Yacht Design School?

Tom Fexas

These are great writings, by Tom Fexas:
http://www.tomfexas.com/frame.html
Click 'Articles' on top of page.

Really need to read parts 3 and 4; good advice on education options and on who is naval architect.

 

I erased my post. It wasn't well thought out and I failed to make my point. My meaning was misunderstood. I agree with Ad Hoc that I wrote with too much emotion and not enough thought. Maybe I hadn't slept well.

I never meant to imply that an engineering degree was WAY better and the only way to go.

I also wasn't trying to say that the success of the students had nothing to do with Westlawn. Obviously it would have contributed to them as a whole and I'm positive they would have used things learned in their studies on a daily basis.

 

I agree with much that you've all written.
Westlawn is not an engineering degree. It can't hope to be. It doesn't pretend to be. Would it benefit from a greater engineering basis? Absolutely... but as a 4 year, part-time course, there are significant restraints placed on the amount of material that can be included, regardless of topic.
Equally, would those doing a more traditional NA degree benefit from a greater emphasis on small-craft design? Absolutely... you've all stated as much in your posts. But again - just how much can you fit into the curriculum of any given educational program.
I think it is encumbent on any professional to know the limits of their own knowledge. Where one is lacking in a full understanding, you have a responsibility to either employ the services of another who has that relevant knowledge, or take steps - additional learning - to ensure that you understand it yourself.
To acknowledge a lack of expertise in a particular area isn't to display ineptitude.... it is the mark of a resposnsible person. This is why there are companies that specialise in things like spar design, of high-tech composite engineering. That's why when you go to the doctor, he then refer's you on to a specialist....

As I've said repeatedly, education is an ongoing process. It is only those who think they know more than they really do that should be of concern to us all...

 

I feel bad for USRower considering how his post became somewhat hijacked over particulars of what label you can attach to the end of your name.

Apply at Westlawn because it's the best option for your situation. Then like Ted Brewer said in 'Understanding Boat Design', "Anyone going into the yacht design business should work as a draftsman, or assistant for a reputable naval architect for several years to gain practical experience. This is true for university and homestudy graduates."

It really won't matter which way you go. As long as your dedicated and find someone good to work for you'll learn the most once you are working with people in the field.

Besides the guys who have to actually build the boats you design will still call you the same foul mouthed names over every little unplanned problem whether you're a "real" Naval Architect or just a Yacht Designer

 

USRower, are you still here?

As an old coot, let me give you a bit of insight into life: your plans will change. Everything will change. Follow your dreams and what makes you feel good. Don't ever let yourself get locked in to a "career" unless you really love it because it will change - I guarantee you that - and you might find that you hate what it becomes. (Naval Architecture, for example, used to be done on paper. Now it is done on computers. Some people love that and some hate it. It is certainly worse for your shoulders!)

And as a very long-time rower (over 17000 miles logged before I quit counting ten years ago) don't ever quit rowing.

As for all this squabbling, just ignore it. If you are on the move right now, a correspondence course is about your only option. You say you want to design yachts? The vast majority of them are under 60' and either Westlawn or YDS will teach you to design them. Just say "Pah!" to those who believe otherwise. (Belief has no place in engineering.) Will you be welcome in every design firm you apply to? Probably not. But how many jobs can you hold at one time? Go to work for the firm that will accept your diploma. Then get experience and advance. If you are still a competitive rower right now, then you are still very young. You will be amazed at how much you will be able to do in your life before you die. Don't worry about doing it all right now, immediately. And don't plan it all too tightly. Life will take you where it will and your plans will fall apart at some point. The better course is to go with what life brings you and build upon your past - both the education and the experience. Neither is worth much without the other, but a good education coupled with good experience will make you very valuable.
For example, you could take your correspondence course while you are touring and when you settle down, find a design firm who will hire you and is near a university with a good NA or OE program. (And good rowing water - GoogleEarth the place first!) If you like the work and feel no need for further education, fine. If you like the work and feel like advancing your education, the school is right there. If you find that you don't like the work or if some twist of fate takes you away from there, then I guess it's time to find another forum and start asking questions again.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

 

Somewhat of a hypothetical question, but what if one were to successfully complete the Westlawn course, and then if one felt there were a need one could then complement the Westlawn training with a few calculus-based courses in mechanical engineering? Would the combined training be up to the level of rigor of an engineering degree, but with the added advantage of a large amount of knowledge specific to small boat design, knowledge you would not get from a university-based engineering program? This alone would not give a university degree, but as a matter of level of training, would it not be a very high level of training?

As an elaboration of the thought presented above, what about completing the Westlawn course, and then obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering or a similar program at a local university? It seems to me that such a program would leave very few holes in the training of a small boat designer, even to the point of providing full engineering rigor and a university degree.

 

Note for readers from outside North America: "Course" used here refers to a lecture/class which meets serveral times a week for several months. Four-year degree is generally a "Bachelor" degree. Receiving a Bachelor degree in the US generally requires successful completion of 25 to 30 courses.

