What is boat design?

Question

What is boat design?

Answer 1

It's what it says. Designing a boat that will float, giving it power of some sort, even if it's just oars, and having some way to steer it. Unless you're designing a submarine that's all you really need. This applies to rowboats, sailboats, or even ocean vessels like oil tankers.

Answer 2

"Design" is typically a knowlegable process of applying priortities and balance:

Faster? thinner? longer? wider? more space for people? for fuel? for an engine? turn quickly? go over waves smoothly? go through waves? cost? ease of use?

All of these will mean a different shape for the boat - which is then a balance of the different ideas.