to the hands-on development of a daysailer boat 3D model.

Subject Areas

• CAD, Modeling & Rendering
• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

Structures & ISO 12215 · Stage 3

Published course

Instructors: Javier Calderon-Sanchez, Pablo Eleazar Merino Alonso

Structural design and scantling determination are crucial steps in a vessel’s design process since providing sufficient structural strength is one of the main objectives when designing floating devices. Moreover, they also affect other aspects of a vessel, such as resistance and stability. By completing this course, you will be able to design the structure of a boat, understand the ISO 12215 norm and the fundamentals behind it, and apply this norm to evaluate the scantling of either motorboats or sailing yachts.

Subject Areas

• Materials & Structural Design
• Standards, Regulations & Compliance

3D CAD & Visualization · Stage 2

Published course

Instructor: Yania Demaria

This course will bring you from an intermediate to an advanced level. After taking the course, you will be ready for a real-world experience. It begins by diving into pro-surface techniques. Then, it continues by mastering continuity and advanced solids tools. It culminates with a 60-foot ocean sailing yacht as a final project, where you will apply all the concepts covered during the course to create impressive curves, shapes, and seamless connections.

Subject Areas

• CAD, Modeling & Rendering
• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

Modeling & Analysis · Stage 1

Published course

Instructor: Rodolfo Francisco María Rioja

Master how to model vessels of any type and length with Maxsurf and learn many Naval Architecture and Yacht design concepts along the way! In this course, the instructor will guide you through the process of modeling two vessels using the Maxsurf modeler: a sharp-bilge Pilot Boat and a Sailing Boat with a round bilge. By the end of the course, you will not only know how to model hulls from a linesplan, but you will also have learned how to model details such as appendages, propeller tunnels, bulwarks, cabins, skegs, forecastle decks, and more, how to use modeling techniques and most of the modeling commands, and how to interpret the results obtained and validate your models.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• CAD, Modeling & Rendering

Sailmaking & Sail Design · Stage 3

Published course

Instructor: Dario Motta

Sailmaking is a trade mainly learned through practice and experience. The learning process is often long, and only sometimes junior sailmakers are lucky enough to have a mentor to teach them. Within this course, you will find reunited in a single source knowledge and guidance previously difficult to find or simply unavailable. The instructor uses many examples and photos to make you feel like you are in a sail loft doing the things that are taught. By the end of the course, you will have a good understanding of sails, types and geometry, materials, sail lofts, sewing machines, and sail manufacturing.

Subject Areas

• Sail Design & Sailmaking

Fluid dynamics & CFD · Stage 5

Published course

Instructors: Javier Calderon-Sanchez, Pablo Eleazar Merino Alonso

This course provides the knowledge and tools required to understand, perform, and analyze the results of Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations with the open-source software OpenFOAM. By completing the course, you will be able to carry out CFD simulations with OpenFOAM for different naval and marine applications. The course also includes extensive theoretical explanations of hull resistance and the physics of lift generation.

Subject Areas

• Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics

Yacht Surveying · Stage 4

Published course

Instructor: Vladimir Kostov

The first of a two-part series dedicated to Yacht Surveying, this course has been designed for students, boating enthusiasts, and professionals who want to understand how yacht surveys are planned, performed, and reported, this course introduces the regulatory, technical, and practical foundations of the surveyor’s work. Students will explore the role of marine organizations, Flag States, Classification Societies, and Certifying Authorities, as well as the main types of yacht surveys, including pre-purchase, condition, damage, rig and sails, valuation, and sea trial surveys. The course also introduces the inspection of craft built from different construction materials and guides students through the survey process, from preparation and safety considerations to inspection methods, tools, documentation, and reporting.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• Standards, Regulations & Compliance

Design & Certification · Stage 4

Published course

Instructor: Jean-Noel Roussier

Before a boat can be placed on the market or put into service, it must obtain a certification issued at the end of a homologation process. This process of homologating and certifying a boat is often not very well known, which leads to frustration, loss of time, and money. This course presents the process of homologating and certifying a boat under the European Union legislation in a clear, concise, and appealing way. It covers the European Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU (RCDII or RCD2) and focuses on the key elements to obtain a boat's CE marking.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• Standards, Regulations & Compliance

Programming & AI · Stage 4

Published course

Instructors: Andrés Pastor Sanchez, Javier Capel Jorquera, Antonio Medina Manuel

This course covers Python programming, focusing on data analysis, starting from the basics and building up to more advanced topics like classes. Python is a powerful open-source programming language and one of the most popular worldwide. Its vast ecosystem has libraries and frameworks available for virtually every need. This course will explore how Python can be leveraged to tackle complex challenges. With the Capstone Project, you will learn to manage big data by analyzing a large dataset of parametrized hull geometries. Completing this course will give you the knowledge and skills to understand and write Python code.

