Abstract
In recent years, some ocean yacht races had experienced disasters in which several entries suffered capsizing and results in the loss of lives. From this reality, it is pointed out now that there is a possibility of overlooking of survivability of latest sailing yachts.
The aim of this research is to ascertain whether such drawback is common to the latest yacht design or not. For this purpose, the authors attempt to develop a database of principal dimensions of yacht hulls, sails and rigging since 1940s. The total number of yachts used here is more than 500.
This database clearly indicates an obvious tendency in transition of yacht design from safer to faster.
