Teach on Udemy

Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.

Learn More

Your cart is empty.

Keep shopping

Maxsurf

Name: Maxsurf
Rating: 4.4 (70 reviews)

Design and Engineering

Created byHalil Necati Karaca

Last updated 4/2026

English

What you'll learn

You are now a professional design engineer and hull designer. You have full knowledge of the design process and calculations in all its details.
With the knowledge and experience you have gained here, you can have the chance to work in the best companies of the world in this field.
You can create your own design, make the calculations and provide the manufacture.
You can design and calculate Yacht-Sailing-Freighter-Catamaran-Triman and all types of boats.
When you enroll in our trainings, you will have the opportunity to meet dozens of engineers and designers from different countries around the world.

Course content

3 sections • 83 lectures • 20h 47m total length

Introducing Tabs4:09
Explore maxsurf's modeller module, opening the software and navigating four views—profile, body plan, top, and perspective—and use the menus to import, edit, view, and model surfaces.
File Tab4:37
Navigate the Maxsurf file tab to start designs using the design quickstart with yacht models, set length, width, and depth, rotate views, and save, open, or export.
Edit Tab 19:31
Explore the Maxsurf Edit menu, including undo, redo, cut, copy, paste, and selection tools; define materials and 8 mm outward skin thickness for offset table calculations and module transfers.
Edit Tab 29:53
HELLO WORLD!
View Tab8:26
Master the maxsurf view tab: zoom, shrink, pan, rotate, and save views; select perspective, body plan, profile, or top views; adjust horizon and centerline, and customize colors, fonts, and toolbars.
Window Tab6:40
Use the window menu in Maxsurf to cascade, tile, and arrange views such as perspective, plan, profile, and body plan; access markers, curves, and surfaces windows for design data.
Display Tab 18:53
Explore Maxsurf display workflows by unlocking designs, viewing net control points, and manipulating rows and columns; use symmetry, compress, curvature analysis, trimming, and precision to refine surfaces and hydrostatics.
Display Tab 210:14
Master Maxsurf's display and drawing settings to translate 3D design into 2D, enable snap for control points, and manage grids and surface visibility for precise modeling.
Surface Trimming Process 114:45
This lecture demonstrates trimming workflows in Maxsurf, including importing half hulls, handling symmetry, confronting Rhino and Maxsurf trim differences, and performing trims with cutting curves and surfaces.
Surface Trimming Process 27:49
Regarding the trimming process;

If you get an error that trimming could not be done even though you have done all the operations, you can follow this path;

Exit Maxsurf by saving the file you are working on. Then re-open the file you saved.

