yacht and boat design diploma westlawn institute of marine technology

LEARN YACHT DESIGN

Westlawn's mission.

The Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology operates around one central goal:

Enabling our students and alumni to achieve their dreams of becoming successful yacht designers.

Westlawn Opens Doors

Over the years, Westlawn has produced more practicing small-craft designers than any other institution in the world.

Westlawn graduates have established careers throughout the marine industry, with leading builders and design firms. Many have launched their own independent design firms.

The Westlawn Diploma in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, and Yacht Design demonstrates the graduate’s mastery of concept and design skills. Equally important to prospective clients and employers, it offers proof of superior self-discipline and dedication, for a powerful competitive advantage in the global marine industry.

Many Westlawn graduates report that their portfolios of design projects from the Westlawn course have been a primary factor in securing employment with leading boatbuilders and design firms. Employers add that Westlawn students’ learning is practical, relevant and up-to-date, allowing them to begin contributing immediately as productive team members.

Many Westlawn students have completed their studies after being hired as designers in many industries.

Who Should Consider Westlawn

Recent high school graduates choose Westlawn as the next step in their education, leading directly to a yacht and boat design career.

College and university students earning degrees in naval architecture and marine engineering find that Westlawn provides skills in boat design not covered in university courses, as well as training in conceptualization and aesthetics.

Many Westlawn students have already established careers in other disciplines, and seek to change their professional direction. Others, already working as designers in the marine industry, select Westlawn as a path to professional development and career enhancement.

So if you have an interest in boats and a desire to flex your creative muscle in marine design, the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology is for you.

A Westlawn Education Is Effective, Convenient, And Affordable

To help you achieve your professional dreams, we’ve made it easier than ever to complete your Westlawn education.

Your monthly student fee covers your student membership in the two professional organizations that will be very important to your career as a yacht designer: RINA, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, and SNAME, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. These two organizations provide you with periodicals and access to an enormous library of valuable reference materials.

Because tuition and enrollment fees include all text materials, software tools, assignment review and evaluation, testing, grading and consultation with faculty, the cost of a Westlawn education represents a superior value.

Practical, Project Based Learning

Our courses are online, and have always been based on “Project Based Learning” which is widely recognized as the most effective way to learn: As a Westlawn student you will learn knowledge and skills, and immediately apply your skills on practical yacht designs.

Project Based Learning enables you to internalize and retain the knowledge and skills, as you use the tools and processes used in professional yacht design firms.

Select Westlawn students also have the opportunity to collaborate on Superyacht designs at Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena California.

By the time you graduate, your portfolio of professional quality design work will include nine designs of yachts engineered in aluminum, fiberglass, and wood, both sail and power.

This realistic and practical education means you will have the confident ability to design yachts for clients upon graduation.

The Yacht Design and Naval Architecture Course

A comprehensive four-module professional education, the Westlawn Yacht Design & Naval Architecture course enables you to master the principles of yacht design using industry standard tools, including Rhino3d and AutoCAD.

During this course, you will prepare plans, computations, specifications and all the details for nine different boat designs. You will design both powerboats and sailboats. You will follow the practices of successful yacht design firms.

Your nine different designs will be critiqued by the Westlawn faculty of professional yacht designers, and will provide you with a portfolio of your own designs to help you start your career.

Module 1: Principles of Yacht Design

Introduction to design process; Fundamentals of statics and dynamics and their influence on design.

Module 2: Aesthetics and Layouts

Elements of exterior and interior design of powerboats, monohull sailboats and multihulls, using Rhino and Autodesk tools such as AutoCAD.

Module 3: Construction Methods

A detailed study of manufacturing technologies, materials and processes for wood, fiberglass and aluminum production.

Module 4: Systems and Equipment

Design considerations and issues relating to engine installations, propulsion, electrical, navigation, plumbing, fuel and environmental systems.

When you satisfactorily complete all four modules, you will graduate and be awarded the Diploma in Yacht Design, Naval Architecture, and Marine Engineering.

Admission Requirements

The Yacht Design & Naval Architecture course is a comprehensive and rigorous course. You should be prepared and mature enough for a college education. There are no specific prerequisites, other than self motivation and discipline.

