Anyone know of a Boat Design Software That Will...

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by pede69, May 20, 2014.

  1. pede69
    Joined: Jun 2013
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    pede69 Junior Member

    Is there such a thing as a boat design software program that has a design wizard?

    It just ask you all the necessary questions about what it is you wish to build and then you click "Go" or whatever, and it designs it.

    Thanks,
    John
     
  2. pede69
    Joined: Jun 2013
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    pede69 Junior Member

    If not... does anyone know where there is a free design for a flat bottom boat that is about 22-24 feet long and 8 feet wide?

    Thanks,
    John
     
  3. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
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    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    No, that kind of software doesn't exist. Sadly, there is possibility that one day we shall arrive to that point too. Hope not too soon though.

    What kind of boat? Power, sail, rowing, bass boat or something else...?
     
  4. TANSL
    Joined: Sep 2011
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    TANSL Senior Member

    pede69, with absolute respect towards you, since I know nothing of you, for your question I gather that you have no knowledge of ship design nor naval architecture. If that is true, there is no software on the market, nor ever will be, that, in your present circumstances, you can use. However, if you promise to study a little, I offer you, free of charge, my software ARQN and counseling for you (both) can make a boat that is not too complicated.
    Cheers
     
  5. pede69
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    pede69 Junior Member

    Thanks for the responses...

    Sorry I was to vague.

    Strictly power fishing boat.

    With a TON of room inside.

    Basically... I want the room of a Pontoon boat that is 22+ feet. Mainly for salt and fresh river fishing.

    Thank you,
    John
     
  6. pede69
    Joined: Jun 2013
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    pede69 Junior Member

    TANSL...

    Thank you for the kind offer.

    You are correct as far as boat design and building go.

    I do have a small woodshop and small metal shop and have made most anything you can think of, except of course wooden boats.

    Your offer is a generious one and I would be very happy to take you up on it.

    Thank you,
    John

    PS - Only thing is, It may be a couple of months before the build would start but that would give me a great opportunity to learn the software. Again, thank you for your graciousness.
    Should you wish to contact me through email, it is riverdude at cfl dot rr dot com
     
  7. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Welcome to the forum John.

    As has been eluded too, just learning the software will help very little except in making pictures of boat shaped things on the screen.

    Free plans are usually free for a reason. The cost of a reasonable set of plans will be less then you spend on materials or an engine or electronics, or epoxy, etc., so savings in this area is a questionable decision.

    With most designs, it's best to establish a set of goals for the project first, so you have something to shoot for. You've listed a rough length and beam, but that's about it. These dimensions cover about 70% of the designs out there for small pleasure power craft, so more refinement is in order. Target speed, expected sea state conditions, approximate weight capacity (crew, stores, etc.), range, hull form preferences, ergonomics considerations, etc., all need to be addressed, before you can intelligently select from the available designs. As to self designing one, well it's possible but requires considerable study in several fields (engineering, hydrodynamics, etc.), before a successful project can come of it, so consider a set of plans, preferably from a respectable source. Check out Glen-L.com and Bateau.com for some designs.
     
  8. messabout
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    messabout Senior Member

    Pede69, Par is being politely non commercial here. He almost surely has plans for such a boat. That is what he does for a living. His and other designers advice are ironclad bits of wisdom.

    Do yourself a huge favor, buy a set of plans from an acknowledged designer/builder. You will save a lot of money and tons of aggravation and disappointment in the long run. That assertion is also an ironclad reality.

    If you are to run out of Daytona on any day other than a perfect one, you may be better served by a bottom that is not completely flat. Getting sound, reliable advice and reasoning from pro designers is part of the deal when you engage one of them.

    In this case, Par is in Eustis, an easy drive from Daytona. Enough said.
     
  9. pede69
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    pede69 Junior Member

    Thanks PAR...

    I'll take your advice to heart.

