Senior design project help

Hmmm, interesting thread, and one which highlights the fact that the design work is being thought of as "Hydrodynamics and then some mechanical bits" and not the synergy of "All the bits must work together or we're not going anywhere".

So, observations:

1) Decide what you want and write it down (see attached as a good starting point).

2) Look at what's already been done
-- 2 adults and camping looks something like this: http://wayfarer.org.uk
-- 2 adults and cruising maybe this: http://www.beneteau.com/Sailing-Yachts/First/First-20
-- 2 adults and a bit more performance, perhaps like this: http://www.i550sportboat.com/

3) KEEP IT SIMPLE - especially if you have to build it as well.

4) You will find plenty of mechanical engineering questions in this project. Notably:
-- How do you design the structure so that you don't break the boat first time out.
-- How to you hold the rig up, and size parts accordingly, for a given maximum load case.
-- How do you hold the keel on (and articulate it if centreboard or lifting keel).
-- How do you mount and control the rudder - can you fit (or retrofit an autopilot).
-- How do you make sure that blocks don't pull out of the deck under load.

5) Don't get too hung up on the hydrodynamics. It needs to work, and you need to explain WHY it works (and give qualitative statements as to the effect of daggerboards, foil sections etc.), but you are doing a MECH Eng project.

6) For a lot of this stuff, you need to show you've thought about it and understood it, at least to a degree. Making a decision not to include it, but identifying where and how you could shows skill in design.

7) Quality of design. You really should be proving your ability to design all aspects of the boat before building. This probably means a 3D CAD drawing, 2D drawings of bulkheads, details etc. Exploded views where necessary, local 3D views etc. etc. Ideally the drawings should be good enough for someone on another continent to build the boat without having to ask you questions. Get hold of some plans and look at the level of detailing. You'll soon see which are good.

8) Keep a log of all your decisions, doodles and ideas. It'll make the write-up a lot easier. It's something I'm very bad at.

This is quite a big project, but it is possible, and can be done well. It's going to take a lot of time, effort and investigation. Ask good questions and I'm sure the forum members will do what they can to help.

Good luck,

Tim B.

 

Thanks for the post Tim. Thats exactly what iv been thinking this whole time. =)