You need a Mac or PC with internet access and email to enroll and to do the coursework.

Work at your own pace

You may start the Westlawn course at any time.

The entire Yacht Design & Naval Architecture course requires about 3,200 hours of study and assignment preparation, or about 1 to 3 hours a day to complete the course in 4 years.

Westlawn is a work-at-your-own-pace school. Some complete in as little as two years, others may take a decade. It is common for our students to obtain gainful employment as designers of yachts, cars, airplanes, products, and interiors early in their education at Westlawn.

Tuition and Fees

$4600 per module for tuition, and $100 enrollment fee per month. Therefore, the total 4 module course will cost about $23,200 if completed in 4 years.

Everything is Included

Your tuition and enrollment fees includes all books and full versions of all software from Autodesk, including AutoCAD, Alias, Maya, Inventor. Deep discounts on Rhino and Orca3d are also available to our students.

Making waves for 90 years

Since 1930, Westlawn has set the standard for yacht design education. Over the years, our alumni continue to lead the marine industry in setting the tone for style throughout the industry, including sailing and power yachts and commercial vessels.

For example, alumnus Jack Hargrave gave us the now pervasive style of sport fishing boats with long fordecks and wide and low cockpits.

Alumni Andrej Justin, Tom Fexas, Bruce King, Gerry Douglas, Roger Martin, Dudley Dix, John Swarbrick, Doug Zurn, Rod Johnstone, and many others have designed large numbers of beautiful and influencial custom and production yachts including many America’s Cup racers.

Eos, the 320’ three masted schooner built by Lurssen, was designed by Westlawn graduate and Senior Partner of Langan Design, Antonio Ferrer.

Recent graduates include Adam Voorhees, Superyacht design award winner, and Adriana Monk, a Chief Designer for Wally Yachts of Monaco.

What Alumni Have to Say about Westlawn

It was a wonderful day for me personally to be able to present a second diploma to a Westlawn graduate since taking over the Hargrave company. I want to thank Westlawn for making all this possible not only for Greg Boyko, but for the entire Hargrave family. We take great pride in our company’s long history with Westlawn, and the list of honored recipients to receive a Westlawn diploma who not only played an important role in our company, but in the yachting industry overall is impressive indeed. Keep up the great work!

. . . I am currently a NAMS surveyor in Annapolis and have had my own successful business for over 16 years. I have been employed by two yacht yards and the US Navy. I spent three years on the drawing board primarily working for the Navy but doing some independent smaller design projects. In the last 20 years I have traveled to 40 countries surveying all manner of vessels from ocean going tugs and floating dry docks to yachts and high speed patrol boats. Many thanks for helping me establish a rewarding and wonderful career.

I am a Westlawn grad who has worked in the industry for over 17 years and am now presently holding the position of Sr. Development Engineer at Pursuit Boats (a division of S2 Yachts, Inc.). I have had several colleagues of mine inquire about the Westlawn program and I am always eager to provide a wonderful appraisal of my studies at Westlawn. It was exciting when ABYC decided to adopt the course and I was also pleased to hear that Norman Nudelman was once again part of the faculty. Keep up the good work and good luck with your future endeavors.

For those of us whose school notebooks were embroidered with boat sketches, the practice of yacht design is just being paid for doing what we like best. Training, such as the Westlawn course, is essential to make this possible. It did this for me.

If you are the kind of person that seeks rewards beyond the monetary boundaries, there is nothing so gratifying as seeing your design take shape and finally sail away. The Westlawn School of Yacht Design course can extract those talents from our creative genes.

I recommend Westlawn to anyone desiring to become a yacht designer or commercial boat designer.

. . . the quality of its graduates, including Bruce King, Bill Shaw, and Ted Brewer remains a constant.

Westlawn is a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity. Therefore, all revenues and funds are used only for the education of Westlawn students. Over the past 90 years, Westlawn has educated thousands of practicing yacht designers. Westlawn provides students with all books and software tools required to complete the course.