Subject Areas

• Programming, AI & Machine Learning

3D CAD & Visualization · Stage 3

Published course

Instructor: Yania Demaria

This course teaches advanced training in command sequences, rendering, and modeling techniques to enhance design performance. You will learn to create and use macros, manage renderings, and adjust materials, lighting, and camera settings. The course culminates in an engaging final project: a 60-foot flybridge multi-deck motor yacht, where you will be encouraged to experiment with different design variations to boost creativity and help develop your own unique style. This course is the final part of a three-level Rhino course that started with the software’s basics, explored intermediate tools, and now dives into advanced features.

Subject Areas

• CAD, Modeling & Rendering
• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

Structures & ISO 12215 · Stage 5

Published course

Instructor: Daniel Sá

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has become an essential skill. This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of FEA applied to structural analysis. In the theoretical section, you will explore concepts like material resistance, beam models, finite element fundamentals, and how a FEA software works. The practical lessons will guide you through model preparation, meshing, local axis, boundary conditions, materials, loads, post-processing, key results to look for, and how to prepare a professional report. The course also features multiple examples based on a bulk carrier ship and a fast craft and culminates in a final project involving a planing motorboat, which will allow you to apply everything you have learned in a practical context.

Subject Areas

• Materials & Structural Design
• Offshore Engineering

Offshore Engineering · Stage 5

Published course

Instructor: Arianna Sala

This course offers a clear, structured overview of offshore wind technology, providing the essential knowledge needed to work in this fast-growing field. Starting with the basics of fluid mechanics, you’ll explore key concepts such as turbine and wind farm aerodynamics, wind resources, energy yield and control, offshore environments, and the hydrodynamics of turbine foundations. By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid understanding of how offshore wind farms operate and how their components work together. You’ll gain practical skills to analyze site conditions, select suitable foundation types, and assess energy production—competencies directly applicable to the wind energy industry.

Subject Areas

• Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics
• Offshore Engineering

Programming & AI · Stage 5

Published course

Instructors: Andrés Pastor Sanchez, Javier Capel Jorquera, Antonio Medina Manuel

Master the foundations of AI and Machine Learning in this practical, hands-on, Python-based course. Learn essential algorithms, build models from scratch, and apply deep learning techniques using real-world data. You’ll complete a personalized final project — including the option to work with MIT’s ShipD dataset — giving you experience with real engineering challenges. Ideal for engineers and technical professionals, whether you’re new to AI or looking to advance your skills and confidently build, train, and deploy modern AI models.

Subject Areas

• Programming, AI & Machine Learning
• Offshore Engineering

Structures & ISO 12215 · Stage 4

Published course

Instructors: Javier Calderon-Sanchez, Pablo Eleazar Merino Alonso

This course focuses on ISO 12215, the international standard for determining scantlings in small craft up to 24 meters. A continuation of the previous Structural Design & Scantling course, it expands beyond GPR materials and monohull sailboats to cover metallic and wooden materials, motorboats, and multihulls.

Subject Areas

• Materials & Structural Design
• Standards, Regulations & Compliance

Modeling & Analysis · Stage 2

Published course

Instructor: Rodolfo Francisco María Rioja

Dive deeper into naval architecture with Maxsurf! In this course, you’ll learn how to design a vessel from scratch using Maxsurf Modeler—no Lines Plan required—applying advanced modeling techniques and core naval engineering concepts. You’ll master detailed hydrostatic analyses in Maxsurf Stability and understand how to configure input data, assess damage scenarios, and interpret key stability results. Then, using Maxsurf VPP, you’ll evaluate the performance of sailing yachts under various conditions. With hands-on projects, you’ll confidently simulate, analyze, and validate your results.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• CAD, Modeling & Rendering

Design & Certification · Stage 2

Published course

Instructors: Javier Calderon-Sanchez, Pablo Eleazar Merino Alonso

Yacht Design 1 is the first course in a two-part series on concept yacht design for both sailing and motor yachts. You’ll learn how yacht geometry drives key characteristics—stability, speed/performance, maneuverability, and seakeeping—and how to translate performance goals into practical design choices. The course focuses on the early stages of hull, appendage, and rig development. Through detailed case studies, you’ll follow a clear design workflow: defining main dimensions and ratios, and estimating critical parameters such as speed targets, center of gravity position, and minimum stability requirements. You’ll also model hull forms and design appendages including rudders, keels (with bulb), and foils, and cover the fundamentals of sails and rig design for sailing yachts.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture

Composite Materials · Stage 4

Published course

Instructor: Lucía Díaz Ortiz

Composite Materials 1 is a practical, technical introduction to composite materials, focused on how they are manufactured and used in real production. The course highlights what matters in practice: construction details, production-oriented design decisions, and the factors that drive manufacturability, quality, repeatability, and efficiency. You’ll learn how composites are produced, how to approach mould design for series production, and what to consider when defining requirements, selecting a mould concept, or choosing a material system from a production perspective. The course also covers common manufacturing defects, prevention and repair methods, and an overview of inspection and testing techniques used for composite components.

