simple small boat design software

hello, I'm trying to find some software to help me design smaller boats.
specifically, i'm trying to find something that will help me design kayaks.
i can't really find anything, so i thought i'd ask. it needs to be from free to pretty cheap. can't be really expensive.
and, as i'm kinda new to CAD programs, user friendliness is a must-i just need some simple easy to use program that will allow me to design kayaks.
i've got some sketches of some recreational, touring, and sailing kayaks that i made, and i would like to model them, and be able to see design flaws on the computer before i finalize the designs.

the eventual idea is to turn my designs into a commercial product line.

thanks all for helping the newbie.

 

Freeship. It is freeware, relatively simple to use (but it DOES have a learning curve), and gives you all the hydrostatics, stability and resistance calculations you need for kayaks.
You can download it from this site: http://freeship-plus.land.ru/downloadsE.html

You need to download and install the full 3.1+ vesion first, and then the latest update.

 

Hullform. But it is not free. Learning curve is easy

 

my thanks

 

Freeship + as daiquiri mentioned.

Not really steep the learning curve. And use the search function here (and for the basically similar Delftship) to find good tutorials.

Regards
Richard

 

I forgot to add, hullform has a free demo version. you can try it then decide. As the name of the program says, it is only for hull design.

Freeship is much more sophisticated. I am using it but I always go back to hullform for quick simple hull design or just playing around.

 

Concur with that; I use it for fiddling around with ideas, but occasionally also for a complete hull shape. But when I see the possibilities of Freeship, I realize that one should take a close look there!

 

okay, i'm having trouble with some of the more advanced aspects of the design, along with the other simpler designs.
i need to render a playboat (one length), a sit on recreational boat (several lengths) a sit in rec boat (several lengths, a touring boat (two lengths), and a sailing/touring boat (one length).
the sail/tour boat is proving to be the most trouble-i need something that can render sailing rigs, hatches, containers, wiring, battery, outrigger arms, and most importantly, the stabilizing hydrofoils.
also, i need to be able to calculate the area, shape, and angle of the foils so they can be effective. the free programs are not really managing that, i'm just gonna have to suck up the cost and buy the program that can create all of those things. what would be the ideal program?
would it be a naval design or more a pure CAD program?

thanks.

 

D-Man,

Try Hulls by Carlson Design, www.carlsondesign.com The freeware download is easily located on his site and there are minimal tutorials that can help you through some of the confusing stuff. Truly, you can't expect much from the simpler, cost free software when it comes to documentation. Freeware has some decent written material to get you going, but it's going to take some hours in the chair to get it under control. It's all about putting in the time, asking questions of those who have gone before you and making some reasonable connections in the process that open new doors and new realizations.

Pose your questions over at the Wooden Boat Forum on the Designs/Plans segment http://forum.woodenboat.com/forumdisplay.php?2-Designs-Plans and you'll get a whole different set of folks who are functioning at everything from rank beginner mode, to accomplished designer. Do make use of the archives and the search function at whatever site you do your snooping, as there is a rich cascade of info at your finger tips to help you figure out the morass before you.

The second you move beyond the freeware/shareware arena, there are several nice programs out there that do have extensive documentation, tons of examples from folks who do this all the time and online classes, in some cases, that allow you to grow your understanding incrementally.

Most of all, make it fun to wander down the path and ask for help as often as you need it.

For more advanced stuff, write a letter to Baeckmo, as shown above and seriously look into Rhino 3D. I have used Rhino for years now for design work and it is incredibly good for flat panel design, as well as smooth hull variations. As a modeling program, it is pretty much a standard in many small, to medium, design shops worldwide and it is affordable. Some examples of both styles are shown below.

Laters,

 

okay, thanks.
got some experience in Rino already, it'llhelp.
I probably will try to find a course in CAD design so I will know what i'm doing.

Thanks again