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The History of the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology

• By Jay Coyle
• Updated: April 20, 2011

Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology

Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology celebrated its 80th anniversary recently, and yachting enthusiasts of all stripes owe the design school a tip of the hat. If you are a boat owner, there’s a good chance that a Westlawn graduate had something to do with your boat’s design. The list of alumni reads like a who’s who of yacht design. Graduates of this home study course have played a major role in shaping the sport, and some very dedicated designers have played an important role in shaping Westlawn.

Boat designers Gerald Taylor White and E.S. Nelson dreamed of a correspondence school that could serve those who shared their passion for small-craft design. They founded Westlawn in 1930, naming it after White’s Montville, New Jersey, farm. At the time, the U.S. population of recreational boating enthusiasts was estimated at 1.5 million and growing. Inspired by Henry Ford, boatbuilders had begun standardizing production, so the creation of a school to standardize design practices and train designers was timely. By 1968 the population of recreational boaters had surged to 8.4 million, and hundreds of Westlawn graduates and enlightened students were serving the industry.

While there are many outstanding examples of students who made good, 80-year-old Dave Martin’s 55-year career as a yacht designer is one of the more compelling. Growing up on the Jersey shore in Atlantic City, Martin loved boats and managed to land a job on the planking crew at the Egg Harbor Boat Co. fresh out of high school. “I walked my dog back and forth in front of Russell Post’s [a company partner in Egg Harbor] house until I cornered him one morning and begged him for a job,” Martin said. Martin arrived for work and was given a broom, but he eventually wound up on the planking crew. “A fella called Peckerhead Armour was in charge, and I figured I should know at least as much as Peckerhead did about boat design and construction,” Martin said. After seeing ads for Westlawn in the back of Yachting he signed up for the course in June 1948.

Martin moved from Egg Harbor to Pacemaker Yachts and then quit work to devote all his effort to completing his Westlawn studies. “I locked myself in my bedroom and worked full time until I ran out of money,” Martin said. With half the course under his belt, Martin felt confident enough to apply for a job at Sparkman & Stephens in New York. “I was interviewed by a human resources guy retired from the phone company — he didn’t know a damn thing about boat design,” Martin said. “Things got a bit loud and Gil Wyland [S&S’s chief engineer] came out of his office to see what was going on.” Wyland looked at Martin’s work and hired him as an ink tracer. “I was working at Sparkman & Stephens and my old boss was driving boats — Capt. Peckerhead,” Martin said with a chuckle.

After replenishing his bank account, Martin took a leave of absence and completed Westlawn in March 1953. He returned to Sparkman & Stephens as a draftsman and began moonlighting on the side — a practice Olin Stephens frowned on, Martin admits. “Several of my peers managed to design an oil tanker on the side, and Olin was pretty sore — I was only working on a 30-footer!” Martin was paid $750 for the design, and he quickly calculated that given 10 commissions a year he could make more money as a designer than as a draftsman. Martin returned to South Jersey and hung up his shingle. “I figured it was far enough away from S&S that I wouldn’t be tempted to give up and go back,” he said, laughing. Over the last five decades Martin has built an impressive portfolio of custom designs, both power and sail, and penned production designs for Egg Harbor, Pacemaker, Ocean Yachts and others. Martin’s secret to success is a love for his work and boating. He’s still designing boats and enjoys sailing aboard a 28-foot catboat he designed in 1980.

Over the years Westlawn has persistently tweaked its program in an effort to keep pace with new technology. The school was purchased by the National Association of Engine and Boat Manufacturers (NAEBM) in 1968 and led by designer Jules Fleder. At the time the school taught only design in wood. Designer and alum Bruce King had to get special permission to do a fiberglass vessel for his final exam. Textbooks on fiberglass and aluminum construction were added to the syllabus, and the course went through a major upgrade under the leadership of alum Norman Nudelman. A textbook on multihull design written by alumnus Bob Harris was added, as was a new volume on sailboat design by alum John Ammerman and Halsey Herreshoff.