When you exit and re-open the program, Maxsurf will do the trimming.
Data Tab 116:35
Configure units and weights in the data tab, then set coefficients and the frame of reference to drive hydrostatic calculations and ensure accurate LCB, LCF, and DWL results.
Data Tab 215:06
Explore the data tab and design grid to add, delete, and space hull sections, waterlines, buttocks, and diagonals for accurate cross-sections and windage analysis.
Data Tab 314:37
Explore maxsurf's data tab: compute halfgirth and offsets, evaluate areas and hydrostatics, and perform parametric transformations while examining lcb, lcf, density, and displacement relationships.
Calculate Offset 115:56
Build sections and waterlines in the design grid to represent the hull. Calculate offsets from these grids and export marker data to Excel for the offset table.
Calculate Offset 216:50
Learn to calculate offsets in Maxsurf using LBP and D values, create and connect markers from offsets, and transfer data from Excel to Maxsurf via design grid and waterlines.
Information 11:18
Import the offset table, create the offset chart in a new Maxsurf file, and set up markers to begin modeling a superyacht in future lessons.
Markers Tab25:04
Master creating and editing markers in Maxsurf's markers tab, generating markers from offsets and developable surfaces, building a design grid, and evaluating surface fit with error metrics.
Curves Tab18:21
Create and edit curves in Maxsurf using data points, control points, circles, arcs, and linear curves. Project curves onto surfaces, adjust, fit to markers, and manage visibility and symmetry.
Surfaces Tab 120:12
Navigate the Maxsurf surfaces tab to add box, cylinder, sphere, hemisphere, and other shapes, then edit, move, scale, offset, split, and join surfaces to form a boat body.
Surfaces Tab 217:07
Master surface generation in maxsurf by using the surfaces tab to skin curves, adjust control net with columns and rows, and join or trim surfaces for a smooth hull.
Controls Tab22:26
Learn to edit control points in the controls tab by unlocking surfaces, adding rows and columns in top, profile, and body plan views, and applying move, scale, and rotate.
Weight Command (Bulkcarrier Ship)3:55
Use the weight and control properties commands to adjust control point distance. Unlock surfaces, select control points, and apply weighting to shape bulk carrier hulls.
Information 23:50
Continue modeling the mega yacht hull in Maxsurf using a closely matching body model, extracting the offset table and markers to guide design, waterline placement, and draft estimation.
Preparation of the Mega Yacht Hull Model19:12
Model the mega yacht hull in Maxsurf using markers and centerline, import the offset table from Excel, and build smooth, joined surfaces through curves and design grids.
Optimizing the Hull Model 121:50
Optimize the hull in Maxsurf by adjusting control points, setting main dimensions, and smoothing the surface, then compare resistance results and consider CFD and model testing.
Optimizing the Hull Model 223:20
Optimize the hull by adjusting control points and design grids across body plan and perspective views to reduce the block coefficient and achieve a smooth surface.
Render Command8:34
Learn to use the render command to visualize and fix hull surface distortions by adjusting deck levels and control points, then analyze curvature, convexity, concavity, and trimesh settings.
Trimming Operations and Completion of the Hull Model21:39
Master trimming operations for the hull model by alternating Maxsurf and Rhino, exporting, trimming, lofting, and extruding surfaces to shape the forecastle, stern, and skeg.
Information About the Hull Model7:03
Explore modeling the hull in Maxsurf by setting beam values, unlocking and untrimming surfaces, using the size surface, and adding a parallel mid body for future extension.
Determining the Sample Draft Value10:55
Set a DWL draft in maxsurf modeler to determine draft, displacement, and hydrostatics, then define max/min drafts and build a lines plan with waterlines, buttocks, and diagonals.
Preparation of the Spect Table7:51
Explore how the Spect table sets minimum requirements and dimensions - LOA, LBP, aft/fore peak, width, depth, draft, displacement, and guides diesel, oil, water and waste tank sizing.
Creating the Lines Plan12:19
Create the lines plan by using symmetry, design grids, and frames in Maxsurf and Rhino; trim and export surfaces to align port and starboard hulls.
Final Lines Plan22:49
Reduce hull sections to a 4.8 m spacing in Maxsurf to define lines, waterlines, and buttocks; export 2D DXF and IGES files and transfer to Rhino for 3D hull modeling.
Creating the Final Offset Table10:20
Add design grids to the design, then calculate offsets on the NURB surface using the Calculate Offsets command. Export the Offset table to Excel, format borders, and apply three-digit precision.
Modeler with Catamaran2:25
Explore modeling a catamaran in the Maxsurf Modeler by selecting catamaran vessel type and setting a 2.5 m hull distance, then apply symmetry to surfaces.
Hull Modeling Using a Surface (Maxsurf)5:50
Model a boat hull by creating a buttock plane, adding and moving control points, and adjusting offsets, heights, and longitudinal positions to shape a hull with NURB options.