I'm not a Westlawn student or alumini, but I have reviewed their curriculum, read "The Masthead" (Westlawn's quarterly journal), visited their booth at IBEX, and read various comments from Westlawn students which have been posted here and elsewhere. The Westlawn program appears to be reasonably complete in terms of what's needed to start designing boats, but it is not equivalent to a four-year engineering degree from a US university. My impression is it's somewhat equivalent to a good one year program in engineering design, but is very different than a four-year engineering curriculum. The Westlawn program appears to concentrate on what's needed to design boats, with a very pragmatic and perhaps somewhat emperical focus.

I've read several suggestions that a good path to a career in boat design is a degree in naval architecture or mechanical engineering, and the Westlawn course or the Landing School boat design course. I assume the technical aspects of a boat design course should not be a challenge to someone with a four-year engineering or physics degree.

The Westlawn course is not preparation for courses which are part of a four-year engineering degree. How well an individual could do taking selected courses from a four-year engineering degree curiculum depends on the individual's background and apptitude. Obviously suitable math proficency is required, as is background in physics and for some courses, chemistry. More advanced engineering courses build upon the fundamentals learned in earlier courses. Someone who already has an engineering or physics four-year degree (or equivalent) would probably be successful provided they have or obtain any specialized background knowledge needed for a particular course.

 

In my case, I have a BS in Chemistry with a minor in physics. I also have a PhD in physical chemistry. Math background includes taking courses in or otherwise becoming more or less proficient in calculus, vector calculus, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, matrix algebra, complex variable analysis, numerical analysis (alas, not including finite element methods as these were not widely taught at the time), and Fourier transforms. Most of my coursework was taken many years ago, so some of my math may be a bit rusty, but some of my math is still pretty good. For example, I am currently working on two collaborative papers where I use Fourier transform methods to do certain kinds of calculations.

I think my math and physics background would probably be adequate for taking engineering classes, though I might need to brush up a bit in some areas. My big question is whether I really want to learn small craft design, and if so then what approach would be best for me, i.e. Westlawn alone or a full-blown engineering degree or Westlawn augmented with some basic engineering classes taken on a non-degree basis or Westlawn combined with a full-blown engineering degree.

 

Those certainly are major questions. Some possible thought starters (no need to answer):

- Why are you interested in learning about designing small craft? Change of career, avocation which could grow into a profitable business, strictly an avocation, personal interest, design a boat for yourself, ....?

- What's your goal? Design boats as an individual? Working in a job involving boat design? A business employing others?

- If it's a change in career how long can you spend as a full time student including paying tuition fees. How soon would you need to start earning an income beyond just breaking even?

- How much do you know about boat design already?

- What else is involved with your interest in designing boats? A move to a different location? Being self employed? Desire to make the world a better place by designing boats? Fame?

- Do you have any experience with "design" of any types of objects?

- How flexible are you for location? Is there an engineering school near you with a relevant program or would you need to relocate?

- Do you have any contacts which might help in gaining expereince in boat design?

- How do you effectively learn? Taking classes with lectures and assignments? Self study in a structured program with recommended reading and tasks? Self study on your own? Tutorials with an "expert"? Apprenticeship with an expert who oversees your efforts, provides guidance and answers questions? Trial and error - doing something and then finding out why it didn't work or what could have been done better?

 

One advantage of self study and/or a program such as Westlawn or YDS is you can start with a low investment and do not need to make a major commitment. You can discover how interested you really are.

 

I would suggest that your maths proficiency is of a higher ability than the average Westlawn student. Also looking at the course content, it is clear advanced maths proficiency is not essential.

That hits the nail on the head.

What is your motivation behind embarking on such a course, or path. Once you address this, you’re in a better position to recognise the path/route that you need to take to achieve your desired gaol. It seems many rush on without really addressing their motivation and real objectives.

 

Concur. They don't even need to know what section modulus is

In general, boat design career might look bright and promising but most of us can't make wealthy living by designing boats. If it is a hobby that makes some money - then welcome.

 

Its hard to give advice to somebody about career choices when you do not really know them.

My two cents for NA degree based on my research, and if I was a single youngster:

If I had the ability to travel but did not have a lot of money I would really consider Webb Institute.

If I wanted and could afford to attend a 4 year University for ship design I would pick Stevens Institute of Technology.

For a well rounded Large 4 year University I would pick NA at University of Michigan.

For learning and working, I would work during the day at a boat design house/builder/yard, and take the Westlawn course at night.

Which is best for you I can't say. This is something you need to explore for yourself.

Mark

 

Two days ago I talked to someone who graduated from the Landing School as well as receiving an bachelors degree in naval architecture. When I get a few spare minutes I will post what I learned from him. However, in brief, both were great programs, and the overlap in the training between the two is only partial.

 

RINA Accredits Westlawn's Yacht & Boat Design Program

RINA Accredits Westlawn's Yacht & Boat Design Program

RINA Chief Executive, Trevor Blakeley, stated, "Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology has a well deserved international reputation for its programmes, and it is a pleasure for the Royal Institution of Naval Architects as an international professional society to accredit its Yacht & Boat Design Course."

Not only does this recognize the breadth and quality of the Westlawn program, but adding RINA accreditation to our long-standing DETC accreditation provides our students and alumni with an additional international confirmation of the marine industry’s broad acceptance of Westlawn Institute training.

To read complete details go to:
http://www.westlawn.edu/news/index.asp?displayfile=RINAaccreditation.htm

Dave Gerr, Director
Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology
www.westlawn.edu