Subject Areas

• Materials & Structural Design

Exterior & Interior Design · Stage 2

Published course

Instructor: Lisandro Torres

Yacht Interior Design 1 is the first course in a three-course series dedicated to yacht interior design. It provides a structured and profession-oriented foundation in the planning, development, representation, and presentation of yacht interiors. Students will explore yacht types and interior areas, space planning and layout development, General Arrangement drawings, conventional and non-standard spaces, furniture and components, materials and finishes, and the yacht-specific considerations that influence interior design. The course also introduces the role of the yacht interior designer and the principal stages of the design process, from concept development and verification through production, delivery, and refit considerations. Students will also be introduced to sketching, floor plans, two-dimensional and three-dimensional representation, mood boards, materials and finishes selection, and visualization methods. The course concludes with a final project in which students design or redesign a yacht interior area.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

Exterior & Interior Design · Stage 1

Published course

Instructor: Andrew Trujillo

Gain a broad and practical introduction to yacht exterior and interior design. This course explores the history, principles, typologies, materials, and workflows that shape the profession, while showing how exterior form and interior space influence one another. You will follow an introductory design process from the brief and early concepts through layouts, exterior form development, material boards, technical drawings, 2D and 3D CAD, specifications, schedules, visualization, and final presentation. Along the way, you will examine structure, basic hull-form creation, ergonomics, lighting, finishes, cultural influences, and basic regulatory considerations.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

Yacht Surveying · Stage 5

Published course

Instructor: Domagoj Vakante

Yacht Surveying 2 takes a practical, evidence-led approach to yacht surveying, covering survey setup, client expectations, risk grading, defect interpretation, GRP construction, watertight integrity, steering and underwater appendages, machinery and propulsion, onboard systems, sailing-yacht equipment, safety systems, sea trials and commercial outputs. You will learn how to approach findings systematically, distinguish observations from possible mechanisms and root causes, recognise the limits of the available evidence, assess and prioritise risks, and determine when further investigation may be required. The course also develops the reporting discipline needed to translate survey observations into clear, proportionate conclusions, recommendations and practical survey outputs.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• Standards, Regulations & Compliance

3D CAD & Visualization · Stage 4

Published course

Instructor: Kristijan Nikl

Parametric Design with Grasshopper 1 introduces practical parametric 3D modelling focused on yacht geometry, from Grasshopper fundamentals, interface and module assembly to the creation and refinement of NURBS surfaces. You will learn how to build clean, functional definitions, control relationships between geometric elements and use parameters to adjust dimensions, proportions and shapes as a design evolves. Through exercises including a cockpit, floor liner, bathing platform, sheer line, hull-side and bow surfaces and a hardtop, the course develops a workflow that combines Grasshopper with Rhino where appropriate, giving you the foundation needed to parametrically construct the centre-console boat geometry demonstrated in the course and continue developing your own definitions.

Subject Areas

• CAD, Modeling & Rendering
• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

Exterior & Interior Design · Stage 3

Planned course

Subject Areas

• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.

Composite Materials · Stage 5

Planned course

This course explores the practical manufacturing of composite structures, from production planning and material preparation to infusion, bonding, assembly, quality control, and defect prevention, with a focus on reliable and repeatable production processes. Currently under development.

Subject Areas

• Materials & Structural Design

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.

Design & Certification · Stage 1

Planned course

An introductory course exploring the fundamentals of yacht design. Currently under development.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.

Sailmaking & Sail Design · Stage 5

Planned course

Subject Areas

• Sail Design & Sailmaking

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.

Exterior & Interior Design · Stage 4

Planned course

Subject Areas

• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.

3D CAD & Visualization · Stage 5

Planned course

Subject Areas

• CAD, Modeling & Rendering
• Yacht Exterior & Interior Design

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.

Modeling & Analysis · Stage 3

Planned course

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• CAD, Modeling & Rendering

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.

Design & Certification · Stage 3

Planned course

A continuation of Yacht Design 1, further exploring yacht design principles and their practical application. Currently under development.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.

Stability & ISO 12217 · Stage 3

Planned course

Building on Stability & Evaluation with ISO 12217 (sailing boats), this course focuses on assessing motorboat stability and buoyancy in accordance with ISO 12217-1. Planned.

Subject Areas

• Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
• Standards, Regulations & Compliance

This planned course is not yet open for enrolment.