The classic primer for the boat buyer, amateur builder, and beginning yacht designer. If one boat has a round bottom and another's is veed, what difference does it make in the way they perform? What are the advantages of a cutter rig over a sloop? Why does one sailor swear by a full keel, while another won't have anything but a fin keel? Why does one powerboat have more flare in its topsides than another? And what is flare? Why do some hull shapes look "right"? How big an engine and propeller will it take to move that powerboat. What elements make a boat safe, or comfortable? If you're a new boating enthusiast, or even if you've been at it a while, there are scores of burning questions like these. Understanding Boat Design has been the place to look for quick, uncomplicated answers since 1971. Founder of the Yacht Design Institute, a highly respected designer for more than 30 years, and a frequent contributor to SAIL, Cruising World, and other magazines, Ted Brewer has again revised his classic primer. This new volume has been greatly expanded and almost completely rewritten, and it contains information on many aspects of design that were not even through of 20 years ago. Understanding Boat Design has eased tens of thousands of traders into the complex world of small-craft design. It is ideal introduction for backyard boatbuilders, students of boat design, or someone looking to buy a first boat.