Westlawn is now owned by the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and is headquartered at The Boat School in Eastport, Maine. Alum Dave Gerr is currently at the helm. Gerr finished Westlawn while serving as a naval architect at MacLear & Harris. He established his own firm in 1983 and has penned a number of books and a broad portfolio of designs. Under Gerr’s leadership Westlawn has been further refined with the addition of a technical reference manual written by Gerr and a text on yacht interiors by Lisa Hix. Gerr said the Internet has enhanced the program as well. “Thanks to the virtual office the Web allows, we have been able to assemble a great team of instructors and advisors,” Gerr said. “On the other end, students typically have more immediate access.”

Westlawn’s full program, Yacht and Boat Design, includes four modules: introduction to small-craft design, intermediate boat and yacht design, construction methods and systems, and equipment. Study materials include 34 textbooks that cover a wide range of subjects including hydrostatics, stability, performance, hull forms (power and sail), systems and construction methods. To graduate, students pass 38 lessons including a final thesis with two complete boat designs. A condensed version of the program, Elements of Technical Boat Design, was developed specifically for captains, surveyors, marine writers and others who need or want a basic working knowledge of boat design. Should those who complete the basic course want to pursue the full program, they receive credit for their studies and investment.

Westlawn serves both those interested in yacht design and those who want to focus on commercial small-craft design. There are few accredited schools that offer programs in either. Students have 12 months to complete a module and can make arrangements for extra time if necessary. Lessons that are not graded 75 percent or above are returned marked “preliminary,” and students can resubmit them until they pass. Westlawn averages about 28 graduates annually, and it typically takes a student four to five years to complete the full course. While 80 percent of those who start it never finish, Gerr points out that this number is misleading. “Many students get far enough along to find a job or design a boat and simply never bother finishing.”

Like Dave Martin, I was drawn to Westlawn by an ad in Yachting and managed to graduate in 1980. Since I had drooled over Martin’s book Naval Architect’s Notebook , he was on my short list when I circulated my resume. Like Martin, I too had suffered humiliation at Sparkman & Stephens when, during my interview, it was discovered I was more a stinkpotter than a windblown Corinthian. I found a warmer reception elsewhere, and I still have Martin’s kind letter of encouragement. Although he had no openings at the time, Westlawn alums Jack Hargrave and Tom Fexas did. I signed on with Fexas for five years before hanging up my own shingle in 1986.

I owe Westlawn a tip of the hat for teaching me how to make a buck doing what I love — and Martin feels the same way. “I knew Jerry White personally, and he really cared about helping young folks,” Martin said. “He not only taught them boat design, he taught them how to get a job! That’s something they don’t teach in college.” Happy anniversary!

Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology, 207-853-6600; www.westlawn.edu

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Westlawn Institute has trained more practicing boat designers in the world.

Description.

**Since 1930, Westlawn Institute** has trained more practicing boat designers than any other institution in the world. We offer various programs that appeal to industry professionals and boating enthusiasts with a range of different experiences and skill sets. Westlawn Institute is a nationally and internationally accredited school, with students from every corner of the globe. All courses are 100% distance learning. Students study from their homes.

Our instructors are available to help you through every step of the way. Instructor support, study guides, books, and other materials are all available via the Internet and mail. Depending on the focus of your study and your individual pace, courses can be completed in a matter of months or years. Tuition is low, with zero-interest monthly payment plans so Westlawn students graduate debt free.

Whether you are a seasoned boatbuilder who is looking to learn design skills, a novice who wants to learn boat design, or anywhere in between there is a course for you. Contact us and learn which program is right for you.

[**Yacht & Boat Design Program**][1]

DIPLOMA IN SMALL-CRAFT ARCHITECTURE Take our Yacht & Boat Design Program, a four-module/four-course program for training professional boat designers. This is an intensive program that covers all aspects of boat and yacht design. Graduates of the Yacht & Boat Design Program have gone on to become some of the [most prominent designers][2] in the marine industry.

[**Continuing Education Short Courses**][3]

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER | TRAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES | LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS LEARN THE DETAILS | STUDY FROM HOME Take our concise, 6-month distance-learning, continuing-education courses to improve your knowledge of boatbuilding and design, and enhance your marine-industry career. These courses are also ideal to train your employees and improve their skills. Learn about hydrostatics, stability, resistance, speed and powering, fiberglass boat construction, production boatbuilding methods, ergonomics and interior design, hull lines, corrosion, and other pertinent elements for technical boat and yacht design.

