From the Author
Fortunately, I have been able to work with boat owners, crew, boatyards, manufacturers, and custom builders, and all of them have been a rewarding experience, over a thirty year period We have learned from each other and from the problems that have occurred. These problems bring out questions from everyone, and surprisingly, the same questions are not heard twice.
This book will answer those design questions that everyone has and it will prove valuable to boat owners and all those interested in the marine business. The chapters are organized in the same order that a designer uses to approach the problems of a new design. Each phase of the design process is explained in minute detail so that every reader can see the procedure that designers use to achieve a successful boat.
New material included in this book has not been previously published and will prove to be valuable to practicing designers and to all the boating public. Speed predictions can be derived from new formula for fast hulls. In addition, a new formula has been developed for the design pressure on hull bottoms. Both formulas have been developed by the author. These are used with speeds to 50 knots (93 km/hr) and hull lengths to 120 feet (37m).
Very few designers enjoy the luxury of designing one type of boat: sail or power; commercial fisherman or sport fisherman; fast motor yacht or trawler yacht. Most designers must draw any type of hull in any material to be used in any operating area. There isn't any narrow area of design that applies only to sailboats, or fishing boats, or passenger ferries. Throughout this book, the principles of hull design are noted to apply to all types of vessels, both workboats and pleasure craft, in the same range of relative speed. It is only above the waterline where differences are apparent, depending on their function.
Formulas and mathematical relationships are given so that people interested in drawing a new design will have all the necessary data. But the mathematics are not complicated, and an inexpensive calculator is more than adequate. It need only show powers and roots of numbers.
As my experiences increase, I am continually amazed at the inventiveness of many designers and builders. I can't walk through a boat yard or a boat show without discovering a new technique, however small in the total concept of the hull. Many of these ideas are eventually printed in the boating magazines, greatly contributing to the improvement of the boating industry. I am deeply appreciative of these efforts and thank the many people who work toward better boats.
About the Author
Arthur Edmunds graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and completed his military service. After working at shipyards for a short time, he was a working designer for a leading boat manufacturer. He opened his design office in 1968 and has been busy ever since with a great variety of projects, not specializing in any type of boat or hull form. Repairs, re-building and engineering consultation have formed a large part of the design business. He believes in prowling boat repair yards where every problem in the world of boating is exposed for all to see and learn. Finding what goes wrong and what materials are best for a certain application is a very necessary part of a designer's portfolio.
He has crewed on ocean racing sailboats but also appreciates most people prefer to go maximum speed in powerboats. Successful designs have been completed for both manufacturers and individuals in all materials, and in all hull shapes. He has been residing in Florida since 1960 and now lives in Sarasota FL.
Everyone hears strange and funny anecdotes about boats and men and Edmunds has a few tales to tell. He was standing near a tall, muscular winch grinder at an after race party who was mesmerizing a sweet young thing. The girl said she was amazed the spinnaker was set so high and wondered how it was done. The grinder happily replied, "We use spray starch".
On one trip between Florida and the Bahamas, Edmunds came across a small power boat about 20 miles off shore. The two men said they were fine and declined a tow, and they were just fixing the engine. As the two boats drifted apart, their reply became harder to understand. But, that is another story.........
