John studies details of a yacht's history utilizing yacht club libraries, period yachting magazines and books. If the yacht still exists he will go to the yacht to make study sketches and take reference photos. If an older yacht is to be portrayed in its earliest years details are studied to ensure that later modifications are not portrayed.

      Original plans, drawings and contemporary photographs are studied. It was traditional to have a finely detailed model made at the time a yacht was built and many can be found in yacht clubs around the country. John has always depended on models, finding their three dimensional aspect to be a big help in understanding a yacht's character. Sketching models often yields details not evident in contemporary photos.