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Testimonials What our alumni have to say about Westlawn
“So I got the results of my lesson 38 final exam/design thesis, and they were good. Funny how with one click on my e-mail inbox, I suddenly find out that I'm no longer a student, but now a graduate. I think it's going to take a while for it all to sink in . . .
It's been a long slog. A lot of hours, a lot of head scratching, a lot of tedious calculations, a lot of work learning CAD, which I had never used before. It's been a long slog, sure, but a manageable one. Take it incrementally, and it goes a lot easier. This stuff takes time. Not many schools of this caliber are self-paced, and give their students the luxury of taking as much time as they need to properly complete a lesson. So take your time . . . don't sweat it . . . and enjoy the learning process along the way.
. . . quite possibly the single most indispensible book, the one you cannot possibly complete the course without, is the Student Guide 2nd Edition [a technical reference manual for Westlawn students]. Over the duration of the course, I’ve been through the SG2 cover-to-cover no fewer than two dozen times. Probably more. Yet I can pick that book up today, flip to a random page, and learn something that I’ve never known before. Imagine all the knowledge inside Dave Gerr’s cranium, spilled out into a few hundred very information-dense pages. So read it once, read it three more times, read it a dozen more times after that. Then sleep with it if you must. The SG2 answered more of my questions than any other single source over the duration of the course . . .
About CAD . . . I had no experience with CAD in any form when I enrolled in Westlawn. My computer experience was limited to Microsoft’s Office Suite, and a few oddball proprietary programs we used at the power plant where I worked. I consulted the Frey and Omura books mentioned in the SG2, as well as AutoCAD Professional Tips and Techniques, by Allen & Onstott, which I think I touted in another post. I used ProSurf for hull design and fairing, and that was a bit more onerous and time-consuming to get a handle on. But I just set aside the time to sit down with the owner’s manual and play around with it until I felt confident enough to submit a lesson with it.
I was able to get a good handle on CAD, and my point to the new students starting out, who might feel a little overwhelmed or daunted by the prospect of tackling CAD: if I can do it, then ANYBODY can. But it does take time and patience . . . and some old-fashioned stick-to-it-iveness. Take it incrementally . . .
One final thought:
Can anyone tell me of a better deal than the Westlawn course?
When I add up the cost of tuition, even including extensions, and consider what I got in return . . . . I think I just received the deal of a lifetime. I got to stay at home, keep my day job, correspond with fellow students and like-minded people from all over the globe . . . . all while learning from some of the world’s leading experts, at my own pace, a new craft that I love in a way only you people can understand.
Westlawn could triple or quadruple the cost of tuition, and it would still be by far the best deal around.” Click here to read Chris O'Connor’s complete comments on Westlawn. Christopher L. O'Connor Port Towsend, WA – July 2009
Chris O’Connor graduated from Westlawn Institute with honors, attaining the highest grade on his design thesis awarded in the last eight years.
“I could have saved the Gov. money if I'd only had [Westlawn course] TT 500 [Metal Corrosion in Boats] years ago!” Roger Mays – June 2009 Small Boat Manager/Captain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
“Westlawn has made the entry into yacht design effortless. Even now, 17 years after graduation, I still refer to the old text books. We get more than 10 enquiries for job placements every month from all over the world, and the first advice I give them, regardless of whether they are doing a naval architectural degree from a university, is to enroll in Westlawn on the side. It will give them a better grounding for that art and science than university degrees give.” Kevin Dibley – February 2009 Design Director
From an Employer: “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!” Michael Joyce – July 2007 CEO Hargrave Custom Yachts
In addition, Hargrave Custom Yachts carries on the distinguished tradition of the famous naval architect Jack Hargrave, who himself was a Westlawn graduate, see below.
“I was offered a job at a fairly up & coming boatyard as overall projects manager (I supervise the individual project managers.) I also have quite a lot of input with product development and alterations including a new 65-ft. Ron Holland design. Coupled with a few hundred thousand sailing miles, it should be mentioned that it was the Westlawn schooling—helping me formalize any expertise I may have gathered over the years—that played a key part in helping me secure the job!!” Cal Tomlinson – February 2007 Overall Project Manager Discovery Yachts Limited Southampton, England
“Thank you for my final lesson report. I am definitively happy with the result. It was a long ride. I enjoyed it. It feels good to graduate and I can tell you that the knowledge acquired has helped me a lot already. Westlawn’s no-nonsense, practical engineering approach suited me well, especially as a part of my post-graduate studies. I reckon Westlawn has an important edge here over other courses in the field. The SG2 [Westlawn’s technical-reference manual for students] and the rest of documentation are a wealth of information which would have taken me years to gather and compile.” Liviu Armeanu – January 2007 Design Engineer Kelsall Catamarans Ltd. Waihi, New Zealand
“Westlawn gave me the training, background and confidence to make the jump from a yacht carpenter to a yacht designer. I have worked as Chief Engineer at Mako Marine, designing flats boats to cabin cruisers, as the Designer and Prototype Manager for Pursuit, and have been at Jamestown Metal Marine Sales for the past 10 years.
