MacNaughton vs. Westlawn

Ok guys. I recently received word that MacNaughton isn't what I was looking for in a Yacht Design School. I wanted to hear some response as to what other students or prospective students have learned. By far, Westawn is more my stream of design but MacNaughton claims to teach so much more than any other. ALSO, if I choose to not go with MacNaughton, is there a way to get some financial aid for Westlawn? I am just 21 and fresh out of college money from mom and dad, unfortunately my credit isnt good enough to just swipe the plastic. Let me know what anyone thinks. THANKS!
-ZGreen

 

I just had a look at the westlawn site and personally they seem to focus on the styles of boat that I would prefer. That's just my opinion.

 

Don't beleive that the school will teach you to design in a spesial "style". The school can teach you some methods but you must develop your own style. I have just received the first two lessons from MacNaughton and think they look promising. The course overview looks relevant for a single person going to operate his own business. I graduated as a naval architecht with a ms.c. in engineering some years ago, and think that MacNaughton will give some knowledge of small boat design that the university did not.

 

Give them a call

I bought some scantling books from MacNaughton. Surfed their web sight. It read if you have a question give Tom a call. So I did. He answered my questions and a few emails. Very serious honest man.

Consider that my rounded cat design is not at all in line with his style of design, He even offered to help engineer the cross beams.


Might want to email him your precise questions in advance.

 

I am a graduated from the Westlawn that I have completed in 2 years mailing the lessons from Switzerland. I am very pround for my diploma and I have learned a lot.
I say only "Thanks WESTLAWN..."

RANCHI Otto

 

Westlawn vs Wages

Z,
Why not give the oldest method a try? See if you can find a place to work in the boat building industry? It might involve a lower paying (entry) position and you may have to take what your area has to offer to use this course of action.

The reason I suggest this is that most likely your PC knowledge could be an asset that you may not be able to value in a small builder's setting. Many small businesses aren't up to speed in the digital world so they haven't modernized beyond the PC that keeps accounts. Just the average PC literate man today can be worth the value of a consultant to someone who has not kept up. Not that a small business man can often pay the 100+ and hour for outside help. As a result these folks have often 'written-off' the idea of modernization beyond tool improvement they can readily understand.

If a smaller builder were to consider NC controlled equipment, or a host of other building improvements-they often avoid the step because of the learning curve. You may find that learning easy if you have PC experience, and that value might make a new employee valuable. So the possibilities of finding work, on which to base a growing career, may be much more possible than the want ads indicate.

If your future is really in yacht design working in a builder's office doing 1MM other 'things' might be a toe in the door -with a wage -even though not likely to be high. If you're a man of singular determination, you could fill the voids -pick up the slack and help a specialty builder (one or two types of boats) improve his operation and you'd get some great real world experience that will be useful when you become a designer.

If you aspire to share design notes with Tom Fexas, (a Westlawn man) in a fine white tropical suit, with a white Panama, a pencil thin mustache and 500$ shades; you will find extremely valuable experience by starting with a small builder who could use a man with a set of skills that he doesn't have -especially since a 8-5 (6-6 is more likely in boat building) will leave evenings free for the other 4 hours a day Westlawn will take.

A wage may not be the fastest way to pay for Westlawn's freight, but coupled with a day time boat building job -you'd be learning at a much higher rate than others.

wishing you good fortune from a Westlawn advocate,
and as they say at W'ln;
Cheers,
kmorin

 

I have considered this option...
Where do I look to find a job in the boat building industry. Most all boat building that I am familiar with or have come close to include; SeaRay, Jefferson Yachts, BAJA, Bayliner, Somerset House Boats, and a few other big-name builders. I wouldn't know how to try to get in with them. By smaller boat builders I assume you mean not as main stream. I just don't know how to find anyone that does that. Would a small boat builder hire a person without a degree? Let me know if you have an idea on where to look for employment. I would love to do it the old fashioned way, so to speak. I think hands on is much more practical than sitting at my home office, sketching, doing work, then going to my retail job folding clothes which has NOTHING to do with boats at all.

I have applied to a few boat dealers around Cincinnati OH, where I live, but they basically laugh when I tell them I am interested in employment either in sales or I would even sweep the floors. I just want to be around boats. It looks like I may have to move right away. I don't want to move and be left hanging though.

Do you see where I am coming from? Where do I start?!?!

 

Where to start

Z,
Its possible all the major firms have waiting lists as they may well be union firms or at least populated by folks that want to keep their jobs. Its also very possible they want people who've been through some vo-tech training program before they'll consider an application.

I have no idea if they're listed but a "google" search of boats, boat building and the various related strings might help discover someone in your area. Then I'd give the old yellow pages a once over in the nearest area codes. Often these can be searched online from home so you don't have to drive to learn who may be out there.

What about the local dealers? Couldn't you ask if there are any custom builders, one-off builders or specialty boat builders in the area? Ohio is so agricultural to me (from here it all looks flat and dry) that I have no concept about what's in that market.

Are there any restoration people around? Are there boat repair yards associated with dealers? Often these folks are NOT the dealership but do one of three basic materials repairs. Metal, plastic or wood- (wood maybe restoration oriented) all of these trades are hull defined but there may be engine or electrical system's services all of which might be an opening.

I'd say the boat pages of magazines online- the back pages where the smaller ads reside- might hold some leads - but I have no feel for the geography and understand that moving around without some place to hang your hat is unwise.

Word of mouth about smaller -even one man- operations should be at least rumored around a dealership? I'd look for someone to do boat repair, then ask them who they know that builds? Then find that operation and look to see how they're set up.

I know I'm little help since I live so far away and have no feel for the lay of the land in Ohio. I'd still like to encourage any young man who is willing to start with broom on his way to the designer's board to keep at his goal.

Cheers,
kmorin

 

You know, it's much appreciated to hear what someone like you has to say. I can't say that anyone has been more helpful. I like that you can see I have a huge goal. I am going to give a few dealerships a call. I know of one hull-repair shop down by the river. I am also going to give them a call to see if they know of any boat builders in the area. I know that through word of mouth sometimes things spread faster. The yellowpages haven't proved very successfull. I will be in contact, thanks again for your guidance!

GREAT THANKS

P.S. I do plan to move coastal when I have a little more experience. I do want to make it bigger than The Ohio River. Have you heard of Jefferson Yachts? They are a huge company that started from the Ohio....

-zack green

zgreen922@yahoo.com