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Master'sNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Master’s in Sail & Aero Design Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in sail design and aerodynamics engineering. 12 modules covering sail aerodynamics, sail geometry and design, sail materials, fluid-structure interaction, sail manufacturing, rigs, wing sails, aerodynamic simulation, experimental testing and performance optimisation, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand sail aerodynamics.

02

Design different types of sails.

03

Select sail materials.

04

Analyse fluid-structure interaction.

05

Size rigs and rigging.

06

Apply simulation and experimental testing.

07

Optimise sail inventories.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Sail designers.
  • Marine aerodynamics engineers.
  • Rig engineers.
  • Sail loft technicians.
  • CFD specialists interested in sailing applications.
  • Performance engineers in racing teams.
  • Engineering and science graduates seeking to join sail lofts.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing (rules governing sailing competition)
  • World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing (definitions and measurement of sailing equipment)
  • ORC Rules (Offshore Racing Congress rating and measurement)
  • ISO 12215-10 (small craft hull construction: rig loads and rig attachment)
  • ISO 12217-2 (small craft stability for sailing boats)
  • IRC Rules (IRC rating rule)
  • Sail Pack
  • Membrain
  • OpenFOAM
  • Rhinoceros 3D
  • Star-CCM+
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Potential flow and circulation theory
  2. 1.2Boundary layer on flexible surfaces
  3. 1.3Flow separation and stall
  4. 1.4Lift and drag of sails
  5. 1.5Wind gradient and twist
  6. 1.6Slot effect between sails
  7. 1.7Driving and heeling forces
  8. 1.8Sails upwind and downwind
  9. 1.9Dimensionless numbers in sail aerodynamics
  10. 1.10Workshop: calculating aerodynamic forces upwind
  1. 2.1Three-dimensional sail shape
  2. 2.2Depth, draft position and twist
  3. 2.3Mainsail design
  4. 2.4Genoa and jib design
  5. 2.5Symmetric spinnaker design
  6. 2.6Gennaker and code zero design
  7. 2.7Aspect ratio and planform
  8. 2.8Batten and roach design
  9. 2.9Sail design software
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: designing a mainsail with Sail Pack
  1. 3.1Polyester, aramid and carbon fibres
  2. 3.2UHMWPE fibres: Dyneema
  3. 3.3Woven cloths and laminates
  4. 3.4Oriented-fibre membranes
  5. 3.53Di sails and thermoforming
  6. 3.6UV resistance and ageing
  7. 3.7Dimensional stability and stretch
  8. 3.8Material selection by use
  9. 3.9Sustainable materials and recycling
  10. 3.10Laboratory: tensile test of a laminate
  1. 4.1Sail deformation under load
  2. 4.2Membrane analysis
  3. 4.3FSI coupling in sails
  4. 4.4Finite element models of membranes
  5. 4.5Corner load analysis
  6. 4.6Rigging load calculation
  7. 4.7Comparing design shapes and flying shapes
  8. 4.8Photogrammetry of sails under way
  9. 4.9FSI analysis tools
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: FSI of a jib with Membrain
  1. 5.1Sail lofts and production processes
  2. 5.2Cutting and joining panels
  3. 5.3Shape moulds for membranes
  4. 5.4Bonding and seams
  5. 5.5Reinforcements and corners
  6. 5.6Hardware and finishes
  7. 5.7Quality control
  8. 5.8Automated panel manufacturing
  9. 5.9Sail repair
  10. 5.10Case study: manufacturing process of a membrane sail
  1. 6.1Types of rig
  2. 6.2Aluminium and carbon masts
  3. 6.3Rod and fibre standing rigging
  4. 6.4Spreaders and their geometry
  5. 6.5Boom design
  6. 6.6Mast compression calculation
  7. 6.7Mast buckling and stability
  8. 6.8Rig sizing rules
  9. 6.9Rig tuning
  10. 6.10Workshop: sizing a mast according to the Nordic Boat Standard
  1. 7.1Rigid wings on multihulls
  2. 7.2Two-element wings
  3. 7.3Twist control in wings
  4. 7.4Wing construction
  5. 7.5Wings in the America's Cup and SailGP
  6. 7.6Double-skin mainsails
  7. 7.7Applications on merchant ships
  8. 7.8Flettner rotor sails
  9. 7.9Wings for wind-assisted propulsion
  10. 7.10Case study: rigid wing versus soft sail comparison
  1. 8.1RANS CFD for sails
  2. 8.2Meshing sails and rigs
  3. 8.3Turbulence models
  4. 8.4Multi-sail simulation
  5. 8.5Heel and pitch effects
  6. 8.6Panel and vortex methods
  7. 8.7Transient simulation of manoeuvres
  8. 8.8Validation against experimental data
  9. 8.9Automated optimisation of sail shapes
  10. 8.10Laboratory: CFD of a rig with OpenFOAM
  1. 9.1Wind tunnels for sails
  2. 9.2Twisted-flow wind tunnels
  3. 9.3Pressure measurement
  4. 9.4Instrumented full-scale sails
  5. 9.5Photogrammetry and shape measurement
  6. 9.6Force dynamometers
  7. 9.7On-the-water testing
  8. 9.8Correlation between testing and simulation
  9. 9.9Test facilities
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: pressure analysis on an instrumented sail
  1. 10.1Aerodynamic drag of the hull
  2. 10.2Crew effect
  3. 10.3Fairings and decks
  4. 10.4Aerodynamics of foiling multihulls
  5. 10.5Ground effect and platforms
  6. 10.6Aerodynamics of rigging and lines
  7. 10.7Reducing parasitic drag
  8. 10.8Sailing yacht balance
  9. 10.9Centre of effort and centre of lateral resistance
  10. 10.10Workshop: estimating parasitic drag of the rig
  1. 11.1Integration into a VPP
  2. 11.2Sail inventory under class rules
  3. 11.3Sail crossover charts
  4. 11.4Sail trimming under way
  5. 11.5Shape data analysis
  6. 11.6Inventory optimisation
  7. 11.7Cost versus performance analysis
  8. 11.8Sail durability
  9. 11.9Design for one-design classes
  10. 11.10Case study: sail inventory for an ocean race
  1. 12.1Definition of the rig and its use
  2. 12.2Sail shape design
  3. 12.3Material selection
  4. 12.4Aerodynamic analysis of the sail plan
  5. 12.5FSI structural analysis
  6. 12.6Rig and rigging design
  7. 12.7Performance assessment
  8. 12.8Sail design conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme can be combined with full-time work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Sail Pack, Membrain, OpenFOAM, Rhinoceros 3D, Star-CCM+, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is studied on real procedures for wind tunnel testing, sail shape analysis and rig sizing. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing, World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing, ORC Rules, ISO 12215-10, ISO 12217-2, IRC Rules.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing, the World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing and the ORC Rules applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Sail Pack, Membrain, OpenFOAM, Rhinoceros 3D, Star-CCM+, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete sail plan and rig design, from sail shapes and materials to aerodynamic, FSI and performance analysis, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Mainsail design
Design a mainsail with Sail Pack.
Membrane FSI analysis
Run a fluid-structure interaction analysis of a jib with Membrain.
Mast sizing
Size a mast according to the Nordic Boat Standard.
Rig CFD simulation
Simulate the aerodynamics of a rig with OpenFOAM.
Master's Thesis
A complete sail plan and rig design, from sail shapes and materials to aerodynamic, FSI and performance analysis, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Sail designerMarine aerodynamics engineerRig engineerSail loft technicianCFD specialistPerformance engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Sail Pack, Membrain, OpenFOAM, Rhinoceros 3D, Star-CCM+, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme's software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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