I started in the marine industry 30 years ago, as a carpenter building plank-on-frame sport fishing yachts in South Florida. Today, I am a Project Engineer for a major outfitting company. Some of my projects include the SBX, part of our missile defense system, the DDG program at Bath, the new Woods Hole Ferry under construction at Halter, polar tankers constructed at Avondale, articulated tug barges under construction at Bender.
As a Project Engineer I supervise a staff of designers who have attended various institutions. None match the background and depth I got from Westlawn. I would like to find Westlawn students interested in ship interiors, outfitting, and/or HVAC to employ here at Jamestown.
The training I received Westlawn has been responsible for my career, not only the knowledge in vessel design, but also the work habits of self motivation and extra effort.
Has my Westlawn training been useful?
Yes, worth every penny, every hour of extra effort.” Click here to read D.C. Reiher’s complete comments on Westlawn. D. C. Reiher – November 2006 Project Engineer Jamestown Metal Marine Sales, Inc. Boca Raton, Florida
“Occasionally someone will ask, "How did you get into yacht design?” It's not an easy question to answer to the layman as I'm sure your story and others are as detailed as mine. One thing is sure, Westlawn provided me with the advanced knowledge and inspiration I needed to pursue career interests. In hindsight, without the technical yacht design experience Westlawn taught me it would have difficult at best to even get a foot in the door. This industry, especially then, is tight-nit and requires very specialized trades to participate. Westlawn uses a practical approach to teaching and this is reflected in the course material. It is a great tool for designing because of its practicality. I use it quite often in my designs as there is no one resource that has as much information and tools available for that specific purpose. The bonus is the historic designs and designers that are often referred to in the material. All of these things are reasons why it is a valued yacht design reference.” Geoff van Aller - February 2006 Chief Designer Trinity Yachts Gulfport, MS
“I wanted to let you know that I accepted Steve Van Dam's offer last Friday and have pretty much started working for Van Dam Marine. (Today when I opened the Van Dam Web Site and saw my name under designer it really sunk in). I say "pretty much" because it will still take a month or so for me to get up there on-site, but I have started off site from my office here. (As you may know I also received an offer from Glacier Bay Catamarans at the same time.)
So what can I say except I couldn't have done it without you, Stu and the rest of the gang back at Westlawn. I'm very excited about what the future holds, and hopefully this is a testimonial to other students that all the hard work and long nights pays off, if you stick with it.
I can't thank you enough and—as I always have said in the past—I won't forget you, and Westlawn and I hope I'm called on whenever you or the school needs my help. I will always be there for Westlawn.” Harvey Kulka – November 2005 Yacht Designer Van Dam Woodcraft Boyne City, MI
“Since I have added Yacht Design Lite* to my resume I have had several job offers from different companies and even a promotion with the company I am employed with now. If any one is wondering if it would be beneficial to complete the program, I would say YES.” *[The Yacht Design Lite course is now called Elements of Technical Boat Design] Charles Bursk – November 2005 Tiara Yachts Holland Michigan
“My initial contact with Team Shosholoza [the South-African America's Cup team] came about with the help of Westlawn. The head of the campaign, Salvatore Sarno, is a former Westlawn student. As a Westlawn student myself, I contacted Westlawn and through this Sarno. I flew down to South Africa and got the job on the design team. During the spring of 2005, I resigned from the full-time design-engineer position with Team Shosholoza, and am now independent consultant engineer and designer, based out of Bielefeld Germany.” Alexander Friess – August 2005 Bielefeld, Germany
“I have enjoyed the Westlawn course enormously. It’s an excellent program that I know you are working hard to make even better. When I look back and think about how little I know about yacht design when I started, I am astounded at how much I’ve learned and at how much fun if has been.” Robert W. Buck – May 2005 Swampscott, MA
“Concerning the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology, I am proud of my diploma, and I have it on the wall. I must say ‘thanks Westlawn.’ I love the American mentality because I have learned to share my knowledge with other Architects. In France or even in Italy this is impossible....only secrets!
