BEng (Hons) Yacht Design and Production
Dream of designing race-winning yachts? This unique course, with an international reputation, has been designed alongside industry experts to deliver the skills you need.
Giles Barkley
CEng, MRINA, SFHEA
Course Leader
Department of Science and Engineering
Biography
Giles joined Solent University in 1991 and has been course developer and leader of the three yacht engineering-based degrees for many years.
He has a keen interest in hydrodynamics of sailing yachts and more recently his research includes reducing the carbon footprint of motor vessels. Subject specialisms include naval architecture, resistance and propulsion, sailing yacht design and performance, superyacht design and motor boat design.
Giles maintains close links across Europe with the yacht and commercial craft design and production industry via the hundreds of alumni he has taught. These links often enable graduates to find their first employment. Giles also ensures that suitable pedagogic methods are utilised across the degrees to ensure students are equipped with current design tools and skills so they are work ready on graduation.
Outside of the classroom, Giles races a Laser class dinghy and is also a keen photographer.
Further information
After graduating with a degree in Ship Science in 1986, Giles began his career as a trainee ship surveyor for Lloyds Register. After working as a surveyor in Southampton, Malta and Belfast, he was relocated to the London HQ, where he became a plan approval surveyor, specialising in structural design of Fibreglass yachts and small craft.
Since 1991, Giles has been employed at Solent University as a senior lecturer and course leader. While at Solent, Giles has been tow tank manager and has completed many resistance and propulsion consultancy jobs for well-known yacht design and commercial craft companies.
He has also completed consultancy work both abroad and in the UK and has designed five vessels, ranging from a 70-foot sailing catamaran, to a 2m remote-controlled planing craft for the environment agency. Giles has also completed consultancy work for a large UK motor boat design company and a French yacht design company.
Taught courses
BEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design
Plot a course for your engineering skills - specialise in naval architecture for power- and sail-craft. Solent’s highly regarded degree is taught by experienced marine architects and designers.
MSc Sustainable Marine Craft and Superyacht Design
Discover the latest techniques to develop new, sustainable superyacht and marine craft designs. Benefit from the combined expertise of our yacht engineering teaching team and Solent's Centre for Marine Sustainability to build your knowledge.
