How do I become a boat designer?

I am a graduate of the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, and I am currently doing an Ocean Engineering Masters degree program at Virginia Tech. I did an undergraduate thesis in the hydrodynamics of stepped planing hulls. I also wrote a paper for the 2006 Classic Yacht Symposium on a 1904 racing boat. I've worked at Bath Iron Works, and the Swedish national towing tank.

With this in mind, I am unemployed and living in East Rochester, NY. I am currently volunteering as an assistant High School track coach.

I would like to stay in Rochester, however there is no job for a naval architect within about 100 miles of here. I can't even get a job as an engineer, because they don't understand that a Naval Architect knows everything from electrical to mechanical to structural engineering.

So I thought -- I am right near Lake Ontario, the Erie Canal, and the Finger Lakes... I have a degree in Naval Architecture... Maybe I can find a way to get paid to design boats? I didn't get much past that. Can anybody help?

 

Well, that's a tough one because it seems like everybody takes a different path. Some start out as an apprentice for no pay, others start out creating designs and trying to sell them (Definitely the hard way).

Others find a job for a boat design firm as a gofer doing whatever they are asked to do until they work their way into something better.

I would think that with your credentials you would have a lot of opportunites but probably not in upsate NY. Professional Boat Builder has a careers website at. www.proboatcareers.com. The National Marine Manufacturers Association has job listings in the industry at http://www.nmma.org/jobmart/. Also try Webb. Don't they have a service that helps grads find jobs?

Last but certainly not least, there are a lot of boat builder in upstate New York . You can get a list of them at the Coast Guard's boating safety web site at http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_database.htm. Put in New York in the sate field and click on search. However, this will give you both in business and out of business manufacturers. Select New York and put in a city name and it will give you a much smaller selection. Or you can call 202-267-0984. Ask for Dick Blackman or Rick Gipe. They'll print a list and e-mail, fax, or mail it to you. AND it's FREE.

Once you've got that, start sending your resume'. Frankly most of them are Mom and Pop shops but there are a few that a bigger than that. I did a quick search and the only active builder in Rochester builds canoes and kayaks. Not exactly what you're looking for I imagine.

 

Bito,
You are certainly qualified from an education stand point. Here are my thoughts as someone who is far less educated and likes to play designer when I have time. Pick an area of the industry you have a passion for that also has something pertinent to the Rochester area. Study all the boats in your area for ways they can be improved. Then start drawing boats, as many as you can. Build a portfolio and shop it around, this is a good place to get your stuff noticed and picked apart ;-). Every time I draw a boat I learn a lot of things I wasn’t even thinking about when I started. A good design that is original is very rare and sometimes misunderstood so you have to be persistent but if you want to make a living do not buck the trends to much. Remember the first boat was probably a small improvement on the floating log.
Gary

 

Thanks for the links, IKE -- there are sure a lot of boatyards that are out of business near me. I think I will check out that canoe builder! Webb does have a job service for graduates, however they have no jobs in Rochester. I actually have a few companies knocking at my door, trying to recruit me. I'm trying to stay out here as long as the food lasts!

Duluthboats -- after I create a portfolio, who do I show it to? It seems to be a real hit-and-miss process. Doug Zurn came and talked at our school and said that he drew a boat and took it to a show, and Billy Joel just happened to like it -- and then there he was, getting paid well for the next 5 years.

Are there any designers who would pay me to do contract work off-site? I've got three drafting desks here and a high speed internet connection.

 

Traveling shoes

Such problems! You have the education that many would love to have on their resume. First thing you need to do is decide what you want to do when you grow up. I mean does your interest lie in aircraft carriers, the oil and gas industry, other military ships or with small craft? Or maybe you can't be sure without trying it out. The best place for the ship stuff is the SNAME web site. You can even post your resume. For oil and gas try the rigzone website.

