Press Releases

           

For Immediate Release 04-35

Contacts: Caroline Chetelat, (410) 956-1050, x22 cchetelat@abycinc.org

December 9, 2005, Edgewater, MD: After many months of work and preparation, the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology is proud to announce that the largest single curriculum upgrade in the school's history has been released. This comprehensive update was made possible by the generous support of The J. Orin Edson Foundation, and is called the "Student Guide 2nd Edition." Because there is such a vast amount of information in the Student Guide 2nd Edition, this new upgrade will also serve as a new fifth module, enlarging the four-module format that has been Westlawn's standard for some two decades. The new Student Guide 2nd Edition, was shipped not only to all current students and all newly enrolling students, but to all graduates for the past two years, free of charge. Westlawn students who graduated more than two years ago (from either the full Yacht Design Course or from Yacht Design Lite), can order the new Student Guide 2nd Edition for $40.00, postpaid in the U.S., or for $40.00 plus shipping overseas.

Not all the information in the Student Guide 2nd Edition is wholly new, of course. Westlawn has been training many of the worlds most successful designers for nearly 75 years. (Go to www.westlawn.org to see a list of our successful alumni.) Over that span of time, almost all the course materials have been rewritten or updated at some point. Nevertheless, there have been substantial changes over the past 25 years—changes in composite construction, changes in computers and CAD applications; changes in sail materials; in systems and electronics—to just scratch the surface. The Student Guide 2nd Edition addresses these changes. It also does add extensive new information on an array of subjects, and goes on to further elaborate and expand on many subjects that were covered in previous course material to include the following:

• updated instructions to students;
• detailed discussion of hydrostatic, stability, and weight calculations;
• sailboat mast and rigging calculation and layout;
• advanced composite construction design;
• fin-keel design;
• the preliminary design process;
• CAD usage and applications; multihull design; and much more. (A condensed index is below.)

In addition, the Student Guide 2nd Edition contains new, extensive reference papers on drivetrain installations, fuel systems, exhaust systems, and exploring the structural-design considerations of carbon-fiber composites.

Furthermore, a comprehensive new set of reference drawings, from design-office working drawings, has been added. These include detailed designs for two different aluminum motor vessels (one planing and one displacement); an FRP planing motorcruisers; and the complete set of drawings for a Farr ILC 46 (thanks to the generous support of the Farr Yacht Design). This new reference collection of real-world working drawings will further enhance our student's knowledge of industry design standards and practice.

Like all new Westlawn material, the Student Guide 2nd Edition is in fully metric and English units throughout. In addition — for the first time — engineering practice in metric units is directly covered in detail. This is particularly important for U.S. designers working on projects for export to the EU.

Dave Gerr, Director of Westlawn said, "Even though the new Student Guide 2nd Edition is the largest single curriculum upgrade in Westlawn history, it is only a start. We're committed to an ongoing program of course upgrade and enhancement, to keep Westlawn at the forefront of small-craft design education. Indeed, there are three more curriculum upgrades in progress as I write this—a complete rewrite of the aluminum construction text; an extensive new text on structural engineering, a new text on propellers, and a reference paper on rudders and steering systems. Look for these new upgrades to be released in the next 18 to 24 months!," continued Gerr.

Even after these updates, Dave Gerr says, "There are still more updates planned! A few that are scheduled are: a paper on rigs and rigging for small boats, a paper on tonnage measurement and a more comprehensive coverage of ventilation, to name just three. We feel strongly that Westlawn is the place to go to learn small-craft design, and we're committed to keeping it the best education in boat design anywhere. Explore our website to see what our alumni have accomplished!," concluded Gerr.

Condensed contents of the Student Guide 2nd Edition