Ship Resistance and Introducing Tabs4:42
Explore the Maxsurf resistance module, comparing statistical, CFD, and ship model basin methods for hull resistance, and master units, frame of reference, and tab navigation.
Display and Analysis Tabs20:47
Explore how to select appropriate resistance methods in Maxsurf for displacement and planing boats, compare Holtrop and Campton, enable slender body mesh, and evaluate free surface effects and Froude number.
Evaluation of Graphs and Results20:45
Explore how to calculate and visualize wave spectra, export to Rhino, and render with V-Ray, then interpret Maxsurf resistance graphs to optimize hull design.
Range Calculations and Main Engine Selection19:15
Learn to export the resistance data from the resistance module to Excel, then compute main engine power across efficiencies, and determine cruising and maximum speeds and tank capacities.
Calculation of Tank Capacities and Processing into Spect Table22:37
Calculate tank capacities and fuel rates to populate the spect table, converting liters to cubic meters and detailing fresh water, black water, and gray water needs for a 28-person vessel.
Resistance with Bulkcarrier Ship1:18
Learn how to calculate the resistance of a bulkcarrier using Holtrop method in ITTC options, aligning with mega yacht methods, and view results in the data, results, and graph windows.
Resistance with Catamaran4:28
Learn to calculate catamaran resistance in Maxsurf using the slender body method with Molland(catamaran) and ITTC rules; understand hull gap effects and when CFD is the preferred method.

