Yacht Design Degree

Continue reading if you want to learn everything you need to know about Yacht design with the right educational qualification.

This degree will provide you with the necessary technical and professional skills and knowledge on how to apply methods, tools and techniques to designing and manufacturing marine vessels. The areas you will deal with would include the following:

• Designing
• Planning and Scheduling
• Materials
• Production
• Complex System Management
• Training

Students will be taught the engineering science behind great designs, along with the foundational principles of naval architecture, methods of construction and high-tech reinforced materials. In addition to that, they will also learn how to effectively plan the designing and production of racing yachts, RIBs, cruising yachts, commercial crafts, motor yachts and patrol boats.

Students will be exposed to practical examples and assignments to give them valuable hands-on experience, workshop experience and design applications. This kind of experience will help them deal with complex production materials and methods.

Associate’s Degree in Yacht Design

This 2-year long degree will teach you the fundamental concepts of designing marine vessels. It will help you grasp a basic understanding of the elements of design, material selection, planning and production. Typical courses that you might take during the course of this degree would include the following:

• Yacht construction methods
• 2D and 3D computer-aided design models
• Sailing techniques
• Nautical science
• Aesthetics in yacht design
• Yacht construction machinery and equipment

Bachelor’s Degree in Yacht Design

This 4-year long degree would require at least a high school diploma or equivalent for admission. Students in this program would be taught the complexities of naval architecture and everything associated with it. This would include matters such as ships for speed, appearance and seaworthiness. A course in marine engineering would focus on the mechanics behind ship building and operations. Some colleges offer comprehensive marine technology degrees that include courses which would teach students about the power systems, controls, electrical systems and applied mechanics. Other topics covered could include stability factors, ship propulsion and resistance.

Typical classes offered in a bachelor’s degree in yacht design would include the following:

• Ship dynamics
• Marine propulsion
• Curved surface design
• Marine engines
• Ship hull strength
• Structural analysis
• Naval Architecture
• Small Craft Structures
• Marine Materials
• Marine Production
• Computer Aided Design
• Motor Boat Design
• Sailing Yacht Design
• Yacht Surveying
• Marine Systems Technology

However, note that the course structure would vary from college to college. Some colleges might offer all of these courses at the bachelor’s level, while some might offer only basic, fundamental courses at this degree level. Please check the program outline in great detail before signing on for the program with a particular institution.

Master’s Degree in Yacht Design

A 2-year long master’s degree would expose you to the technical concepts involved in Yacht design. It will help you understand in-depth theoretical and scientific aspects of engineering which assist in the identification and solving of complex problems. The degree will enable you to plan, invent, design and manage complicated innovative systems and processes used in the marine industry. After completing this program, you would ideally be able to design and manage experiments of high complexity with a focus on specific business outcomes.

Typical courses you might study in this program include the following:

• Motor Yacht Design
• Mathematical Physics
• Yacht Design and Stability Dynamics
• Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning
• Ship Propulsion Plants
• Ship Structures
• Marine Numerical Hydrodynamics

You will also need to submit a well-researched thesis and might be given the opportunity to complete an internship in the relevant field. The internship placement may be handled by the university, though in some cases you may need to look for the opportunity on your own.

To apply to a master’s program in this field, you will need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Some universities might even require experience. Letters of recommendation and minimum GPA requirement will also have to be taken care of by applicants. Most universities would require you to submit your GRE scores as well, along with your official transcripts. Make sure you check the admission criteria in detail, for the university you want to apply in.

Careers with a Yacht Design Degree

Depending on the level of your degree, you should be able to find good employment opportunities in this industry. With an associate degree, you may work in the following settings:

• Boat production facilities
• Naval architecture firms
• Marine inspection firms
• Sail lofts

With a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to find employment in the following settings:

• Yacht production yards
• Equipment design
• Naval architecture
• Project management
• Equipment design and manufacture
• Technical management of new construction projects

With a master’s degree, you can look into the following:

• Shipyards for manufacturing and repairing boats
• Operators in the luxury yacht sector
• Professional design or survey studios
• Research institutes
• Classification societies and surveyor bodies

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the following career statistics for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects. Have a look:

The career opportunities are growing in this field and therefore it would be a good time to invest in a Yacht Design degree.