Boat Tech: Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design – Second Edition

April 9, 2026

Just published is “Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design – Second Edition” book, by designer, author, engineer and race driver Jim Russell.

This new book is a comprehensive rewrite of the renowned original, featuring fascinating insights into the evolution of tunnel hull design, the principles of how a tunnel hull works, and detailed explanations on the design and setup of all types of tunnel boats and catamaran hulls. This unique book has over 250 pages of new information and more than 275 photos and illustrations.

The new Second Edition has expanded every element with more information, more pictures, new technologies, additional design methods, more calculation examples, more ‘secrets’.

This outstanding book also outlines the ‘Ten Design Steps’ for performance analysis, demonstrating the calculation process and their impact on hull performance and dynamic stability. These proven methods are for any size of sport tunnel, offshore cat, utility, recreational or racing tunnel boat.

Jim Russell is a professional engineer with a mechanical and aeronautics background. Currently living in Cambridge ON, he has done extensive aerodynamic research at University of Michigan, MI; University of Toronto, Canada; Institute for Aerospace Studies (UofT) and marine research at the NRC water channel laboratory in Ottawa, Canada. His published works are highly acclaimed and are specifically related to the aerodynamics and hydrodynamics of performance catamarans, tunnel boats, vee and vee-pad hulls.

Russell has appeared on SpeedVision’s ‘Powerboat Television‘ as a guest expert on ‘Tunnel Hulls’, was performance/design technical consultant on National Geographic’s ‘Thrill Zone‘ TV show, and editorial consultant on Discovery Channel’s ‘What Happened Next‘ TV show As a professional race driver, he piloted tunnel boats to Canadian and North American championships.  He is also a private airplane pilot.

For 35+ years, he has written power boating articles for many worldwide performance magazines and has covered UIM and APBA powerboat races.  Russell is the author of the “Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design” book, “History of Tunnel Boat Design” book, and the “Secrets of Propeller Design book.”

Contact AeroMarine Research at www.aeromarineresearch.com

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