YACHT & POWERCRAFT DESIGN SERVICES

REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SMALL CRAFT by Stuart M Roy,   ECO-BOAT 1997

Throughout the evolution of the modern motor boat the driving force has generally been the need to provide such features as greater speed, more carrying capacity, larger accommodation space, better operability and easier handling, all with low initial, maintenance and running costs.  But, in this evolutionary process, a number of fundamental principles which could have provided a more environmentally-friendly final product, have been neglected.  Previously considered to be uneconomical or unsatisfactory, these ideas may prove to be acceptable in a society of changing values and priorities.  With a growing interest in reducing the environmental impact of small craft on inland waterways, it is now time to reconsider various proposals and ideas in a new light.  It is possible that earlier concepts could be redeveloped using modern materials and production processes to the benefit of the boating environment.

GETTING STARTED IN "CADAP" - THE CHALLENGE FOR SMALL COMPANIES by Stuart M Roy,  RINA 1995

In industries such as yacht and boat building, which were until relatively recently predominantly traditional craft-based operations, the application of computer technologies for Computer Aided Design and Production, implemented right across the design-to-manufacture operation, can bring significant benefits, provided that a number of difficulties can be overcome.  These are not solely technical problems, but relate to operational and commercial aspects, as well as the structure of the industry.  This paper examines some of the issues thought to be significant for yacht and small craft companies where managers are contemplating the implementation of computer systems.  Certain aspects of the design-build process are identified as being particularly suitable for "computerization" and a distributed local area network arrangement is proposed for a cost-effective implementation, linking design, construction and manufacturing management with a common database.  Various approaches to the management of the implementation process are considered and then compared with the routes to technical development being pursued by companies in the industry.  An attempt is made to identify the prerequisites for a successful CADAP implementation in operations involving the design and production of yachts and small craft.  The paper concludes by looking at the difficult position faced by the many very small companies involved in yacht and small craft production and suggests a number of options to enable them to gain genuine benefits from the application of computer-based technologies.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE MODERN WATERJET MARINE PROPULSION UNIT by Stuart M Roy, RINA 1994

The evolution of the modern waterjet propulsion unit is traced from a patent granted in 1661, through various subsequent configurations and applications, towards the technically advanced systems that propel current high-speed craft.  The availability of steam power brought about the first successful full-size application by Rumsey in 1787, but monopolies granted to rivals prevented further progress.  Ruthven's hydraulic propulsion patent of 1839, based on a centrifugal pump, was installed in numerous craft over sixty years, often with trials data being published.  Energy-burst systems, first invented in the eighteenth century, have an appealing elegance of principle and could produce a waterjet system free from rotating components.  Flush-fitting bottom-mounted units, as pioneered by Gill and by Hotchkiss earlier this century, are particularly suitable for extremely shallow water or sailing craft, a market now dominated by Schottel.  In the 1950s Hamilton introduced the stern-mounted waterjet, at best in high speed applications.  Manufacturer-led developments have followed, with efficient, cost-effective systems being produced for various types of fast craft from recreational sports boats to 1000 tonne car ferries.  The idea of a waterjet outboard motor has recently been resurrected, whilst jet propelled personal watercraft, capable of very exciting performance, have sold in substantial numbers.  Future possibilities in an expanding market include exhaust gas injection and more sophisticated digital control systems, as well as incremental improvements to impellers, inlets and bearings.  

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