Offshore Race Boat Designing

[rtucker_1]

I'm currently a student getting my degree in CAD Design. When I finish I would like to design/draft power boats. I've talked to a couple of designers and they wouldn't give me any advice on where/what I need to focus towards in order to tailor my skills towards power boat designing.

What direction do I need to take? Right now I'm working at boat place doing general repair work and also at a tooling company doing CAD work. I know what I want to do, just not sure how to get there. If anyone has any advice I sure would appreciate anything I can get. Thanks!!

[ErikG]

Hi RTucker_1

I don't mean to be rude, but have you read any of the messages on this forum. Quite a few of them is about what to do and where to study to become a designer/draftsman.

Also, have a look at the school and books sections on the main website.
If you have any specific questions, there are alot of knowledgeble people here that can help you with answers, ideas and opinions.

I for one am about to start the YDS distance learning course.

Good luck

ErikG

[Jeff]

Hi rtucker_1,

First, welcome to our forums.

Second, as EricG says, take a look at our list of schools at: http://boatdesign.net/Directory/Tech...urces/Schools/

Both the NMMA endorsed Westlawn <http://www.westlawn.com/> and Macnaughton's Yacht Design School <http://www.macnaughtongroup.com/school.htm> are frequent topics of our forums as both of these correspondence courses focus primarily on the design of smaller recreational boats and yachts rather than larger ships, and because both are much more affordable than a 4-year university program, and can also fit into the schedule of someone who already has a degree from a 4-year university or more and is currently working. For example, see:
http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthr...p?threadid=117
http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthr...p?threadid=333
http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthr...p?threadid=356

I believe that both of these programs will give you a good foundation in yacht design (though I know more about Westlawn than the YDS). There have been comments that if you want a highly technical education you might look at some of the more technical engineering/naval architecture programs. It just depends on what specifically you want to do and how you want to approach it, how much time you want to invest at what stages, what you will bring to your general education from external sources, etc.

Look at the general overview and the schools which might be of interest to you, and then feel free to ask some more specific questions. Or if you definitely want to take a different route, for example http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=9 , first have a look at the overview sections, and then give us more specific information on where you are, designs you have already done, the limits and bounds of what you want to focus on, etc. and we can give you more feedback on that as well.

[Jeff]

I for one am about to start the YDS distance learning course.

P.S. It will also be very interesting to hear what you have to say once you start the YDS course if you go that route. There are a lot of bits and pieces available from Westlawn graduates about the program, but not much information available about the strengths and weaknesses of the YDS course. It will be great to get some additional information and feedback about Tom MacNaughton and the YDS.

[ErikG]

As i've said in an earlier post of mine, there are numerous reasons for choosing any of the courses.

I think YDS looks good because you pay as you go. You can stop or take a study break at any time without having to pay extra for it.
It's also the most affordable course of all.

What does bother me is the fact that noone has ever graduated from YDS!
What could be the reasons... Several I suppose.
Mr MacNouggthons response when I asked about it was that the course is still young, and that students are employable long before they actually graduate.

Mr MacN. seem like a very nice person. When I emailed to him I got a reply the next day, my time including six hours timedifference.

I'll keep you posted during my studies but be warned. I expect progress to be rather slow since I'm currently working full time.

I think that if you'd ask mr Macnoughton if he could come here and comment on questions about YDS, I believe he would.
Maybe we could have a school shootout?! :-)

ErikG

[rtucker_1]

Sorry for sounding dumb. I never heard of this site until I stumbled across it yesterday. You both are right about the info. from others. Right now I'm in between 3 jobs and 15 hrs. of school. So time is a limited thing right now. I do appreciate all of your input and time. Thank you for everything!

[Cary]

My dad gave me a drafting table when I was 11 and told me to get to work...

[RANCHI OTTO]

Your father was a great man and you know this very well....

RANCHI OTTO