Information on Progress21:12
Master Maxsurf stability module by detailing weight distribution, lightship, and center of gravity through 3D Rhino modeling, weight data in Excel, and loading conditions.
Introduction to Stability Module12:00
Open the Maxsurf stability file with its Maxsurf Modeler partner, then adjust sections and design grid using trimmed surfaces and skin thickness for accurate stability analysis.
General Introduction of Interface, Tabs and Commands19:00
Explore the Maxsurf interface and navigation, mastering file import/export, load case creation, and viewing in perspective, top, profile, and body plan views to prepare stability calculations.
Margine Line11:19
Edit the margine line to 76 millimeters below the deck and ensure its position remains consistent across plan, profile, and bow views for accurate stability and floodable-length calculations.
Criteria25:27
Configure intact and damaged stability criteria from Lloyd booklets in Maxsurf, verify GZ criteria, and read existing data before recalculating sections to ensure proper stability.
Specified Condition22:20
Master the specified condition analysis in Maxsurf by selecting the analysis type and entering draft or displacement, then apply fixed or free heel and trim in sea water.
Limiting KG28:23
Learn to perform the Limiting KG analysis in Maxsurf, calculating the maximum vertical center of gravity (KG/VCG) across displacements, heel, and trim, using Lloyd criteria and documenting results for stability.
Information3:28
Track progress from sample weight calculations to real boat stability by modeling with Maxsurf and Rhino, using Lines Plan exports to determine Lightship and center of gravity.
Modeling of the Boat Hull with Rhino1:23
Complete the hull modeling in Rhino and preview exterior and superstructure design, with accelerated hull design lessons and a video demonstration for learners.
Modeling of the Upper Decks and Boat Exterior with Rhino1:00
Model the upper decks and boat exterior with Rhino, following the exterior and deck modeling section. Watch an accelerated video recap of department lessons for quick learning.
Hull Model Revisions7:44
Apply a stern revision from Rhino to Maxsurf, moving the garage door for better aesthetics, with hydrostatic and resistance unchanged and only the limiting KG outputs slightly vary.
Rhino Gross Tonnage Calculations37:44
Sum all enclosed volumes to calculate gross tonnage, using Rhino to measure deck and bulwark volumes, export to Excel, and apply the K1 and GT formula.
Floodable Length Analysis30:11
Explore floodable length analysis in Maxsurf to determine watertight bulkhead placement and evaluate displacement, permeability, and trim for yacht safety and stability.
Modeling of the Compartments and Final Boat Exterior with Rhino3:15
Model the compartments and final exterior of the boat, then continue building the vessel by modeling construction, designing the interior, calculating weight, rendering with v Ray, and drawing the plans.
Information About the Process3:26
Model the boat in Rhino to create full 3D construction, interior, and outfitting models; calculate weights and center of gravity in Excel, then import results into Maxsurf to assess stability.
Loadcase18:39
In Maxsurf, create a lightship load case, enter weight data from construction, interior, and outfitting, configure data columns and center-of-gravity values, and prepare for stability calculations.
Equilibrium21:23
Perform a balance analysis in Maxsurf by calculating weights and centers of gravity from Rhino groups, then adjust outfitting CG and loadcases to achieve trim and heel balance.
Equilibrium 2 (13.5m Boat)4:27
Explore how to determine lightship weight in maxsurf by adding weights separately in the lightship section, including hulls, keel, coatings, and outfitting, and estimate CG adjustments for trim.
Tanks (Room Definition Window) 131:31
Model tanks in Maxsurf using the room definition window to add intact freshwater and hi fog tanks, define coordinates, permeability, and density, and apply linked tanks with update loads.
Tanks (Room Definition Window) 211:42
learn to create diesel day tanks in maxsurf's engine room using the room definition window, defining density, coordinates, and symmetric port and starboard tanks.
Tanks (Room Definition Window) 31:14:27
Explore tanks and the room definition window in Maxsurf, and master key modeling workflows in this third lesson.
Tanks (Room Definition Window) 426:50
Create and size ship tanks in Maxsurf stability via the room definition window, including day tank capacity calculation, diesel, pool and greywater tanks, and exporting tank plans.
Intact Stability Preparations & Establishing Loading Conditions32:23
Balance the vessel with Maxsurf stability module by creating loading conditions—full, half, arrival—and setting tank fill rates and ballast to optimize trim and account for free surface moment.
Key Points20:04
Explore how the Key Points window in Maxsurf stability defines and adds downflooding points, with portholes, garage doors, embarkation and immersion points, to ensure complete stability calculations.
Important Information About LightShip (Limits)8:11
Define aft and forward limits for all weights in Maxsurf as position-specific loads. This improves longitudinal strength and stability calculations by avoiding distributed loads across the vessel.
A New Loading Condition - For Future Added Weights7:25
Create a new loading condition named Scantling Draft to reserve 176 tons for future weights, balance the vessel to zero trim, and keep displacement within the maximum 1864 tons.
Result Window6:54
Explore the results window in maxsurf, exporting stability analyses to Word or TXT, and configure reporting options to generate stability booklets with Word templating.
Creating the Intact Stability Booklet19:45
1-It was stated within the scope of criterion 1:
If a vessel is perfectly symmetrical, there is no difference between the port and starboard sides, and therefore, it does not matter which side’s “Hell” value is used in the calculations.
This is because, in such a case, the acting forces and weight distributions will be identical on both sides, so the results will remain the same.
However, in real-life conditions, ships — especially due to downflooding openings (i.e., openings through which water can enter when a wave hits or when the ship heels) — are rarely symmetrical.