The School has been very important for me because I have learned to design craft from the hull lines to electricity, from the weight to speed estimation..... Once again I'm really proud to have my diploma.” Otto Ranchi – May 2005 Ranchi Design Trieste, Italy
Otto Ranchi is the developer if the Arrow System Design (ASD) high-speed hull from used on patrol boats and offshore racers.
“Just thought I'd drop you a note to congratulate you on your 75th anniversary. While I never did graduate, I did study the Westlawn course for six years. It was a great foundation for my career!
I enrolled in Westlawn in 1968 while still in the Navy, completing my lessons at sea in the chart room of the ship. I continued studying until August of 1974 when I had a design published in "Motor Boating & Sailing."
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.” John Howell NAMS CMS – November, 2004 Annapolis, MD
“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.” Earl G. Alfaro – October, 2004 Sr. Development Engineer Pursuit Boats Ft. Pierce, FL
“It has been interesting for me to look at your [Westlawn’s] Web Site and to know that after over 70 years, the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology, as it is now named, is still operating. In 1930, I enrolled as a student with the Westlawn School of Yacht Design and gained my Diploma in Advanced Yacht Design on 15th June 1939, signed by Gerald Taylor White [co-founder of Westlawn]. It was the start of the Second World War, and I was seconded into essential industry where I was the Draughtsman Designer with Shipbuilders Ltd. This firm was engaged in the building of Minesweepers and Fairmile Patrol Boats for the N.Z. Navy. Then, when the U.S. entered the war after the attack on Pearl Harbour, we were building 114 foot Powered Lighters for the U.S. Army and the Navy. At the age of 92, I would probably be the oldest living past student of Westlawn.
Fairmiles that were built here in Auckland, NZ were 112 feet in length and I think had about an 18 foot beam. There were twelve built for the NZ Navy and they were designed in Britain. The frames were laminated and they were shipped to us from India .We built the boats with Kauri timber, a very good native timber often used here for boat building. The boats were powered with three 600 H.P. triple screw Hall Scott gas engines each.” Thomas C. (Tim) Windsor – July, 2004 New Zealand www.westlawn.edu/oldestStudent
After the war, Tim continued his design career with his first commission of a 27-foot patrol launch for the New Zealand Coast Guard, and then with may sailing and power boats.
“I completed your Yacht Design program in '98. I wanted to thank you for posting the info regarding the Bluewater Sailing Magazine design competition. I was recently contacted by the editor and informed that my design was chosen as the winner. Thank you Westlawn. I would have never noticed this completion without your website, and certainly would not have been capable of developing the design without the know-how your course provided. Thanks again.” Doug M. Frolich – March, 2004 Marshall Yacht Design Larkspur, CA
“I am aware of the transitional changes that Westlawn is going through, and I wish you the very best in keeping it together. I am glad that you have been chosen as the new Director of Westlawn, and you have my 100 percent support. In these last years, I proved to myself, that Westlawn is really a very practical and valuable school. Design theory from the Westlawn books proved to be very accurate in reality, and always on the safe side.” Ivan Erdevicki – February, 2004 Naval Architecture & Yacht Design Vancouver, BC
“I started working for Ocean Yacht part time as the clean-up man, sweeping floors and cleaning the bathrooms. Then, I landed a full-time position in the rough-woodworking crew and was able to work my way up to finish-woodworker. From there, I got a position in research and development. The week I enrolled into Westlawn I was made lead man of R&D. Two year later I was promoted to foreman of R&D and production engineering. When I got to the advanced level of Westlawn, my title became engineering supervisor. Now that I graduated Westlawn, I will be working part time with naval architect David P. Martin (designer of ocean yachts [also a Westlawn graduate]) while keeping my full-time position as engineering supervisor with Ocean Yachts. Then, when David Martin decides to retire, I will become the second generation Westlawn graduate to design for Ocean Yachts. – Not to bad for the clean-up man. – Thank you Westlawn and staff.” Michael E. Hartline – May, 2001 Engineering Supervisor, Ocean Yachts Egg Harbor City, NJ
“Hard work coupled with the program’s direction has proven to me that success and professional fulfillment are not only possible, but probable. The yachting community has consistently responded to my Westlawn experience with encouragement and respect. We can do this!” George Rodzon – 1999 Project Engineer and Designer Tom Fexas Yacht Design Stuart, FL
“I believe that continuing education is needed to remain competitive in my field. The Westlawn course provided me with a way to increase my knowledge of small craft design while continuing to work in the marine industry. While the course requires a large investment of time and effort, it is enjoyable. Feedback from instructors is prompt and the whole staff is friendly and supportive. Westlawn has helped me become part of the design group I currently work with.” Livingston Brooks –1999 Associate Design Engineer Hatteras Yachts New Bern, NC
“The most gratifying part of my Westlawn studies was to be taught how to apply my years on the water into a sound design. At Westlawn, the instructors coached me and my fantasies into real yachts. Of course, there was plenty of hard work - detail by detail.” William C. Frank – 1999 Offshore Yacht Design Rowayton, CT
“As an engineer with a life long passion to become a yacht designer, the Westlawn School of Yacht Design was key to my career transition. Westlawn’s rigorous yacht design education helped me develop skills needed for employment with such renowned firms as Sparkman and Stephens, Paola D. Smith and Broward Marine, participate in yacht design not competitions and recently open my own yacht design office. A young boy’s dream come true!” Richard S. Brooke, PEng - 1999 Brooke Design Limited Halifax, Nova Scotia
Richard Brooke won the 1994 Yachting Magazine Sailboat Design Contest, Professional Class, while still a student at Westlawn.
