WoodenBoat Review, January/February 1999
The basics of yacht design and then some; intended for the serious sailor seeking a better understanding, with emphasis on modern yachts and principles; clear, concise drawings and diagrams.

Blue Water Sailing, November/December 1998
This is perhaps the most useful book on sailboat design since Ted Brewer's delightfully readable "Understanding Boat Design"...Killing's text is supported by terrific artwork on every page guaranteed to make the learning process as visual as it is cerebral....The next time your eyes glaze over three paragraphs into yet another technical boat review, reach over and grab this little nugget. It works better than Visine.

Book Description
At last, sailboat design explained in a way that all boat owners can understand and put to use. The first guide to design aimed at every sailor, Yacht Design Explained uses state-of-the-art graphics, dynamic charts and photographs, and clear explanations to show what makes hulls, keels, ballast, rudders, foils, masts, and sails work. It reveals why certain designs perform well and others fail. The authors examine a range of boats, from a 14-foot dinghy to a 40-foot cruiser, from a catamaran to an offshore singlehander. They break through the often confusing physics of yacht design to provide an understanding that sailors can use to get the most out of their time afloat.

About the author
Yacht designer Steve Killing has participated in four America's Cup campaigns. Writer and graphic designer Douglas Hunter is a former editor of Canadian Yachting magazine. They both live in Ontario, Canada.