[Request Catalog][4] | [Enroll Now][5] | Email: **via the contact form**| Call: 800-832-7430 or 207-747-0088

On the web :

[Westlawn Institute][6]

[1]: http://westlawn.edu/course_info/overview.asp [2]: http://westlawn.edu/who/success.asp [3]: http://westlawn.edu/course_info/continuing_education.asp [4]: http://westlawn.edu/course_info/catalog_request.asp [5]: http://westlawn.edu/course_info/applications.asp [6]: http://westlawn.edu/

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By SuperyachtNews 30 Jun 2011

Annapolis' Westlawn Institute gains RINA accreditation

The royal institute of naval architects (rina) and westlawn institute of marine technology have announced the rina accreditation of westlawn institute’s yacht & boat design programme.…, join the discussion.

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6 of the best yacht design courses to kick-start your career

Yacht design and production beng.

Although many of the world’s top superyacht designers had no formal training, taking a yacht design course can be a great way to kick-start your career and make vital industry connections. We round up five of the best.

Southampton Solent University’s Yacht Design and Production Course has an international reputation and for good reason, as it features guest lectures from BMT Nigel Gee and work experience placements at Sunseeker International . Students on this three-year course study the engineering science behind great yacht design as well as the fundamental principles of naval architecture. A foundation year is available, as well as opportunities to study abroad. Notable successes include the class of 2014, who built the foiling catamaran Solent Whisper (pictured above).

Yacht Design Diploma

Based in the American town of Arundel, Maine, the Landing School offers a wide range of courses in marine technology. Its Yacht Design Diploma boasts a 100% employment rate for former students and bursaries are available via the Women in the Marine Industry scholarship. Alumni have gone on to work for the America’s Cup team Artemis Racing (pictured above).

Yacht Design 1st Level Masters

Offered as a postgraduate course, the Yacht Design 1st Level Masters at Milan’s ISAD design school is intended for students who have a degree in architecture, engineering or design. Taught in both English and Italian, this one-year course culminates in an industry placement, and guest speakers include  Mario Pedol  (who designed the 180 metre  Azzam  — pictured), and  Andrea Vallicelli .

Yacht and Boat Design Diploma

The Westlawn Institute has been teaching yacht design for more than 80 years, and currently offers an online distance-learning programme. The Yacht and Boat Design course is taught by tutors based in the USA and Australia, and is accredited by the Royal Institute of Naval Architects in London. This one-year diploma features modules on construction, engineering and CAD. Famous alumni include Douglas Zurn , Tom Fexas and Geoffrey Van Aller , who is responsible for the design of many of the top 50 largest US-built yachts , such as the 73 metre Cocoa Bean (pictured above).

Automotive and Transport Design MDes/BA

A slightly left field option perhaps, but automotive design is one of the key fields that influences yacht design . This three to four-year undergraduate course at Coventry University is held in particularly high regard for its strong industry connections. Former students who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the superyacht world include Jonny Horsfield (whose H2 Yacht Design studio created the exteriors for the 123 metre Project Jupiter  — pictured above), and Steve Gresham.

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering MEng

In recent years, there has been a trend towards students using naval architecture courses as a route into yacht design, as James Roy from BMT Nigel Gee explains: "It used to be that if you attended a traditional naval architecture degree then you would spend most of your time learning things about big merchant ships, but that is not the case anymore.

"Most university degrees are now geared to provide modular approaches, and the naval architecture and engineering of smaller and specialist vessels, such as yachts, are included."

This four-year course at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow is a case in point — providing a broad basis for understanding how a wide variety of vessels work, from luxury yachts to commercial ships. The faculty also owns a 10 metre sailing yacht called Catalina (pictured above), which students can hire for as little as £30 per day.

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Passionate About Yachting? Learn How You Can Design Your Own Yacht!

