Czesław Marchaj

Who is Czesław Marchaj?

Czesław Antony Marchaj is a Polish yachtsman and professor whose published scientific study of the aerodynamics and hydrodynamics of sailing boats has been hugely influential on yacht, sail and rig designers. Author of a classic work "Sailing Theory and Practice" and approximately 60 other publications on sailing. A member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, awarded the Silver Medal of The International Sailing Federation.

His original youth interest and professional career choice was aviation, with emphasis on gliding. After studying at the State Academy of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in Warsaw, he joined the Warsaw University of Technology. Led wind tunnel testing of combat airplanes. During the German and Soviet occupation of Poland during World War II soldier of the Polish Home Army. Also, during the war years, Czesław Marchaj studied philosophy under Władysław Tatarkiewicz.

In the postwar years his interest had turned towards sailing. This resulted in a sentence in a politically motivated process to a prison term under false charges of espionage and "trying to escape to the West" and subsequent long term harassment.