Hello & Westlawn vs YDS

[dansea]

Hello everyone ; Just one simple question....Has anyone completed Y D S ??? and if so are you working as a designer and still eating ?? OK so it was two questions ......

I'm a student of University Tecnology HCM_Viet Nam
I want to learn with everyone!

Originally Posted by Mark Robinson

Dear All,

Hi everyone !

I stumbled across this site whilst looking for a yacht design course. It's very reassuring to know that a lot of you have had the same quandary regarding YDS vs Westlawn.

It sounds as though some of you have been on the courses for a while now. I would very much like to hear if any of your opinions have changed now that you are "further down the road".

I am having difficulty deciding between the two, although I think I am leaning towards YDS.

The cost is significant to me and as I have no drafting experience I am a little concerned that I will struggle in the course without purchasing all of the expensive drafting tools that YDS suggest. Can anyone reassure me or otherwise ?

Regards,

Mark

[Kevin H.]

I'm curious... regarding the post nearly a year ago about the slow turnaround times of YDS... has this improved? I understand how a student might find this discouraging/uninspiring.

[Robert Miller]

Originally Posted by Kevin H.

I'm curious... regarding the post nearly a year ago about the slow turnaround times of YDS... has this improved? I understand how a student might find this discouraging/uninspiring.

I can speak only from my own experience, and have only completed the first lesson thus far.

My corrected drawing (corrections given in much detail), and answers to my many questions, were returned with little more than several days in between either side of priority mailing. Couldn't ask for more.

I would imagine that Lesson 2, (which I've been working on forever), will reasonably take a bit longer to be returned as it involves the design of three separate boats, and some calculations. Much to learn, much to read, and much to draw in order to complete this one.

Mr. MacNaughton has been extremely responsive to emailed questions. Responses are usually received within a day or so ... and these too are appropriately detailed.

Thus far, I am more than satisfied with the attention I am receiving.

I, on the other hand, am the one with the slow turnaround times.

Robert

[Kevin H.]

Thanks for the reply Robert, it's much appreciated.

[Mark Robinson]

Hi Kevin,

I agree with Robert. Mr Macnaughton has been very helpful and encouraging to me. All emails answered within a few days.

Like Robert, the only delay is at my end.

I too have been pushing Lesson 2 around for some time. To a beginner, it is a little daunting, but Tom at YDS has been very supportive.

Regards,

Mark

[Kevin H.]

Thanks also Mark. I suppose I should start collecting drafting tools soon...

[DavidJ]

I just found this funny reading your posts about lesson 2. I have also been held up by this for quite some time. I totally agree with Mark about the assignment being a little daunting. I find it difficult to come up with a design for a boat when I know so little. The one thing I wish was different about the program is the focus on design so early. I would have prefered if it took a more normal school approach by teaching more basic aspects first and then getting more and more into design as the course went on. For example more focus on basic drafting skills and ideas of design. We could start by modifying and doing calculations on existing designs instead of jumping right into designing our own. For my part I've decided to just get on with it and get something down on paper and move on with the course.

I also find the design of the 36 foot powerboat nearly impossible. How in the heck can you fit that much into such a small boat without making one of those modern monstrosities that barely look like a boat?

Originally Posted by DavidJ

I also find the design of the 36 foot powerboat nearly impossible. How in the heck can you fit that much into such a small boat without making one of those modern monstrosities that barely look like a boat?

HA!!! YES!
Baptism by fire...

Welcome to the world of design, enter stage left - clients requirements versus clients requirements...

Rob

[Kevin H.]

Hmm... you guys are all getting me excited. I need to fill out the forms tomorrow after work so I can get started. Lesson 2 already get's into designing? Cool!

[DavidJ]

Ya Rob I guess I understand that would definately happen in the real world. However in the real world the designer would be able to bounce ideas off of the clients. Discuss possible solutions to the problems that arrise from their wishes and adjust the design accordingly. My difficulty with this design goes back to my original problem with the program. I don't have enough experience designing boats to be able to design one based solely on these requests. I would have prefered to start designing dingys and worked my way up to full size boats with one stateroom and simpler requirements. After I had a better understanding of how much room things take up and became more familiar with different styles of boats then perhaps I would be comfortable enough to try a more complicated design with difficult requirements. Maybe I am being too much of a perfectionist, but I want it to work out right.

[DavidJ]

Lesson one gets into designing. I think it would be perfect for some people, but for me I would have liked to know more before getting into design.

[Mark Robinson]

I guess the purpose of the Lesson is to make the point that yacht design is a compromise between what clients want and what they can have (or at the moment, what they want and what I can draw !).

I have just thrown together some boats and made a few assumptions (listed for MR YDS to review) about the compromises I have suggested to the clients.

Or in reality I have probably drawn a boat that is totally unsuitable and won't sail for all the tea in china !!! But I guess that's the only way to learn !!

As for the 3rd yacht in Lesson 2, the single handed, ocean going, shallow draft 32 footer, with staterooms and large cabins, I was going to design a Catmaran ?

[Kevin H.]

Just thought I'd mention... I'm officially the newest YDS student here.

[Mark Robinson]

Hi Kevin,

Welcome to the team !

Keep us posted on what you think and how you get on.

Cheers,

Mark