You already love the freedom that sailing affords you, but have you ever considered sailing on a yacht you designed yourself? Designing your own yacht is more achievable than you may know and we'd like to introduce a distance learning school, The Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology. This school allows people with a passion for boats to turn their dreams of sailing on a vessel they designed themselves into a reality.

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Boat Design Courses at Westlawn IMT: Student Grants Extended

Press Release June 17, 2013

Student-designed craft: Image courtesy of June 17, 2013, Eastport, ME: The Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology

The Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology is able to extend its grant and scholarship program in Small Craft Design thanks to further funding from the Kathy & Jerry Wood Foundation. The funds were originally for three years, but an additional thirty thousand dollars was given to assist more students. Scholarships will be awarded on an ongoing basis until the grant funds are expended. "“The connections between Westlawn Institute, ABYC, and the history and goals of Kathy and Jerry Wood, are remarkable,”" said Sallie Hamrick, President of the Kathy and Jerry Wood Foundation. “"Not only are both organizations dedicated to boating and education, but also to enhancing boating safety and to encouraging our nation’s youth to pursue the enjoyment of boating and careers in the boating industry.  We are particularly touched that Jerry and Kathy will continue to serve the boating community by helping students learn to design boats and yachts that will be joyfully used for generations to come.”"   Students who are U.S. citizens and meet Westlawn admission requirements are eligible for a $1,500 grant toward their tuition in Module 1 in the full Yacht & Boat Design Program, or toward the tuition for the Elements of Technical Boat Design course. Students may be awarded either $1,500 for a GPA of 90% or above, or $1,000 for a GPA 85% - 89%.  Scholarships and grants from funds donated by the Wood Foundation in 2013 may not be applied retroactively, and may only be awarded for enrollments that occur starting on June 20, 2013.   Scholarships granted for academic achievement based on GPA are “Wood Scholarships,” and the recipients are known as “Wood Scholars.”  Sixty scholarships have been awarded since 2010

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Professional BoatBuilder Magazine

Westlawn’s dwindling graduation.

By Dan Spurr , Nov 14, 2018

Prominent alumni like Dave Martin helped Westlawn earn a solid reputation in the yacht design community.

In the December 2014 issue (PBB No. 152), we announced that the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) wanted to divest itself of the Westlawn Institute of Marine Tech­nology, which it had hosted since 2003, citing the venerable distance-learning school as a financial burden. In this column we urged any qualified, financially sound person or school to step up and keep Westlawn from going under. Two issues later, in No. 154, we announced that West Coast sailor and former Westlawn student David Smyth , then 57, had bought the distance-learning school. In a telephone conversation he excitedly described his plans for adapting to the new technologies available such as “open online learning opportunities.” A chancellor and provost had been hired, and former director and CEO, naval architect Dave Gerr , reportedly had been retained to help develop course material.

A recent visit to the school’s website , however, revealed few if any signs of life: no new news since 2013; no newsletter, The Masthead , published since December 2014; and no job postings. So it seemed time to ask Smyth what’s going on.

During a lengthy conversation, Smyth detailed a few of the challenges he has faced. Some of the learning systems he had come to admire at major universities like M.I.T. proved “fairly expensive.” And a hard look at graduation rates was disappointing: of 236 registered students, only “two to 15” were expected to graduate. Current active enrollment, he says, is around 60 worldwide. So even though the school depends almost entirely on student tuition fees, it didn’t make sense to keep recruiting students who weren’t likely to finish any of the various programs. Where in years past the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) and ABYC subsidized the school, that obligation now falls to Smyth and his personal finances. He says he has pumped in “tens of thousands of dollars,” which is easy to believe.

Changing fee structure

The school maintains a physical office at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, occupied by program assistant Cynthia Dolloff, and pays instructor Mark Bowditch, based in Australia, to grade papers and support students through interactive exchanges. To complicate matters, Smyth says he wasn’t given the school’s financial records, and so has had to pay accountants to sort through what records were available and create a sensible financial picture to aid in future planning.

