designer wanted

I need someone to draw up plans for an old style ( think 1950s ) 18' daysailer. You do not need to be a working professional but must have successfully completed a yacht design course and have a few complete designs you can show me. This is not a project that leaves much room to impart your individual style but may have a couple of interesting challenges. It will require someone with more artistry than engineering and the plans MUST be hand drawn. Construction will start in September and I need to gather materials in August so we are under a bit of a time constraint. So, if there are any dinosaurs out there with an interest in working on a pretty little boat which you will be proud of; please contact me at noodles2@charter.net. You will be fairly compensated for your time and talent and if any professionals just want a break and chance to go back to your roots please e-mail. This IS NOT a " who can do it cheapest " contest and all replies will be kept confidential. I'm just tired of waiting for responses from firms who are too busy or not interested in my little project.

 

May I ask why you are insistent on hand drawn plans. If they were to simply hang on the wall as a piece of art, then I could understand, but as you are going to build it....
Then again, perhaps you want to do both

 

IMHO yacht design is an art as is the construction of a small wooden boat. Why go thru the sweat and expense of building a wooden boat when you can buy one popped out of a mold? The fiberglass boat will likely do everything as well as the wooden boat but there is certainly something missing, is'nt there? Just as that wooden boat will have flaws such as a poor joint or mismatched wood grain, so will those hand drawn plans, and each will have more character because of it. If I wanted a sterile boat I would buy a Hunter and that is how I equate CAD drawings. I once did a lot of architectural drafting and was proud of my presentation and line quality - it is simply something I enjoyed. I like looking at the complexity of Al Mason's work and the simplicity of others who just knew how to draw that perfect sheer line. There was humanity in those drawings - not so with CAD. With CAD we remove the artist in favor of efficiency. I'm fully aware of the benefits that CAD can offer and by all means I favor the use of computors for calculations. Just keep in mind that we are building a brand new 50 year old boat and that is the mindset we need, and that can best be achieved with pen and pencil IMHO.
And yes Will, those drawings will hang on the wall so I can look at them on those cold winter nights when my little boat is buried under the snow! Now please do not use this thread to start a debate or rant on the value of CAD - this is just what this man wants for his money.

 

No probs...just asking

 

Why not just buy plans for an old design? There are dozens of designs out ther for small sailboats. get an old Atkins, or Garden design?

 

Because I have owned enough boats to know exactly what I want, and it is not out there, Mark. I'm tired of dealing with all the inherent problems in production boats or someone else's "improved" wood boat. No more restorations either, I want to work with 'new' clean wood. I also have boxes of bronze hardware I need to put to use. Basically the same reasons you designed and built your boat, eh? If I was not so mathematicaly challenged I would dig out my 30 year old Westlawn course and do the design myself. I may need to do just that and hope that experience will make up for my lack of technical skill. Now, is'nt there someone out there who wants to save an old guy from drowning

 

Designing your own

Another option is to do the basic design of the boat yourself and have the plans checked by a qualified NA before making final drawings, and having them checked again.

Making drawings by hand is labor intensive and good NA's are expensive.

The added benefit of having designed your own boat is priceless.

 

THAT is an excellent idea SeaSpark !! However, I am under a time constraint, just sold my drafting table last year, will need to purchase curves, ducks etc. But if that is the only way I can get this done I guess I'll need to do so. I think I have always felt there were enough yacht design students who made it farther than I did ( lost on the 1st math problem ) but did not go on to become a professional. Seems like all the young people studying this field must have plenty of money if no one is interested in an earned commission, even if it is a small boat.

 

MG,

First off, welcome to the forum.

You sound as if you would be a demanding & particular customer. Nothing wrong with that, its even commendable IMO to expect for your needs to be met.

But I think the way you are presenting your request is making people weary. Even if not so, it sounds as if you would be hard to please.

Give it some time. I'm sure some would see doing what you propose as a nice change from the normal.

Tim

 

Shortcuts

-acquire the plans for a boat with a hull shape that suits your needs
-Build the hull
-Eyeball the superstructure and interior, build mockups from cheap materials
-Build the final product using these templates
-Produce or have produced an ink drawing of the result

 

Thanks for the your comments, guys. I have decided to proceed on my own. I would be too demanding as a client since I am really only looking for a draftsman to put my ideas down on paper - with no design input what so ever! I guess it is really not fair to ask that of someone who has put forth the effort to become a competent designer. I will ask a pro to check my work at some point, however.

 

George,

The boat will definetly be "yours" in the fullest extent of the word.

Flydog just launched a beautiful little sailboat. He kept us updated with images & text throughout the building process. It was interesting & enjoyable to follow his progress.

When you get to the construction phase you may consider doing the same. People really gave alot of encouragement, and advice, when requested, to him.

Have a good one.

Tim