Elements of Yacht Design

By Norman L. Skene
Introduction by Maynard Bray

Excerpted from Royal Naval Sailing Association Journal, Autumn 2002:

“Skene runs through many of the formulae used in yacht design, and their underlying principles. For the non-mathematician, it makes one realize how far off the mark most of our boats are. Buy this book and put your own boat’s measurements into the formula. You will wonder how ever she stayed upright or went to windward.

“Whilst being a useful technical reference book on classic yacht design, this book is essential reading for those who want to make a meaningful contribution to the rig debate.”

Cruising, Summer 2002:

"A little gem, first published in 1904 which, in these days of standard hulls, fills a much felt gap in our knowledge. We know so little about hull lines that it is really valuable to have at hand what is a standard work of reference. There are bits that no longer apply but the principles of hull design and what keeps a yacht going in heavy weather and light are intensely satisfying — the more so as we no longer for the most part commission an architect to design a yacht and watch its construction.

"An absorbing and classic work, well worth the effort to assimilate."

Excerpted from Sailing & Yachting, January 2002:

“This book, in spite of its age, is acknowledged to be one of the best on yacht design ever written. It’s history is as interesting as its contents. First published in 1904, there were many revisions, the last in 1938, which is reprinted here in its original form.

“The writing is concise. But then it is a technical reference book and, even allowing for time-saving modern computer-assisted design methods, it remains undated because the principles of engineering and maths have remained the same. It is a publication for a designer, or a book collector.”

Good Old Boat, November/December 2001:

“A good overview of small craft design with many useful formulae: propellers, shafts, rudder stocks, masts and rigs, etc.”