Boat design software

[sgcc113]

Hello Everyone, I'm new to this site. Hopefully you can help me out. I'm A expert carpenter and a novice boat builder, I have been designing boats for years using my trusty drafting table. I'd like to start designing using software. Since I'm new to this I don't no what program I should get. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thank You.

[erik818]

sgcc113,
This is not my subject at all, but as you've got no answers I'll give you what advice I have.

There's another forum on this site for design software with threads that seem to adress your question. Check those threads.

Generally I would say it is the same with marine design software as with any other CAD engineering software. The software will help you with drawing the design onto a computer, help you with calculations and simulations, help you produce production drawings, nice presentations etc. You still have to supply the brain and the experience yourself to make a good design.

A software named "freeship" (use the search function for it) is available for free and is said to be a good starter.

Good luck,
Erik

[mikereed100]

I've been using Rhinocerus 3.0. I found it intuitive and fairly easy to learn. They offer a free version online that is fully functional, but you are limited to 20 saves. If you know a student you can pick up the full version with excellent manual for $185.

Mike