Yacht design career path in New Zealand

[Indiana_Jones]

Hey guys,

This is my 1st post on this site and I was just wondering if there was any Kiwi's on here who are/or becoming yacht designers.

I'm very interested in following this career choice and would like to know the best way to get into it.

cheers guys!

[badmanintheband]

I just found this forum...Indiana I'm in the same boat as you (excuse the pun)...I've enroled in the certificate for boat building at Unitech in Mt Albert but I'm trying to contact people in the know as to where to start.
Have you had any luck in your searches?

[Indiana_Jones]

Hey mate,

Been a while since I posted that! lol

Nothing as of yet. Been working for the meantime though.

[badmanintheband]

There is a phone number for a bloke on another thread on this forum who I will call tomorrow...
My uncle did a course years ago and it was called 'small craft design' and he said it was awesome...I'm gonna ring this bloke and find out where the boating situation is here...I wanna design and build NOW!

[Indiana_Jones]

You're best bet would be to move to Auckland, a lot of boat building and design done there.

Though with the current ecomonic situation it might be harder to get that foot in the door for the time being.

[badmanintheband]

I was...I've applied for two courses, the Unitech one and a completely different course in Christchurch of which the later I'm leaning towards. I was talking to my uncle who works for Alloy Yachts and he reckons the way to go at the moment would be to learn design first maybe at night classes if possible...

[Indiana_Jones]

I would agree with that idea, work fulltime and while doing night classes. Earn and learn, you can't go wrong with that _b

Best of luck mate =]

[outside the box]

Try www.westlawn.edu also google/search KIWI designers you will be surprised by the number of well known design business's who have staff studying or have done Westlawn papers. Also what is available in Christchurch? I've just had a fourth year Mechanical engineering student from University of Cabnterbury working his summer break with our Company and with his passion for yacht design he was employable and productive from day one.
Good Luck
Craig

[outside the box]

Canterbury sorry typo's all through that post

[kitto]

Hey guys,
How have you got on finding a design class in NZ?

I studied at Unitec back in 2006 and 2007 doing the "Marine Technology" course which the last year was boat design mainly. I am a qualified composite and wooden boat builder now with almost 12-13 years experience...and very keen to get into design! let me know how you get on!

Cheers

[Karl Peterson]

Hey there kiwis,

I've been tring to find a yacht design job over there since January. I've calll up every designer I could find and all I've been able to come up with is a bunch of nice people and no jobs. I just graduated from the yacht design program at The Landing School, and that gave me everything except experiance. I looked into Unitec but I didnt see any program that would help me out with yacht design (other than just to broaden my maritime education in something else).

With no job prospects here in the US or over there in NZ, I'm just going to get some money together, head over there in September, meet with as many people as I can, and try to find a way to not have to come home. Any advise or suggestions would be awsome.

I wish you both the best of luck. We all need it now

[AaronM]

Hi all, Massey University does a transport design course that specialises in boat design
http://creative.massey.ac.nz/massey/.../transport.cfm
Sorry for the shameless plug - I'm currently studying here I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in design

[Kiwi in ghana]

Hi ,

I am a kiwi living in Ghana . I have an old 1971 Fast crew boat in Ghana . I wish to look at converting this to a pleasure power boat , along the lines of a 1930 luxary yacht . Would be interested to know if any one out would like to get involved in the project .
The vessel is currently based at Miemia beach in Ghana were we have a fishing lodge

[Kiwi in ghana]

Hi Kiwi in Ghana here again. Vessel is 103 foot long , about 5.5 meters wide . Interested to locate a yacht / naval designer to draft up and plan the mod .
Would be interested to hear fromamyone looking for a bit of tarvel and doing a bit design work etc.
E mail address is Milltrac"yahoo.com if need more details

Cheers

KIG

[Jenny Giles]

Originally Posted by AaronM

Hi all, Massey University does a transport design course that specialises in boat design
http://creative.massey.ac.nz/massey/.../transport.cfm
Sorry for the shameless plug - I'm currently studying here I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in design

Hello Aaron!
I note that the course is given through the Fine Arts department. How are the physics of boat design handled? Or is that not a major feature of the course?

TIA