I would look at it as an opportunity to kiss East Rochester goodbye. I was recently on a job hunt and found many companies looking to hire people on a contract to hire basis. That would have been fine for me 20 years and two kids ago but not now. In fact, I have worked in boat design in several states and in Japan. If your situation will allow it, let some employer pay you to see another part of the world. East Rochester will still be there if you want to go back. (you won't) What you don't want to do is let a couple of years worth of dust collect on your expensive diploma. With no experience prospective employers at least want your book skills sharp.

Canoe builder? Don't waste your time.

Good luck!

Companies that handle placement in ship building:

Spencer Services
P.O. Box 25187
Colorado Springs, Colorado USA 80936
phone: 719-522-1077

Ideal Technical Services
26148 Capital Drive Suite B
Daphne, Alabama USA 36526
phone: 800-370-8495
fax: 800-264-6702

http://www.rigzone.com/
(had 489 engineering jobs posted this morning)

http://www.sname.org/index.shtml
(about 50 jobs posted)

 

dereksireci,
Go easy on the boy. Some of us never figure out what we want to do when we grow up! I'm 51, and I STILL don't know.
Steve "seriously"

 

Hey, I'm 61, retired (for the second time) and I still haven't figured out what I want ot be when I grow up!

 

I wanted to do the same as you, be a boat designer. Life got in the way, A war, marriage, kids etc. I also had to move out of my comfortable environment (Seattle). I ended up having a great career that at least 20 years of which was envolved with boat design and boat building, I got to see the whole country (all 50 states) at least 5 other countries, and enjoyed myself immensely. So don't panic if you have to take another road to get where you want to be. I have a friend who has a NA degree from Michigan. He went to work for Chrylser designing cars, eventually became Chief engineer at Chris Craft, worked for the Coast Guard as an NA for 23 years and now has a great retirement. Sometimes the path we take isn't what we planned, but can be just as much fun and rewarding. So, don't discount opportunities that present themselves. When a door opens step through and see what's on the other side. Just don't lock it behind you.

Just a little bit of my philosophy on life.

 

I re-read you post about Doug Zurn. If you read the article about him in Professional Boat Builder http://www.proboat.com you'll find out that it wasn't an instant success type of thing. He had a day job and didn't give it up until Billy Joel made him well known. But his model is a good way to go.

Go to boat shows. Do some networking. Go to Symposiums. Surely you must have met some people at the Classic Yacht Symposium? Also try the Society of Small Craft Designers (SSCD), 4294 E Fontenoy Rd, Boyne City, MI. Try Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology at www.westlawn.org. They have a job listings site. Join a society like SSCD, SNAME, ABYC, or others. This way you get to know people that are in the biz. Hang out at yacht clubs and marinas. In other words go meet people who are boat people. This will lead you to people who will want your services. The first design work I ever did was a conversion. A friend had an open boat and he wanted to put a cabin on it. I didn't even charge him for it. But things like that can led to better things and so on.

 

Just one last thing and then I'll shut up.

I forgot that the westlawn Job site is for students and you have to have an ID and Password to use. However you can always call an talk to someone. (860) 572-7900 Ask for Dave Gerr or Stu Waring. They can probably help you the most. You can even drop my name by it isn't necessary. They are both great guys who are well acquainted with the problems of finding a job in this industry.

 

Ike,
I don't know how you get "PAN" out of "D. Eikenberry", but it's good to know you're around...
Steve

 

Steve.
For a minute there you lost me!

"If I had the wings of a dove I would fly from this place". Henry James

Fortunately I can yank up the jacks on my motorhome and roll away if I want to.

Yep Steve I'm still around. They can't get rid of me that easy.

 

Doug Zurn is looking for a design engineer in his office right now. Go to the SNAME job board.

 

I was sent a forwarded message that Setzer Design Group (they have a website: www.setzerdesign.com) has a position available as well. Pretty well known firm for large motor yachts, but are located in North Carolina. I'll try to copy the message into the Employment forum.

 

Does anyone know anyone who needs any consulting or contract work? I found another unemployed naval architect in Rochester with a masters from Michigan. Between the two of us, we could probably do anything.