International Measurement System: Sails
The International Measurement System (IMS) is a set of rules that defines what and how is measured on a boat. It is used by the Offshore Racing Congre…
Geometry
Hull appendages, planforms, and wing sections: what are they?
Fin keels and rudders have become the standard configuration nowadays for racing and cruising yachts and everything in between, be it inshore or offsh…
The evolution of hull and keel forms – Part 2
British "plank-on-edge" suffered from poor form stability. Yet, the deep down located ballast offered a considerable amount of weight stability and po…
The evolution of hull and keel forms – Part 1
Until the 19th century, the art of yacht design had been mainly influenced by tradition, economic and commercial motivations, understanding of materia…
The lines drawing: what it is and how to read it
The lines drawing is the conventional graphical representation of the hull. In the lines drawing, the hull's shape is represented by three different v…
Introducing the hull
The hull provides a volume to house accommodation, machinery, supplies, and cargo. It has to be seaworthy enough for the routes the yacht will sail an…