Boat Design Forums

  1. Design

    1. Boat Design

      Discuss boat design concepts, projects, plans, reviews, resources, and general design topics.
      Discussions:
      15,197
      Messages:
      230,305
      Latest: Twin I/O to Twin Outboard Conversion Project tpenfield, Jan 21, 2026 at 5:25 AM
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    2. Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics

      Technical discussion on fluid dynamics: theory and analysis.
      Discussions:
      1,052
      Messages:
      23,828
      Latest: Semi balanced wing sail pivot axis placement DogCavalry, Jan 21, 2026 at 4:05 PM
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    3. Stability

      Discuss stability issues and calculations, power and sail.
      Discussions:
      1,025
      Messages:
      16,904
      Latest: Sail Switch From Marconi to Balanced Lug on 24'Catamaran seasquirt, Jan 18, 2026 at 3:34 PM
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    4. Class Societies

      Scantling Rules, updates and discussion on Society Classification: Lloyds, ABS, DNV, ISO ...
      Discussions:
      418
      Messages:
      4,773
      Latest: Structural stiffness related to material and scantling rules william stokes, Jan 8, 2026
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    5. Powerboats

      Discuss production and custom powerboats and powerboat design.
      Discussions:
      2,715
      Messages:
      29,211
      Latest: New build coming soon Cajunpockettunnel, Jan 20, 2026 at 6:40 PM
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    6. Propulsion

      Discuss marine engines, drives, and propulsion systems.
      Discussions:
      6,078
      Messages:
      72,075

      1. Props

      2. Surface Drives

      3. Jet Drives

      4. Outboards

      5. Sterndrives

      6. Pod Drives

      7. Inboards

      8. Diesel Engines

      9. Gas Engines

      10. Electric Propulsion

      11. Hybrid

      12. DIY Marinizing

      Latest: Seeking an engineer to design a rotatable pod Stephen, Jan 20, 2026 at 11:25 AM
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    7. Motorsailers

      Discuss monohull and multihull motorsailers and motorsailer design.
      Discussions:
      160
      Messages:
      4,019
      Latest: CS Hull Sailing Performance? brian eiland, Jan 17, 2026 at 4:43 PM
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    8. Sailboats

      Discuss monohull sailboat design, production and custom monohull sailboats.
      Discussions:
      4,519
      Messages:
      83,017
      Latest: Harry Bryans sloop Katie John S, Jan 21, 2026 at 2:23 PM
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    9. Multihulls

      Discuss multi-hull sailboat design, production and custom sailing catamarans and trimarans.
      Discussions:
      3,395
      Messages:
      90,673
      Latest: Daggerboards, Centerboards, mini Keels on Catamarans brian eiland, Jan 21, 2026 at 10:39 AM
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    10. OnBoard Electronics & Controls

      Discuss onboard mechanical, hydraulic, and electric control systems, monitoring, navigation, communication, systems integration and onboard computer systems.
      Discussions:
      884
      Messages:
      11,104
      Latest: New powercat build on Youtube for tech nerds Eurosnob, Dec 27, 2025
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    11. Software

      Discuss marine design software: hull design, fairing, modeling, rendering, and CNC.
      Discussions:
      3,151
      Messages:
      25,383

      1. General Computing

      Latest: FreeCAD + Gene-Hull for 3D Hull Generator Matleyx, Jan 19, 2026 at 12:02 PM
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  2. Collaboration

    1. Option One

      Collaborative design of a power cruiser: trailerable, 300 mile range, economical at cruise & displacement speeds.
      Discussions:
      67
      Messages:
      1,727
      Latest: Cool trailerable boat parkland, Jan 9, 2015
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    2. Projects & Proposals

      An open forum to generate ideas for collaborative design projects.
      Discussions:
      451
      Messages:
      8,753
      Latest: Electric Launch Design optimized for semi-displacement speeds Stephen Ditmore, Nov 28, 2025
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  3. Construction

    1. Boatbuilding

      Discuss boatbuilding projects, methods, plans & kits, ask questions, and share your experiences.
      Discussions:
      11,014
      Messages:
      136,169

      1. Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building

      2. Metal Boat Building

      3. Wooden Boat Building and Restoration

      4. Electrical Systems

      Latest: Sea Sled madness. It’s in my brain. DogCavalry, Jan 21, 2026 at 3:48 PM
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    2. Materials

      Discuss boatbuilding materials: composites, woods, metals, plastics, and finishes.
      Discussions:
      3,031
      Messages:
      32,461
      Latest: Replacing foam buoyancy CL16 dinghy gonzo, Jan 21, 2026 at 12:25 PM
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    3. Marketplace

      Boatbuilding materials, tools, equipment, molds, tooling and custom projects for sale or trade.
      Discussions:
      2,937
      Messages:
      13,269

      1. Boat Molds

      Latest: Incredible prop shaft driven bilge pump - Amazing volume pumped FLCapt, Jan 20, 2026 at 8:14 AM
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  4. Employment and Education

    1. Education

      Discuss schools and programs of Naval Architecture and Yacht Design and entry paths into a boat design career.
      Discussions:
      908
      Messages:
      6,490
      Latest: Faculty positions CDBarry, Jan 15, 2026 at 3:33 PM
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    2. Services & Employment

      Post positions available and marine design and boatbuilding services offered.
      Discussions:
      1,883
      Messages:
      6,476
      Latest: Best Florida region for long-term boatbuilding workforce? Jeandupont, Oct 3, 2025
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  5. Community

    1. All Things Boats & Boating

      Enjoy friendly conversation with other forum members and boaters on marine-related topics, boats, and boating in general.
      Discussions:
      4,300
      Messages:
      142,478

      1. Press Releases

      2. Wiki Archive

      3. Forum Questions and Suggestions

      4. Post-Tsunami

      Latest: Bulky shipment for a 30 ft boat BlueBell, Jan 21, 2026 at 1:37 PM
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