"D MacPherson" wrote in message . ..
Steve:

If I read Scotty's post correctly, I think he is referring to the general
omission of "hobbyist" level sources for training in yacht design, rather
than anything regarding newsgroups.

In reply to Scotty (assuming I read his question correctly), I guess you
need to put this in context. SNAME (The Society of Naval Architects and
Marine Engineers) and other professional societies cater to professionals.
Educating the hobbyist is just not part of their mandate. We pay a sizable
annual membership fee (something like $150/year) for the services that they
provide. So it is not surprising that you'll find very little from them.

I understand that completely, and find that fair enough. I should note
that I am quickly grandfathering into being qualified to join SNAME,
and when the time comes, I will attempt to do so. I do want access to
this information too, I have no doubt as to its value as an
organization. I am not sure I would like them to be the regulating
organization for all manufacturers.


Let me offer some thoughts based on my requirements as an instructor of an
Intro to Naval Architecture class I teach that the Univ of New Hampshire. I
have a semester to introduce the subject to mechanical engineering seniors
(it is a technical elective class). I use "Naval Architecture for Non-Naval
Architects" as a text (published by SNAME), along with information gleaned
from other naval architects and writers (much of which you can find in trade
magazines such as Professional Boatbuilder). (In particular, look for Dudley
Dawson's article "Once Around the Design Spiral", from Professional
Boatbuilder Oct/Nov 1997.) For students who want to try developing lines, I
point them first to Greg Carlson's small freeware chine hull program. Its
not without its limitations and holes, but it is a pretty nice little tool -
with almost no learning curve. And they can punch out DXF files of shell
plates and bulkheads to build small models. By the time they are done, they
will have completed a small design project and write a tech paper on a naval
architecture subject of their choice. Certainly not a 4-year program in
naval architecture, but enough to get their feet wet.

Regards,

Don

Donald M. MacPherson
VP Technical Director
HydroComp, Inc.
http://www.hydrocompinc.com




"steveb" wrote in message
...
(Backyard Renegade) lifted the trapdoor, peered
around and wrote:

Just curious. And I ask this in all seriousness, not to start a war.
What about guys like me? Small boat builder and amateur designer (very
amateur), do we have a place here, or would you exclude us from the
mix as organizations such as SNAME would, if I am reading their
"cannon" correctly?
Scotty from SmallBoats.com

I am new here too ... but here is some of what I know of Usenet:

No one can *exclude* you! This forum is not moderated, you are entirely
free to post what you want. Whether or not you get useful replies, depends
on the prescence of like-minded posters.

All newsgroups attract the "opinionated" ... and this is not necessarily a
bad thing After all, opinion is often just what is being sought, and
you
really would benefit from the following: Take what you need, and leave the
rest. If you can also contribute, that helps.

I have no idea who SNAME are, but as the old saying *sort of* goes:

If they wanted me, I probably wouldn't want to join ... lmao

Don't ever lose your sense of humour on Usenet, that way lies the asylum


steveb
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Nervous breakdowns are hereditory.
We get them from our children
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