There are sleeping quarters for 12 passengers and 2 crew in three staterooms and two common areas. The Derek M. Baylis's hull, deck, wheelhouse and bulkheads are Baltek endgrain balsa-core combined in a fiberglass/carbon fiber reinforced "sandwich," the strongest and most environmentally friendly materials and construction method available today. A 100 horsepower diesel engine provides enough auxiliary power to reach 12 knots. The range under power alone is 1500 nautical miles. This speed and range is greater than most motor-only research vessels of this size and assures that schedules can be followed. In short, the Baylis powers at 10 Knots on 2 GPH.

The Derek M. Baylis has many modern features that uniquely qualify it as a 21st century sailing research vessel. It was designed by the Thomas Wylie Design Group to be easily and inexpensively sailed with a minimum of effort. Its hull and keel are highly evolved shapes, designed to provide an easy, comfortable and efficient motion through the water. The keel is a fin-bulb design, similar to those used in modern racing boats, which places the center of gravity low and provides increased stability as the boat heels. The cat-ketch rig, with a sail area of 1,530 sq. ft., is innovative, simple and effective. The tapered carbon fiber masts are free standing and flex, changing the sail shape as the wind velocity changes. The result is a rig that to a great degree adjusts itself as conditions change. The rig absorbs changes in the wind without transferring as much of those forces to the hull. This smooth transfer of energy results in a smoother motion through the water, reduced heel and no speed loss. Much less effort is needed to operate this rig; one person can handle it using two small winches. Plus, the reduced sail inventory, elimination of standing rigging and reduction in other rigging and winches lowers the operating costs. The cockpit is unusually spacious with a door fitted at the transom. A Titanium A-Frame is available for deployment. This area can be used to carry research or school equipment such as a submersible, RIB, or a flotilla of kayaks. The hold can be used to store dive tanks, compressors or other equipment.

The Derek M. Baylis was designed to operate in a manner that has the lowest possible negative impact on the environment. It is self-contained, with no overboard pumping of waste. As a sailing vessel, it can be operated in a quiet, non-contaminating way. It can be maneuvered silently, holding station or peacefully following observed subjects in a non-threatening way. Under sail, rolling motion is reduced and engine odors are eliminated, reducing the chance of seasickness and increasing the productivity and enjoyment of the voyage.