Ed Dubois

Ed Dubois was a globally renowned British naval architect whose innovative designs transformed yachting across racing, cruising, and superyacht sectors. Founding Dubois Naval Architects in 1977 in Lymington, UK, he created over 240 designs, from performance dinghies to 150-meter megayachts, blending aesthetic elegance, hydrodynamic efficiency, and structural integrity. His portfolio includes the Aegean 234 (1980), Sigma 33/36/38, Oyster cruisers, and iconic superyachts like Drum (1985 America’s Cup contender) and Aquarius (152m). Known for mastering the International Offshore Rule (IOR) and later International Measurement System (IMS), Dubois’ yachts won races like the Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart while offering luxurious liveaboard comfort. His firm’s legacy continues under surviving directors, influencing modern yacht design with a focus on performance and style, akin to Robert H. Perry’s cruiser-racers or Bruce King’s Ericson series but with a broader superyacht scope.