“After completing Unit One of the Westlawn Course, I returned to New Zealand to find a crippled economy and our boat building business with no work. Within one year, however, I secured a job as a part time boat builder and part time designer at Dickson Marine in Nelson. During that time I won the Cruising World Magazine design competition and, with the help and encouragement of Malcolm Dickson, I produced my first powerboat design; a 45 foot sport boat with twin Cat V8s and Levi Drives.” Richard McBride – 1999 Principle Designer McBride Boat Design Nelson, New Zealand
“The Westlawn Yacht Design program as provided me with invaluable training for the marine industry. It is a very comprehensive curriculum to serve a diverse industry.” Daniel L. Chamberlain – 1999 Luhrs/Mainship St. Augustine, FL
“July, 1948, one month after graduating from high school, I enrolled in the Westlawn School of Yacht Design. After completing about 65% of the course, I landed a job at Sparkman and Stephens, Inc., Naval Architects, the most prestigious yacht design firm in the world at the time. The chief engineer was impressed by the samples of my designs done for the tests in the Westlawn course. I left the job in Sept. 1952 to complete the course, graduated April 1953, and returned to Sparkman and Stephens as a design draftsman.
Feb. 1955 I started my own design practice and am still busy designing boats.
Westlawn teaches its students to do the work that a Naval Architect does and has to do to earn a living in the profession.
Westlawn still does an outstanding job. I recently graduated from the Computer-Aided Yacht Design and Construction course. The instructors were always available by phone to talk me through any problems I had. I learned how to design a boat by computer, convert the design to a DXF file on disk which can drive a cutting machine to configure a hull plug for fiberglass mold. Plans are in the works for just such a project.
About 15 years ago, the head of the New York State Dept. of Education became very interested in Westlawn education methods.
A high percentage of boats built today are designed by Westlawn-trained designers. Examples include Jack Hargrave, Tom Fexas, myself, and many others.
I recommend Westlawn to anyone desiring to become a yacht designer or commercial boat designer.” David P. Martin – April, 1996 Naval Architect Brigantine, NJ
“The price of success is taking responsibility for setting goals and working persistently to achieve them. The Westlawn course helped me to achieve mine.” David Napier – March, 1994 Naval Architect Bertram Yachts Miami, FL
“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.” J.B. Hargrave – January, 1993 Naval Architect West Palm Beach, FL
“The skills that I learned as a Westlawn student enabled me to obtain a good position as a yacht designer in a well known design office soon after completing the course. After several years there, I was able to open my own office.” Alfred J. (Jay) Coyle - January, 1993 Naval Architect Florida
“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.” William H. (Bill) Shaw - 1991 Executive Vice President Pearson Yachts Rhode Island Good Old Boat – Pearson History
“All of us in education know, of course, that learning is dependent not so much on what a student is told, but upon what he does in the process. I had never taken a correspondence course before, but my experience with NAEBM-Westlawn thoroughly sustains this concept.” John J. Theobald, Ph.D. New York, NY – 1972
Westlawn graduate, Dr. Theobald was President of Queens College, Deputy Mayor of New York City, Superintendent of Schools in New York City, and Executive Vice President of New York Institute of Technology.
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