by
Stuart M Roy
Naval Architect and Surveyor
Stuart M Roy
Naval Architect and Surveyor
YACHT & POWERCRAFT DESIGN SERVICES
After discussing the evolution of the current yacht design course over the last 30 years the article suggests that "it has come to be regarded as the best programme of its type anywhere". Citing the subsequent success of yacht designers such as Dubois, Dixon, Lombard, Stimson, Rogers, Ker, Frers (Jr) and many others who studied for diplomas or degrees at the Institute, the author justifies the considerable praise afforded to the course by quoting several top yacht designers from across the world.
Also mentioned are those who studied yacht design at SI but whose career paths have taken them into other parts of the small craft industry, including yacht measurement and rating, importing boats, brokerage, yachting journalism and producing television coverage of the sport.
Facilities described include the yacht design office with its rows of terminals running specialist hull design and analysis software, the extensive library containing the reports from more than 500 yacht design projects and the impressive towing tank which is also the subject of some excellent photographs by Patrick Eden.
These photographs can not be published here for copyright reasons, but my own photos, covering similar subjects are shown. As well as the general view of tank testing (above left), the pictures show the model store on the wall of the tank and examples of hulls of 9.5m yachts designed in 1982 and 2002 illustrating the design trends over two decades.
The contribution of the lecturing staff to the success of the students is acknowledged by those interviewed, with such comments as "the key to the understanding (of the concepts) lay with the staff" in general, and for "Stuart Roy, who after three decades of teaching the course remains endlessly fascinated by his subject". What a generous compliment!
Also mentioned are those who studied yacht design at SI but whose career paths have taken them into other parts of the small craft industry, including yacht measurement and rating, importing boats, brokerage, yachting journalism and producing television coverage of the sport.
Facilities described include the yacht design office with its rows of terminals running specialist hull design and analysis software, the extensive library containing the reports from more than 500 yacht design projects and the impressive towing tank which is also the subject of some excellent photographs by Patrick Eden.
These photographs can not be published here for copyright reasons, but my own photos, covering similar subjects are shown. As well as the general view of tank testing (above left), the pictures show the model store on the wall of the tank and examples of hulls of 9.5m yachts designed in 1982 and 2002 illustrating the design trends over two decades.
The contribution of the lecturing staff to the success of the students is acknowledged by those interviewed, with such comments as "the key to the understanding (of the concepts) lay with the staff" in general, and for "Stuart Roy, who after three decades of teaching the course remains endlessly fascinated by his subject". What a generous compliment!
“All at Sea” features Tank Testing Work
Before I started my own design business I had the most fantastic and unique job for 27 years - lecturing in yacht and small craft design at the Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University). In that time I was privileged to be the Course Supervisor of the Diploma in Yacht & Boat Design for 15 years and its successor, the BSc in Yacht & Small Craft Design, for 2 years.
These yacht design courses run by Southampton Institute were featured in some detail by journalist Kate Laven in her article "Tanked up at the Institute" which was published in the May 2002 issue of "All at Sea".
These yacht design courses run by Southampton Institute were featured in some detail by journalist Kate Laven in her article "Tanked up at the Institute" which was published in the May 2002 issue of "All at Sea".
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