For example, there might be a manhole, ventilation shaft, or deck opening located near the bridge on the starboard side, while there might be no such opening at the same level on the port side.
In such a case, which side’s Hell value is used becomes a critical difference.
If the vessel heels to starboard and a downflooding opening on that side submerges earlier, this will cause the ship to reach its stability limit faster.
Conversely, if a similar opening on the port side remains higher when the vessel heels that way, the risk may appear lower.
In other words, the results can differ depending on which side’s calculations are used, as one side may reach failure conditions earlier.
Therefore, the condition shown in the stability booklet must always represent the “worst-case scenario.”
In other words, if the port side’s calculations show the ship approaching the “failure” limit sooner, then that side’s results must be used in the reports.
The goal is to transparently present the vessel’s behavior under the most unfavorable conditions and ensure safety margins are maintained.
To summarize briefly:
If the vessel is symmetrical, there is no difference between port and starboard.
If the vessel is not symmetrical, especially due to different downflooding openings, the selected side will affect the results.
The stability booklet must always include the worst-case (fail) condition of the vessel.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Downflooding openings may, in certain cases, be accepted by classification societies as non-critical, provided certain conditions are met.
The same applies to the air vents (lumbuzlar) of our vessel — they can be excluded from being considered downflooding points if specific criteria are satisfied.
This ensures the vessel will not be considered as failing.
Large Angle Stability20:11
Downflooding openings are not always required to be considered as absolute “points of water ingress.”
In certain specific situations and when defined conditions are met, these openings may be evaluated as exceptions by classification societies and excluded from being regarded as downflooding points.
The same principle applies to the portholes (lumbuzlar) on our vessel.
Normally, a porthole is considered a potential downflooding opening because water can enter through it when the vessel heels or when a wave strikes.
However, if the portholes are manufactured to meet the necessary standards — for example:
have successfully passed watertightness tests,
are located above a specific height limit,
and can be secured in a permanently closed position,
then the classification society may decide not to treat these portholes as downflooding points.
This makes a significant difference in the stability analysis:
the fewer and the higher the downflooding points are, the less likely the vessel is to approach the “failure” limit.
Therefore, when valid exceptions are properly applied, the vessel may, in fact, not fail at all.
The key point here is this:
When you see the word “fail” in a stability analysis, it does not necessarily mean that the vessel’s design must be changed.
Sometimes, the “fail” indication only suggests that certain parameters, rules, or class criteria have not been applied correctly.
For example:
The defined downflooding points may be incorrect,
The exceptions allowed by the rulebook may not have been considered,
Or an incorrect set of criteria may have been selected.
Therefore, if you encounter a “fail” statement in a stability assessment, your first step should not be to modify the model, but rather to review the parameters and rules.
In most cases, when you carefully examine the criteria, you can resolve the issue by applying the class society’s permitted exceptions or by making minor adjustments.
Upright Hydrostatics2:53
Perform upright hydrostatic analysis by setting trim and displacement, review LCG/VCG values, generate the stability booklet across displacement conditions, and examine results and graphs of displacement curves and wetted area.
KN Values3:47
Perform KN values analysis by selecting heel and sweeping 0–90 degrees in 5-degree steps, across draft, displacement, and trim; relate KN to GZ via KN = GZ / sin theta.
Longitudinal Strength10:54
Analyze longitudinal strength by assigning each weight to its own row with aft and forward limits, then evaluate how loading shifts affect shear force and bending moment against Lloyd's limits.
Tank Calibration5:22
Tank calibration explores heel and trim effects on stability, explains calculating free surface moment, center of gravity changes, and sensor placement for ballast tanks.
Assumptions Made So Far8:08
Review the three assumptions in Maxsurf stability: outfitting equipment weights, aft and forward limits, and downflooding points, and summarize the stability analyses and approvals.
Modeling of the Compartments 126:42
Model compartments within the Maxsurf Stability module to enable damaged stability calculations. Use the Room Definition window to create and verify compartments, including linked compartments, in 2D and 3D views.
Modeling of the Compartments 256:24
Advance the modeling of the compartments in Maxsurf with the compartments modeling 2, continuing the focus on compartment modeling.
Damaged Stability Preparations25:19
Assess damaged stability by configuring compartments and permeability in the Maxsurf stability module, creating damage cases, and analyzing criteria with recalculation and surface precision controls.
Creating the Final Stability Booklet16:42
Learn how to perform damaged stability analyses for multiple injury conditions and loading scenarios, assemble a comprehensive stability booklet, and use batch analysis to generate clear outputs.
Final Stability Booklet Example9:36
Learn how to format a stability booklet for classification societies, including page layout, general boat information, unit conversions, and hydrostatic and KN calculations across trim conditions and stability scenarios.
Differences Between Commercial Ships5:47
Maxsurf explains how commercial vessels differ in stability calculations from yachts, focusing on cargo holds, floodable length, ballast tanks, and watertight bulkheads to keep balance under loading and unloading.