Smyth has made a number of significant changes to control costs and improve graduation rates. All assignments are now uploaded electronically to the school’s server—no more paper. And tuition payment plans have been scrapped in the belief that a student who saves the $4,500 fee (plus $100 per month) per module will be more committed to completing the course work than someone who makes small payments and becomes discouraged or disinterested. For advanced students, Smyth says he invested in a license for MAXSURF, a professional-grade software suite widely used in the industry. This is in addition to enrolling all students in available free software opportunities such as AutoCAD, Inventor, and even subscriptions to Professional BoatBuilder magazine.

What course forward?

While Smyth talks about the school positively and passionately, there are reasons to be concerned about its future. As he points out, depending on student tuition to fund the programs is not sustainable. Founded in 1930, the distance-learning school will celebrate its 90th birthday in just two years, and using that as cause for donation, Smyth is hoping to launch a fundraising campaign that will include alumni and members of the boatbuilding industry.

“I’m very proud of what Westlawn graduates have contributed to the marine industry; their body of work is remarkable, and I think it’s critical we continue to supply the industry with qualified employees,” Smyth says. “I was at our yacht club the other day and looked out at all the boats, and realized nearly all were designed by a Westlawn graduate or at least assisted in some way by one of our graduates.”

A graduate posted on Facebook about his work and the career opportunities he found. Now Westlawn is seeking to boost graduation.

I agree. But given the fact the website and Facebook page reflect virtually no activity since the sale and purchase, one can’t help but wonder if the school lacks the necessary energy and resources to thrive and fulfill its mission.

On a personal note: With a certificate in Elements of Technical Boat Design (formerly Yacht Design Lite), I told Smyth I won’t be able to give him $5,000, but I’ll happily donate $100. What school today doesn’t rely on fundraising? And it starts with alumni and the industries it serves.

I’d enjoy hearing more from current and recent students regarding their experiences and suggestions. Please e-mail me at dan@ null proboat.com.

Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology, c/o Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath, ME 04530 USA, tel. 800–832–7430, 207–747–0088, fax 207–747–0084

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Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology

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Since 1930, Westlawn Institute has trained more practicing boat designers than any other institution in the world. Westlawn Institute is an internationally accredited school, with students from every corner of the globe. All courses are 100% distance learning. Students study from their homes. Our instructors are available to help you through every step of the way. Instructor support, study guides, books, and other materials are all available via the Internet and mail. Depending on the focus of your study and your individual pace, courses can be completed in a matter of months or years. Tuition is low, so Westlawn students graduate debt free.

Yacht & Boat Design Course

Take our Yacht & Boat Design Course, consisting of four modules for training professional yacht and boat designers. This is an intensive course that covers all aspects of yacht and boat design. Graduates of the Yacht & Boat Design course have gone on to become some of the most prominent designers in the marine industry.

Overview of Naval Architecture for Marine Professionals

Take our concise, 6-month distance-learning course to gain an overall understanding of naval architecture, including improving your knowledge of boatbuilding and design, to enhance your marine-industry career. This course is also ideal to train your employees and improve their skills. Learn about hydrostatics, stability, resistance, speed and powering, fiberglass boat construction, and production boatbuilding methods. – – –

Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology c/o Maine Maritime Museum 243 Washington Street Bath, Maine 04530 USA Toll Free: 1-800-832-7430 Telephone: (207) 747-0088 Fax Line: (207) 747-0084 Website:  www.westlawn.edu Email: info#westlawn.edu

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Westlawn Shool of Yacht Design

Discussion in ' Education ' started by michal , Jan 27, 2002 .

michal Junior Member

I seriously thing about studying in Westlawn. Every private opinions about this course (alumni? students?) have great importance for me. Thank You.... Michal  

Jeff Moderator

I believe there are a couple people visiting the forums who have graduated from the Westlawn program, so hopefully they will reply to this post or send you a private message or an email. You might also find this site interesting which displays some student projects done for the Westlawn courses: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~jomeder/gallery/galleryframes/galindex.html Also here are two Westlawn students' websites for you to browse or contact them: http://members.tripod.com/~jcnyd/ http://members.iquest.net/~wwills/  

Patrick Bray < http://www.brayyachtdesign.bc.ca/ > and Dudley Dix < http://www.dixdesign.com > are both graduates of Westlawn. Also, here are some threads which I pulled from usenet discussing Westlawn. Note that some of these thread are a little dated, but they are still mostly on topic: How would you compare an education from Westlawn to one from MIT or U of M? I know that Westlawn is much more focused on small powerboat design, but I wonder about the quality of long-distance learning vs. classroom instruction since you're paying a substantial amount for either. Is a Westlawn degree going to open any doors - is it a respected degree in the industry? Click to expand...

