BEng (Hons) Yacht Design and Production
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.
View course Stephen Crook
LCGI, Cert Ed, BEng (Hons)
Technical Instructor
School of Technology and Maritime Industries
Biography
Steve Crook is a technician instructor in yacht production and development (YPD) and test tank technician at Solent University, bringing extensive experience from both the marine industry and higher education.
He began his career as an apprentice in boatbuilding and joinery, gaining a strong foundation in vessel design and construction before progressing into project management within the marine industry. This early experience provided expertise across the design, engineering, construction and commissioning of both leisure and commercial vessels.
Following a successful industry career, Steve moved into education in 1996 as a yacht and boatbuilding lecturer. He subsequently held course leadership and advanced practitioner roles before joining Solent University in 2004 as a CAD instructor and tow tank technician within the Solent yacht engineering team.
Alongside his professional career, Steve completed a degree in yacht design and surveying with first-class honours and received the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) Prize for his dissertation. His specialist expertise focuses on computer-aided design (CAD), digital modelling, production methods and marine design technologies.
Over more than two decades at Solent University, Steve has played a significant role in the development of CAD teaching within marine programmes, helping generations of students develop industry-relevant digital design skills. His work combines traditional marine engineering principles with emerging technologies, ensuring graduates are equipped for the evolving demands of the sector.
His current interests include advanced modelling techniques, parametric design and the integration of artificial intelligence into marine design workflows, with a particular focus on how new technologies will influence future industry practice and professional skills.
Further information
Steve began his marine career as a boatbuilding and joinery apprentice before progressing into project management within a commercial boatyard environment.
As a project manager within a new construction office, he gained extensive experience across all stages of vessel design, construction and delivery, working on both leisure and commercial craft for new builds and major refits. His responsibilities included:
- CAD modelling and project proposal drawings
- Design development and product design
- Systems engineering
- Costing, estimating and budget control
- Progress reporting and project tracking
- Customer and owner liaison
- Project planning and scheduling
- Coordination and management of sub-contractors
- Control and issue of technical information and construction drawings
- Sourcing materials and equipment
- Purchasing and expediting orders
- Sea trials and vessel commissioning
- Warranty and maintenance management
- Identifying, costing and managing emergent work and design changes
- Progress meetings, inspections and snagging activities
- Maintaining and updating computer-based costing systems
- Liaison with naval architects and classification societies
- Ensuring compliance with construction standards, rules and classification requirements
During this period, Steve worked with vessels constructed from a broad range of materials, including timber, steel, aluminium, fibreglass and advanced composites. This practical experience provided a detailed understanding of marine manufacturing, project delivery and quality assurance, knowledge that continues to inform his teaching and technical work at Solent University.
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.
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BEng (Hons) Maritime Engineering
Gain the essential skills for a career in sustainable maritime design and engineering - from a practical design perspective, using current design software, and applying the latest regulations.
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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.
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