Non-Accredited | Yacht Design

IYRS School of Technology & Trades introduces yacht design for those looking to build their design skills while surrounded by a world-renowned sailing destination.

Yacht Design at IYRS text with sailboat blueprint and CAD

 

Yacht Design | 9 month program | Meets Monday through Friday, 8:30-5 | Starts September 9

Who is this class for?

This non-accredited program is ideal for individuals looking to launch a career in the marine industry, with pathways to entry-level roles in yacht design firms and technical design offices.

At IYRS, students learn from experienced design educators, work through a time-tested sequence of professional design projects, and draw upon the resources of one of the nation's premier maritime libraries.

Located in Newport, the Sailing Capital of the World, students are immersed in a community shaped by world-class racing, innovative yacht builders, renowned designers, and a vibrant waterfront economy. The result is a uniquely authentic educational experience that connects design theory with the people, vessels, and industries shaping the future of the marine world.

Program Details

  • Location: Classes will be held in Restoration Hall on the IYRS School of Technology & Trades Campus, 449 Thames Street, Newport, RI.
  • For more information, and to express your interest in the program, please fill out the form on the right. The selection process will run from now until the class is full or August 31, 2026. 
  • Requirements: Applicants should be comfortable working with algebra, geometry, and spreadsheets.

Scholarship Opportunities

Please note that this class is non-accredited and therfore does not qualify for federal funding. However, we believe in and are so confident in our curriculum that IYRS will match FAFSA-calculated financial need for all students. Limited scholarship opportunities are also available! 

Other Marine Industry Opportunities

Our full-time (20‑month) Boatbuilding & Restoration program is eligible for federal funding.

Marine Systems is a six-month program that teaches all the systems you would find on a small-medium recreational vessel. 

Relocating to Newport to attend IYRS

Looking to relocate to Rhode Island for the program? Here are some resources for those considering housing options in Newport and surrounding locations. 

Ready to apply?

Apply Now!

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About the Yacht Design Curriculum

Below are topics that will be covered in the Non-Accredited Yacht Design Program at IYRS

  • Yacht Design Principles
  • Naval Architecture Fundamentals
  • Marine Mechanical Systems
  • Materials & Boatbuilding Methods
  • Technical Drawing & CAD Modeling
  • Design Tools & Project Management
  • Powerboat Design
  • Sailboat Design
  • Marine Electrical Systems
  • Small Craft Structures & Scantlings
  • Advanced CAD & 3D Modeling
  • Professional Design Practices
  • Capstone Yacht Design Project
  • Career Readiness & Professional Development
  • Industry Externship or Independent Learning Project (ILP)
IYRS Faculty in front of step and repeat

About your instructor, Roland Saucier

Roland brings more than 25 years of experience in design and construction, with a career that spans both the U.S. and Europe.

For 15 years, Roland worked across Europe on a range of high-profile projects, including contributions to Team Germany’s America’s Cup Challenge. His work has taken him to leading design offices in Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

Earlier in his career, Roland contributed to notable projects such as the schooner Amistad with Tri-Coastal Marine and a 48-meter superyacht with Pedrick Yacht Designs. He also has hands-on experience in traditional craftsmanship, including the restoration of the 8-meter class yacht Angelita in Camden, Maine.

Roland is a graduate of The Landing School, where he earned an associate’s degree through the Wooden Boatbuilding and Yacht Design programs. 

When he's not working, Roland enjoys taking in the natural beauty found in coastal New England.

 

IYRS’s new Yacht Design School will be the only full-curriculum, first-year program for small craft design in the United States. Being on campus with the rest of IYRS’s Design and Technology programs exposes students to a broad range of boat building, yacht service trades, and modern engineering. With many boatbuilding and service yards within Rhode Island and nearby, IYRS’s students have opportunities to learn about regional marine businesses, with potential for internships and future employment. The boatbuilding industry requires in-house design and technical personnel. IYRS’s Yacht Design program will give students a strong foundation for entering the boatbuilding profession and considering further education in naval architecture.

- David Pedrick, President, Pedrick Yacht Designs, Inc., 

IN 2021, NEWSWEEK NAMED IYRS A BEST MAKER SCHOOL IN THE WORLD

Newsweek named IYRS one of the Best Maker Schools in the world for 2021. Winners of this award are institutions of higher education that have curricula that encourages learning by doing; are supported by educators committed to collaborative problem-solving; have well-developed makerspaces, labs, and studios; and which support diverse, interactive communities that engage in knowledge and skill sharing.