Guest Guest

westlawn big thanks to you Jeff. All these informations are really helpfull for me Thanks michal  

edneu Junior Member

Westlawn Payment Policy On several of the posts here people stated that Westlawn requires you to pay for the entire course up front. Westlawn has divided the course into four modules, you can pay $450 and them make payments of $150 until you pay for the module (10 months). So the cost is $1950 per module (USD) and the entire course would be $7800 I don't know much about YDS or their payment scheme, but I just thought I would provide this information for anyone considering Westlawn and concerned about the cost. Additionally , Westlawn provides the texts and I beleve YDS has the student purchase design books (Skene's etc). I am certian that anyone with an interest in Yacht Design would purchase these books anyway, but you could get through Westlawn without buying them. My $.02  

A bit of reality Just remember though that the number of new yacht designers that the economy can use is probably on the order of a dozen or less per year. There are more students than that in the Landing School alone, much less Westlawn, and then there are grads of university programs, and self-taught people (Bob Perry, for example). Most Westlawn graduates I know have never had a single job or design commission - the field of yacht design is just too small and competitive. Think about the number of custom boats you have seen, or the number of home built boats you have seen or whatever. Consider too the competition - some designers are trying to sell plan sets for large yachts for under $1,000 - how many of those can you sell in a year? You really have to have something special to offer the field that is compelling enough to make you competitive, and you should be able to say exactly what it is now - otherwise you simply won't make it. Your first task is to explain to yourself exactly why anyone should buy a boat design from you as opposed to some other Westlawn or whatever grad. It had better be a lot more than you completed a training program - so did everyone else.  

ErikG Senior Member

My thoughts for what they are worth... Most of the people that study yacht design might work with other yacht related work and not do design per se. Also I think that if you live in countries where the design activity are relatively high, the best way would be to work extra for an existing designer doing detailed technical drawings and assisting with cad work. A lot of the older designers I have talked to still dont use cad at all, but most think they would benefit if they were to use it, so helping out with cad drawings or transferring a handdrawn design to computer could be a great first step into the biz.  

by graduating at westlawn, what type of degree i get and in what? is it a B.S. in marine Engineering? please email answer to [email protected]  

Westlawn does not grant a degree.  

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Ocean Breeze 18 New Member

Michal, I started the course in 1974 and never finished it due to lack of money and finishing my BSEE degree. The course is worth it. The pen and ink drawings are what yacht design is all about, as you are designing graceful objects that will be around for 30 to 50 years if they are pleasing to the eye. I ended up using the calculations in Skenes elements of yacht design and wrote the fortran programs for taylor series, stability and so on and wrote the fortran program to calculate the 1/4 ton international IOR racers. Since I was in engineering school at the time I had free access to a IBM 1403 computer at the college. By the way all the mathmetics does is give you a real feel for the reality of how the boat will float on her waterline and some feeling for its stability. You should really take courses in strength of materials, statics and dynamics in college to really figure out what is actually going on. I designed and built molds for an 23 sailboat and an 18 foot sailboat. I built 10 of the 18 foot sailboats. Needless to say I never made any money off of the sailboat business but it has been more fufulling than running an electrical contracting business, designing weapon systems, military simulators, Nuclear Powerplants or Space Shuttles. Larry  

Westlawn or virginia tech M

Westlawn design school still operating?

Future of Westlawn 2.0

distance learning westlawn or YDS

The December 2014 issue of Westlawn’s free online journal is posted

Westlawn's future

The september 2014 issue of westlawn’s free online journal is posted, the june 2014 issue of westlawn’s free online journal is posted, the march 2014 issue of westlawn institute's free journal the masthead is posted.

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