Here is my story about Westlawn….

[seanconnett]

Following in the footsteps of ErikG and the thread that he started, explaining his experience with YDS, I thought I would try to help future yacht design students by sharing my experiences with the Westlawn yacht design program. Currently I am waiting for the first package to arrive in the mail but I thought I would quickly explain why I chose the Westlawn program rather than another.

Why Westlawn? I really don’t have a definite answer to that. A full time school was out of the question. I have 13 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and leaving is not an option. I’ve known about Westlawn for many years because of their advertisements in major magazines, and name recognition was a factor. Also, the fact that Westlawn is associated with the ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council) also helped me choose them. To me, having ABYC as a supporter gave Westlawn a higher degree of credibility. These reasons listed for choosing Westlawn are of course only my opinions and they may prove to be bad assumptions but I hope not. As for the cost issue; Yes, Westlawn is more expensive but they offered a payment plan, which helped me. I’m also hoping that the U.S. Coast Guard will reimburse me for some of the tuition.

While I’m waiting for my lessons to arrive, I am buying books and some of the other supplies that I’m going to need. Soon I’m going to have to find room in my small apartment to set up a drawing table and workspace without getting my wife too upset with me. The apartment is small when we are alone but when my two daughters come to visit it gets even smaller.

I’ll try to keep you all up to date with my progress and feelings. I invite and look forward to your comments.

[Jeff]

Thanks Sean!

I really enjoy reading about people's experiences with the various programs - far better than any directory we could provide, and I'm sure the experiences people are willing to share here on the forum will help lots of other folks make their decisions too. Please keep us updated!

--drafting table... that's nothing. It's when she can't open the door because the full size model in the living room is blocking it you might have a problem

[seanconnett]

Well, lesson 1 is started and I'm driving myself crazy

I can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich complicated.

All I have to do is do a preliminary sketch. The hull form is already there. Pretty simple, right? Not for me. I keep looking at my work and say, "Not good enough". Do I lower my expectations, or do I consume the time, until I am "happy"?

If I don't stop being so hard on my work, I may never finish this program. Does anyone else suffer from this self defeatism?

v/r
Sean

[SailDesign]

Sean,
It's not "self-defeatism", it's called perfectionism. ;-)
The only cure is to look at a few production boats (on the cheaper end of the scale) and realise that yours ARE better-looking, even if you aren't happy with them. Show them to some others and see what they say. I find it very hard working alone, coz there is no-one to bounce ideas and looks off.
Steve