    I'm at a bit of a loss though. Maybe over the past two years and the hundreds of boat designs I've looked at (mainly free ones), I've overlooked one, but I don't recall ever finding one that was around 22' with an 8' beam. Now you give cause for me to start looking again.

    As far as all the formal training you mentioned, I'm sure that would surely make a fine boat builder indeed.

    However, being from a fishing family and growing up at waters edge around shrimpers, crabbers and mullet fishermen, I can tell you that there are many, many small boat builders that built very fine, sturdy, long lasting boats around where I am from, Mobile Alabama.

    In fact, my uncle Bob before passing built many a fine boat in the under 30' fishing boat class and never even finished the 6th. grade.

    I can learn to build a basic fishing skiff I guess.

    I just want a flat bottom river boat with lots of room for my handicapped kid.

    Thank you again for your time,
    John
     
  10. pede69
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    pede69 Junior Member

    Thanks messabout.

    Wow... Eustis.

    Yep... not far at all.
     
  11. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    One of the Glen-L power dories will likely do, though once you get into the bigger ones, they'll max the beam to 8' 6" (max trailerable, without permits).

    Yes, old school sailors and fisherman will build "free style" craft, but these are usually not much of a deviation, from what they've well known and built for years (decades), so not much much of an mental exercise. If you have this level of boat building experience, you can likely build a boat that will serve. It will not be as efficient, nor as comfortable in a chop or as fast as a properly designed boat, but yeah, it'll probably float and they usually don't kill very many sailors and fisherman. In this same vain, those that are serious, generally value their asses a fair bit and opt for proven designs, often after JoeLarry their uncle, never came home after a long outing in his self designed, well loved craft.

    Have a look at Glen-L's "Party Boat" which can be built at 22'. It's not a flat bottom, but just a modest V and has lots of room inside. It's what I'd call a deckboat and plans are a couple of hundred bucks. Hell a few weekends blasting around will eat up more then this in fuel. I'm not sure of your flat bottom preference, but bigger flat bottoms are fairly uncommon, mostly because they pound badly in any kind of chop. If you insist, there are a few jon boat and garvey designs available.

    It also helps to define what your skill sets are for a project like this. Do you want a traditional build or a modern one. Have you any goo experience and what materials will you be most comfortable working in, etc. Again, the more you define your needs, desires and skill sets, the easier the choices become. Lastly, I'm not sure what has shot down the possible hundreds of designs you've looked at previously, but styling concerns can be altered on any boat. Say you've found a design that hits all opf your buttons, but it looks like it rolled right out of the 1950's. Well, cut those tail fins off and change the other bits of "garnish", it's not going to hurt a thing. Naturally, it's wise to leave the running surfaces alone and keep the weights within reasons, plus you could even convert the building process for say a carvel to a taped seam (for example). This is sort of like designing your own boat and it would certainly be "your" boat, at least your version of whatever it actually is.
     
  12. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    Actually John, you may have hit on something here, by way of a business opportunity. You could set up a website where people can choose from a large selection of options involving all sorts of parameters, and at the end of it, get a list of available designs that fit all the selected criteria. Or maybe such a site already exists. Naturally, if you select say, "low budget" and "aircraft carrier", together in the wish list, there will be no selections ! :D
     
  13. daiquiri
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    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    Don't underestimate the Chinese... :p
     
  14. pede69
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    pede69 Junior Member

    PAR... Thanks for your response and courtesy.

    You hit the nail on the head. It IS basically a deck boat that I want. Why that did not just pop out at me, I don't know. Again, thank you.

    Mr Efficiency... funny you should mention that, I build websites as well. I'll have a look-see at that Idea. Thanks.
     

  15. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Give me a call and we likely can find you something that will work, but as I mentioned, there's a huge selection, in this size range. Flat bottom boats have some advantages, but also some disadvantages to consider, so pick your poison wisely. Build speed isn't really much affected with a V to flat bottom comparison, when you count up all the hours in a typical 22' powerboat build.
     
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