Providing practical advice on hull shape, engines, construction methods, steering systems, comfort and safety, this text is an ideal introduction to small powerboats, 18 to 30 feet long, from the perspective of use.

Set to become the bible for powerboat owners and operators for years to come, this long overdue analysis and review of modern powerboat design and operation explores how powerboats have developed, why, and how design impacts on control and performance. Every aspect of the powerboat's design is considered individually and as part of the whole. Different hull designs, including multihull and foiling craft, are assessed for their benefits and drawbacks. Engine types (whether petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid) and their influence on performance are examined and the nature and impact of different propulsion systems and driving controls is also discussed. All factors that influence operation are featured, from how to optimise performance in varied sea conditions, matching speed to sea state, as well as tackling various common and uncommon scenarios (from driving into an inlet to coping with tidal races and harbour manoeuvring) as well as issues relating to crew safety. Dag Pike is the world-renowned guru on powerboats. For this book he has attracted contributions from many of the top international powerboat designers, providing a wealth of expert knowledge and specialist insights about modern powerboats. The sum of their knowhow makes this book a gem of acquired knowledge, and as such will be essential for all powerboat owners, operators and designers, whether in the leisure, commercial or military sector, and it will help ensure all prospective owners get the right boat for their requirements.

Principles of Yacht Design has established itself as the standard book on the subject for practising designers, naval architecture students, discerning boat owners as well as the boatbuilding industry as a whole. The fifth edition is completely revised and expanded. It examines every aspect of the process of yacht and powerboat design. The new edition includes new findings from recent research in aero and hydrodynamics, as well as covering the most recent changes to building standards. The authors have used a newly built 41-foot performance cruiser to demonstrate the practical application of yacht design theory. This new edition includes photos of the building process and detailed explanations.

800 pages, 435 illustrations, 94 photographs, index. Handy, fact-filled new boating guide offers, how-to-do-it information and reference facts, figures, formulas, graphs, and tables about boating in a book small enough (about 3 x 5 x 1) to fit in your pocket. This book is for everyone who wants to enjoy being a better, safer, and more responsible boater. If you are new to boating this book is filled with information you need to know. If you are an experienced boater this book can act as a great reference and memory jogger.

High Performance Marine Vessels (HPMVs) range from the Fast Ferries to the latest high speed Navy Craft, including competition power boats and hydroplanes, hydrofoils, hovercraft, catamarans and other multi-hull craft. High Performance Marine Vessels covers the main concepts of HPMVs and discusses historical background, design features, services that have been successful and not so successful, and some sample data of the range of HPMVs to date. Included is a comparison of all HPMVs craft and the differences between them and descriptions of performance (hydrodynamics and aerodynamics). Readers will find a comprehensive overview of the design, development and building of HPMVs.

Sorensen’s Guide to Powerboats schools readers in the principles of powerboat design, construction, and performance. It acquaints readers with all the major powerboat types over 20 feet, explaining what each type does well or poorly and what to look for in each. Also includes more than 100 rigorous, unbiased technical reviews of new and used boat models and shorter reviews of 200 more.

A great designer offers you a virtuoso tour through the world of sailboats Bob Perry initiated the trend toward fast voyaging sailboats with his world-famous Valiant 40, which has been in production longer than any other cruising sailboat in history. But Perry is not only a leading yacht designer--he is also an accomplished wordsmith whose blunt, insightful, irreverent, and always entertaining boat reviews have captivated readers of Sailing magazine for 24 years. This book is vintage Perry, a no-holds-barred tour of the world of yacht design through the benchmark boats of his 30-year career.

Provides a guide to boating, including such topics as knot tying, using charts, radio communications, equipping a powerboat, and engine maintenance.