Clueless newbie!

[Shug]

Just thought I'd say hello.
I've zero knowledge in boat design or building but have it in my head to learn (everyone gotta start somewhere) !
I have a fascination with building things (halfway through a classic car extreme restoration just now!)
Been eying up the courses offered by westlawn and macnaughton. May turn out to be a fairly indepth hobby or a new career. Who knows, but thats what makes it fun!

[masalai]

Are you good at maths?
Download Blender 3D and Freeship-Plus the former will run in windows (Not Vista last time I looked) or Linux, and Freeship runs under windows 98/2000/xp and is from Russia - (site is full of popups - do not click on any of them for any reason) both sites offer free software...

[Shug]

Work in IT and final year elective at uni was in 3d graphics. Coped pretty well with the maths in that. Need to brush up a bit tho I think!
I've had a brief play with Rhino, but I'll certainly have a look at the wones you've suggested. Free is by far the best price

[masalai]

If you like to go to Linux, I would suggest Linux Mint or Ubuntu and install "wine" to run the windows apps...look here for info http://distrowatch.com/ , Mint 5 is not ready yet so for that wait a week or so http://www.linuxmint.com/ and http://freeship-plus.pisem.su/downloadsE.html but carefully try the latest and also use 2.9+ which is "stable" export to members is either by *.fef or DXF unless they have the latest then default will work only then

[safewalrus]

Shuggie welcome to our world -hope its of some use! Just remember that down here in the dungeon you'll find some strange animals, well meaning enough but still strange, ken

[DanishBagger]

I'm not strange, Wally - it's all the rest of you that's utter weirdo's!

Seriously, though, welcome to the forums, Shug. I think you will enjoy it here. So much knowledge, so many "brainiacs" to tap into (I mean that in a good way).

[tinhorn]

Originally Posted by Shug

I've zero knowledge in boat design or building but have it in my head to learn (everyone gotta start somewhere) !
I have a fascination with building things (halfway through a classic car extreme restoration just now!)

Finally! A newbie who knows less than I do about boat design! Welcome!

(What kind of car?)

[Shug]

Originally Posted by tinhorn

Finally! A newbie who knows less than I do about boat design! Welcome!

(What kind of car?)

A series Manta. Its got the marine link

[safewalrus]

I thought a manta was a fish - or something to do with religion?

[Trevlyns]

That's a manta ray (fish) or mantra (religion) - don't these southerners know anything? Sorry Mike!!!

But welcome aboard Shug. Here's a useful site to get you going.

Best of luck and stay in contact!

[safewalrus]

Great site and great designer Trev! now about Suffeners mate!! where was it your from again? How far is that from the South POLE

[Trevlyns]

Shug, you gotta be soooo careful with this walrus character. Open your mouth just a teensy weensy bit too wide, and he shoves his dirty great boot in it!

Catches me everytime, he does

[Shug]

I'm halfway through reading George Buehlers Backyard boat building, and have chappelles book on yacht design to come.

[safewalrus]

Couple of good books to start with there shuggie, Both classics in their own right!! different systems but classics!! George is about building boats to get afloat in - no frills just get afloat! Depends what you want! Chappelle on the other hand tells it the way it was (still is to a certain extent) an absolutel clasic written so non boat builders can understand it! They'll ground you (no pun intended) in the American way! Which is pretty good,but ther are others! Nearer home go look at Iain Oughtred for some nice little local style boats!

[masalai]

Have a look at my favourite website, based less than 100km north of where I live... http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/barebones.html he is building a Bob Oram boat and is only a part time accountant and web publisher....