Requirements

No skills or experience are required. The course aims to bring all people, whether in this field or not, to a professional designer and engineering skills. All files used in the lessons have been added to the resources section. In this way, students will be able to work simultaneously and achieve excellent efficiency. In addition, nothing was done randomly, all the technical parts were taken into account. As a result, you will be able to dominate the design process of a boat from start to finish.

Description

Halil Necati KARACA Respectfully Presents,

Welcome to our training, published worldwide for the first time on an online platform.

Maxsurf is a software for hull modeling and calculations of boats. We recommend that you do not think that you can only learn Maxsurf with this training. Because you will learn so much more. Maxsurf consists packaged software designed to perform different operations.

Modeler, Stability, Resistance, Structure, VPP (Sail) and Motions modules are explained.

The new version of Maxsurf is used throughout the training.

-During the training, Maxsurf software and all commands in the software were explained one by one.

-After being shown everything the software could do, a Mega Yacht hull was designed from zero. An optimum hull has been created by taking all parameters into consideration.

-Everything that needs to be done to obtain a perfect boat hull is explained.

-The relationship between the customer and the design office was simulated in the training. Mega Yacht is completely determined according to the customer's wishes. All limitations and values were determined by creating a Spect Table at the preliminary design stage.

-Resistance and range calculations of the boat have been made. Tank capacities were decided according to these calculations.

-Preliminary stability calculations have been made. All calculations that can be made with the software are explained both theoretically and practically.

-With the help of the data obtained, revisions were made and the boat was made ready for superstructure design.

-In Maxsurf, weight and center of gravity information is needed to calculate the final stability. At this stage, the process continues with Rhino training.

-In the Rhino course, all design, construction, interior modeling and weight calculation issues are explained in detail and modeling procedures are also carried out.

-The positions of the tanks were decided with the help of the weight information obtained in the Rhino traning. Then, Final Stability calculations were made. The calculations are listed in the Final Stability Booklet at a level that can be sent to Lloyd Register for approval.

-The subject of Motions is explained using the same Mega Yacht. All the details are mentioned and the results are interpreted.

-With the help of the Structure Module, an effort has been made to model the same construction modeled in Rhino, and all the operations that the software can perform are explained.

-The sail of the sailboat used in our VPP module Scantling course is designed and explained. All operations that the software can perform are mentioned.

All model files have been uploaded to the resources section at the end of the lessons. In this way, it is aimed that you progress simultaneously with the training and reach 100% efficiency.

An attempt has been made to explain everything as simply as possible. Even if you have no knowledge in the fields mentioned, you can learn all of them. When you complete the training, you will be able to design and manufacture your own boats on your own. This will help you be among the pioneers in this field.

Maxsurf is an analysis program and the important thing in analysis programs is to interpret the analysis rather than making the analysis. This requires sufficient knowledge and experience. The important thing is not to learn the software. Learning software alone will not save you any money. A high school student can also perform analysis using the software. That's why the results obtained from the software are explained meticulously in this training. The important thing is to abandon the programmer way of thinking and focus on the result with an engineering approach. Only then will you realize that you can actually use Maxsurf.

Maxsurf is not a program that can be used in all design stages. For this reason, the same boat prepared during Maxsurf training was also used in Rhino training. With the help of Rhino software, you will be able to learn all the design and technical details that cannot be implemented with Maxsurf software.

Thanks to these two trainings, you will be able to add professionalism to your professionalism in both engineering and design and be one of the best in this world.

Who this course is for:

You can be an engineer, designer or even a middle school student for this course. If you are interested in design or engineering, I believe it will be a unique course experience for you.
It is suitable for those who are interested in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, especially in the fields of Shipbuilding, Marine and Engineering, as well as Architects, Interior Architects and Design.
It is also suitable for people who have completed their studentship and have reached a certain professional level.
It is suitable for anyone who wants to improve themselves in this field.
It is suitable for anyone who wants to develop themselves in the fields of captaincy and yacht.

Maxsurf

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Mega Yacht Design with New Maxsurf Modeler Software36 lectures • 7hr 30min

Mega Yacht Design with New Maxsurf Resistance Software7 lectures • 1hr 34min

Mega Yacht Design with Maxsurf Stability Software40 lectures • 11hr 43min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: