A methodology and approach to qualify and quantify a preliminary ship design weight estimate are presented. Consideration is given to the requirements of the ship Owner/operator and those priorities which must be addressed at the initial outset of the preliminary weight estimate. Various methods and approaches to estimating Steel, Outfitting and Machinery are addressed and the extent to which individual MARAD sub-group weights should be estimated. Conclusions are drawing with regards to these elements o the preliminary weight estimate which should retain priority and those which should be quickly estimates sot the final preliminary weight estimate can more closely reflect the proposed ship design weight as constructed.