Seaworthiness : The Forgotten Factor [Hardcover]

C. A. Marchaj (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 1996

Newly updated and revised, this critical analysis examines how the search for racing-yacht performance has led to the development of sailing yachts with potentially dangerous seakeeping characteristics. Based upon the highest degree of practical and academic research, it demonstrates how modern yacht design often sacrifices safety for speed and other considerations, and it maintains that dramatic changes in design philosophy are needed to prevent further loss of life at sea. This is a major work that will help change the thinking on popular design trends for both racing and cruising yachts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For the first time we are offered logical scientific criteria which help us to assess the seaworthiness of (a) boat. -- Practical Boat Owner

The most important work...that has appeared in the English language since the author's magisterial AeroHydrodynamics of Sailing...first class -- The Little Ship

About the Author

Tony Marchaj is a former research fellow in the department of aeronautics and astronautics at Southampton University and is now an independent aerodynamics consultant whose ability and advice are sought throughout the world. He is involved in many different research projects, ranging from 12-meter rig design to third-world fishing fleets.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 372 pages
• Publisher: Tiller Publishing; 2nd Edition edition (April 4, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888671092
• ISBN-13: 978-1888671094
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 7.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A daunting but important classic., October 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Seaworthiness: The Forgotten Factor (Hardcover)

"Seaworthiness" is a daunting but important classic.

Tony Marchaj, an avid sailor and independent aerodynamics consultant, theorizes that the "increased casualities amongst contemporary yachts" is due to modern sailing yacht design, which, he feels, often sacrifices safety speed.

In this book, the author attempts to objectively consider "the design features" which contribute to a sailing yacht truly being seaworthy.

Though the equations are kept to a minimum, they are still there, and--to my poor mind, at least--they are forminable. But Marchaj does a fine job of not only helping you to intuitively grasp the nature of whatever he's speaking about, he uses numerous of graphs.

Also, he offers lots of literary quotes and allusions. This certainly helps those of us who have a more literary bent, but who also revel in the beauty of boats and the sea.

Some of the book's chapters include "Seaworthiness and Safety at Sea," "The Effect of Rating Rules on Yacht Design," "Rolling Induced by Waves," and the very helpful "Survival Tactics" (which includes a section on "Strategy of Sailing in Storm Conditions").

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book takes your basic intuition and applies physics, October 1, 2001

By 

Phineas Sprague, Jr. (Cape Elizabeth, Me USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seaworthiness : The Forgotten Factor (Hardcover)

This book is an absolute must for anyone who loves boats more than they have good sense. If you are a cruiser or a racer or a bar stool sealawyer who has any experience at sea, reading this book will lead you step by step from prejudice and intuition into solid insights into the behavior and performance of the different hull shapes in the real world of "at sea" in difficult situations. There is no substitute for "the experience" except the experience to recognise and avoid the experience and this book is every bit as important in picking a boat for your use or applying good seamanship to a boat that is on the edge of it's design envelope. The book contains the fundimental information that should be in any serious sailor's kit. It reads easily and the insights emphasise the seaworthiness vs speed delemma in yacht design.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unemotional, realistic view of boats and behaviors., November 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Seaworthiness: The Forgotten Factor (Hardcover)

Many people buy boats to satisfy the dream. They are lured by Madison Avenue pitch and the shiney waterbago down the dock. A must read for a studied consideration of an offshore boat for serious cruising.