Designer services

YDSA Designer Members are qualified professionals, frequently with a qualification as a naval architect or a chartered engineer, with good knowledge of the industry and appropriate experience. A Full Designer Member of the YDSA is therefore a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner of small craft design from whom high professional standards can be expected. The definition of "small craft" is broad, and can range from dinghies to superyachts. Designers generally work with both power and sailing vessels.

The main types of work undertaken by designers are as follows:

• Design of new vessels to owners' or builders' specific requirements
• Design for repair or modification of existing vessels
• Preparation of contract documents
• Preparation of specification and tender documents
• Assessing tenders, proposed builders and their facilities
• Preparation of detailed construction drawings
• Inspection of work in progress
• Authorisation of stage payments during build of vessel
• Sea trials attendance and analysis
• Analysis of intact and damaged stability
• Structural analysis and advice on structural deficiencies
• Analysis of powering and propeller matching
• Spars and rig analysis
• Assessment of noise and vibration
• Advice on compliance with regulations including Classification Society rules, MCA Codes of Practice and EU Recreational Craft Directive ISO standards

YDSA Designer members are able to advise both owners and builders on technical problems related to design matters and their solutions, and may also act as mediator, arbitrator or expert witness in design-related disputes.

Members specialise in different areas, and will be pleased to discuss your requirements.