Yacht and Boat Building Advice.

I'm very interested in building yachts and boats.

Quite happy to leave the design to specialists but would love to try and get work with companies like green marine, marten yachts, mcconaghy.

Obviously this is a goal that may never be achieved.

Where should I start and what should I do to become a very good boat builder?

Are there any courses... or should I just beg for jobs and work for free?

Thanks.

 

is there something like this in the uk or aus?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/training-courses/news/article.cfm?c_id=349&objectid=10535894

 

hmmm...seems this one is ok also.. but in the USA...

http://www.thelandingschool.org/composites/index.html


Is there a boat building course focusing on composites in the UK?

I know there are boat building courses... but I don't want to spend 90% of the time building in wood when I want to focus on compsites.

 

If you really are focused on the modern tech materials, then any of the companies that you mentioned would be a great place to learn. Starting with a school like the Landing School would help but is not necessary to begin in the business. Many of the best builders just started out in the parts room building bulkheads etc. If you apply at McConaghy, or the like, and show some enthusiasm you can usually make your way in. Having some training in hand tool usage and at least rudimentary training in composites will definitely help. Goetz Custom Boats in Rhode Island USA hires many from the Landing School.

 

Look here http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/links.html
Scroll down to the second section and you will see Boat Building and Design Schools. Most of those are in the US but some are in the UK and elsewhere. Such as the Boat Building Academy http://www.boatbuildingacademy.com/

 

Thanks all.

boat building academy in lyme regis focuses almost entirely on tranditional building.... ie. wood.... spoken to them already.

 

principles of yacht design

I started on college with this book "principles of yacht design" and then I did a course about painting and composite resins. But there is a lot to find on the internet about composites. So I don't think you have to work for free. You can do your theoretical education at home. What I think is the best way of learning is to start building a boat for your own.
It might cost a few bugs, but you will laugh about it in a few years.
(Ps. This was the advise the builder of the dragon's UK gave me!!)

 

Thanks Divine.

Probably solid advice.... probably even better if I tried to build my own boat and got an experienced builder to treat me like an apprentice....

I understand the principles of composites... my only real hands-on has been a bit of repair and a grp class where I made a box from a female mould...

so i guess my main concern is the quality of my work and the risk of having to throw away a boat load of materials.... and then start over..

thanks.

 

Yes indeed. I personally screwed up two boats already, but could repair it easily.
Good luck!!

 

Now, what would anyone recommend if I just wanted to understand everything going on but essentially just wanted to project manage builds instead?

I've got experience in PM work from other life...

Thanks

 

I am in the Landing School composites program now. you start with the basics then go into practice. We are building a International Lightning Class right now. From paper to loft floor to boat. We are learning more than just that though, we have optimised the hull for performance and been taught how to do so. We are now starting to cut stations for the strongback. The school has a lot to offer depending on how long you want to spend. Composites is 10 months. Biggest thing to know is that you will get out of it what you put in. If you want more info just reply in this forum and i will respond.

 

what would you expect to earn? at the start, In NZ there is a min wage, somewhere around the 12 ,
But I do not think you would qualify to enter NZ, or Au, and certainly not USA or Can, (in the industry)
So that limits you to Eu
I am looking at Eu now, starting to understand things well. a s you can see by map. tried Tr, labour is very cheap cost of living is v expensive
THAT big crowd UK,Fairline, laying off many but it is far cheaper to live in many parts Eu than UK.
the superyacht ind is still busy, Holland is out cos you cant sprecken de clogs
France also, leaves Germany
As an employer(was) I would look for real keeness, , like almost run when you are given a task

 

Apple Nation

I see your based in UK. I would recommend trying South Boats in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. An extremely well experienced outfit, excellent shipwrights. A wide range of skills bases and experience exists there. They would give you a very good education in learning about building boats, ally, GRP etc, not to mention the outfitting side.

 

thanks guys.

Especially Ad Hoc.

Whoosh - I can work in Aus & NZ as I have UK and AUs passports.

 

look up the marine xport group of NZ, was MAREX,
Sounds as though you are mature, but where you would get a start I do not know.
most of the superyacht builders in NZ need very skilled cabinet makers, used to solid wood working,
Sure its easy to get a job laying up hulls, but who would want this
I advertised here for skilled men, and got no replies worth considering, thats why I hesitate to start over in Au
marine ind is a very competitive game, I survived 85--01 my own company cos I had my own buildings, still this is way off topic,
good luck