As stated in the introduction, “This book is short and simple.” Ian Nicholson has taken the complex concepts and principles of yacht design and reduced them to some very basic rules of thumb. Novice designers can start designing quickly and easily with a clear, yet simplified understanding of subjects like stability, speed and powering. Boat owners who want to make modifications to their current hull, rig, deck layout or interior will find the chapters on alterations invaluable. Boat buyers will appreciate understanding the underlying principles of how much a boat will cost and the impact changes may have on a design. “Understanding Yacht Design” packs a lot of punch for a small book. A good place to start for those exploring the idea of designing a boat.