Seaworthiness : The Forgotten Factor

Rating:
Summary: A daunting but important classic.
Review: "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").

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: It pickups where others have left off. If you want to understand what effects a boats motion and stability in a seaway, buy this book. It is not a light read, but is well worth the effort.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: It pickups where others have left off. If you want to understand what effects a boats motion and stability in a seaway, buy this book. It is not a light read, but is well worth the effort.

Rating:
Summary: An unemotional, realistic view of boats and behaviors.
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: This book takes your basic intuition and applies physics
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: those who want and/or need to know, must have this one
Review: This is just one of the many Mr. Marchaj has written on boat design theory. Yacht must look good and be safe ( read seaworthy). In some instances it must also perform. Performance has no value if it can't handle the challange of the seas. "Seaworthiness, the forgotten factor" disects yacht safety down to most intricate detail. Simply, if you haven't read this book, you don't know it all. An absolute 5 star publication, written with great authority, by one of the most respected in the field. Check out Marchaj's other work as well, he never disappoints.