Robert H. Perry

Robert H. Perry is a prolific and influential American yacht designer based in the Pacific Northwest, celebrated for his performance-oriented cruising yachts that blend seaworthiness, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. With over 380 designs credited to his name—resulting in more than 6,000 boats launched—Perry has shaped modern blue water sailing through collaborations with builders like Tayana, Valiant, Cheoy Lee, Baba, Ta Shing, Hans Christian, Islander, Passport, Pacific Seacraft, and Saga. His work emphasizes practical innovation, such as fin keels with skeg rudders on traditional hulls, democratizing ocean voyaging for families and adventurers. Perry's candid writing, including monthly columns in Sailing magazine for over two decades and his 2009 book Yacht Design According to Perry, has made him a mentor to aspiring designers. His firm, Robert H. Perry Yacht Designers (est. 1974), continues to produce custom and production yachts from Tulalip, Washington, fostering a global fan community of over 6,400 on Facebook.