Answer to Frequently Asked Questions

The “Science of Sailing” books – further intentions and plans – Note by Peter

The four-available Science of Sailing books have received considerable publicity. Naval architects, scientists, students, libraries, and sailors from all over the world have ordered the books. On noting that I spent considerable time in 2020-2021 in writing The Experiment, Crash and Burn, and Removal of the President, described elsewhere on this site, I have received questions from several people about the availability of future parts of the series. I have informed them that I am yet to take a decision in this regard. I firmly believe in finishing something that I started, even if it is something that requires years to do. So, the simple answer to this question is to consider the three novels as an interlude in the writing of the Science of Sailing books. I wish life were that simple. The fact of the matter is that I enjoyed writing the novels much more than I enjoyed writing the last of the scientific books. But, as people around me have said, I should now be spending time to find a publisher interested in my novels before venturing in that direction again. I will therefore recommence the writing of Part 5 of The Science of Sailing before doing anything else.

Review of ‘The Science of Sailing Books’ – Note by Peter

I have received questions from various students wanting to become a yacht designer or a naval architect about how the four Science of Sailing books need to be viewed in relation to books with a seemingly similar subject, such as the books written by Marchaj, Larsson, Fossati, and others. This question was raised when the students involved were trying to determine whether they should buy the five books or not. The financial outlay is obviously not a minor issue for most.

The question of how these books are related to other books was addressed in a review by Associate Professor Michael G. Morabito of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he is the director of the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering program. The review was published in  ‘Marine Technology’, the magazine issued four times per year by The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. It is included below in its entirety.

In addition to the information about the cost of the books, as can be found on www.vanoossanenacademy.nl, we will apply a discount of 50% on orders received from students that can provide evidence of their enrollment at a college or university offering a degree in yacht design, naval architecture, marine engineering, or marine science.