I just finished reading two straight articles in Cruising World about guys who had achieved incredible sailing accomplishments all over the world. Both were engineers by training. For fun when they got bored, they would tear their auxiliary engines down and put them back together. When that got old they calculated the vectors of sail pressure in storm force winds and how that related to the proper angle for use of a drogue or sea anchor and then would write a book about it which those of us who had aced advanced calculus and diifferential equations could actually understand. That got me thinking. Maybe all of the other sailors out there are engineers. Maybe I'm the only guy with a liberal arts undergrad who is a business guy. Maybe that's why I don't know how to fix all this stuff that everybody else seems to be able to do blindfolded and with their hands tied behind their backs in a full gale on the open ocean. So 'fess up. Are you folks out there all really engineers? Or are there some other business folks, teachers, carpenters, policeman, etc.? I wanna know. Phil, if you want to make this a quiz, ok , but you get to pick the categories. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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Necessity Breeds...
Great topic, Gary. Let's see what Phil can do. I know this: I couldn't varnish or paint, trace electrical, route plumbing, diagnose a diesel, sew canvas, plug a screw, pack a shaft, change an impeller, track a target, follow a bottom contour, repair fiberglass, or splice a line before I owned a boat. Most of what I learned was in defence of my wallet. So, I don't think engineering is a necessity, but it sure can't hurt. The other side is watching an engineer spend 31 years building a 'perfect' H28, but only remembering a handfull of times he actually took it out..... I'm not an engineer, just a corporate desk jocky. RD
Great topic, Gary. Let's see what Phil can do. I know this: I couldn't varnish or paint, trace electrical, route plumbing, diagnose a diesel, sew canvas, plug a screw, pack a shaft, change an impeller, track a target, follow a bottom contour, repair fiberglass, or splice a line before I owned a boat. Most of what I learned was in defence of my wallet. So, I don't think engineering is a necessity, but it sure can't hurt. The other side is watching an engineer spend 31 years building a 'perfect' H28, but only remembering a handfull of times he actually took it out..... I'm not an engineer, just a corporate desk jocky. RD
Not so civil...
Gary... you suckered me in. I am a civil engineer, but in probably more instances than not, I'm not so civil. But for those of you that aren't, you're probably better off. And it's probably why I have three sailboats, and my Hunter 25 is the largest. A typical weekend at the boat starts with me taking things apart, breaking something or cutting into something else just to see what's going on, then bitch about the cost to fix them. That's why attorney's, accountants, and doctors all have 40 footers. Ahh, what the hell! It sure beats the office! -Ike
Gary... you suckered me in. I am a civil engineer, but in probably more instances than not, I'm not so civil. But for those of you that aren't, you're probably better off. And it's probably why I have three sailboats, and my Hunter 25 is the largest. A typical weekend at the boat starts with me taking things apart, breaking something or cutting into something else just to see what's going on, then bitch about the cost to fix them. That's why attorney's, accountants, and doctors all have 40 footers. Ahh, what the hell! It sure beats the office! -Ike
Calcu-what?
I barely made it through low level algebra in college. My degree is in Speech so I can talk to an engine till I'm blue in the face but it won't get me anywhere! But I read good (and talk good to - yuk yuk!) so I've learned as I went. LaDonna
I barely made it through low level algebra in college. My degree is in Speech so I can talk to an engine till I'm blue in the face but it won't get me anywhere! But I read good (and talk good to - yuk yuk!) so I've learned as I went. LaDonna
I guess I'm a kinda half breed...
I've been a cop for 28 years, but our son is a mechanical engineer... :0)
I've been a cop for 28 years, but our son is a mechanical engineer... :0)
Was never smart enuf to do the above,
but when the kids finished school my wife and I had a stroke of brilliance. We sold the farm, literially, retired young and bought a Hunter. Now the biggest problem we incounter is how long, in weeks, we should sail this time. We realized that we already had everything we needed for this lifetime. PS. it aint a 40 footer. Ray
but when the kids finished school my wife and I had a stroke of brilliance. We sold the farm, literially, retired young and bought a Hunter. Now the biggest problem we incounter is how long, in weeks, we should sail this time. We realized that we already had everything we needed for this lifetime. PS. it aint a 40 footer. Ray
Technical Hacker
I love gadgets, equipment, hardware, electronic and mechanical systems. But most of all, I love to learn how to install, operate, and maintain them. It's ALL about the learning for me. I think that is why sailing is so appealing to me. But I must confess, there are many failures along the way. It's hard to describe, but I make a living as an electronics manufacturing production trouble shooter/efficiency improvement project coordinator/trainer/ex supervisor, i.e. jack of all trades in a manufacturing environment. Twenty-five years with the same company, but hey, it pays for the boat.
I love gadgets, equipment, hardware, electronic and mechanical systems. But most of all, I love to learn how to install, operate, and maintain them. It's ALL about the learning for me. I think that is why sailing is so appealing to me. But I must confess, there are many failures along the way. It's hard to describe, but I make a living as an electronics manufacturing production trouble shooter/efficiency improvement project coordinator/trainer/ex supervisor, i.e. jack of all trades in a manufacturing environment. Twenty-five years with the same company, but hey, it pays for the boat.
_Great_ quiz idea
..but then you have all the really good ones anyway! picking four basic professions would be a challenge, though.
..but then you have all the really good ones anyway! picking four basic professions would be a challenge, though.
Yes
Mechanical undergrad, and Mfg. graduate plus associates in machine and tool design technology. My current research interest is in how to implement an active control system to dampen the vibrations caused in the mast and rigging by high winds to reduce wear and fatigue on the rig. I am also looking at an adaptive ballast system that will sense heel angle and increase ballast and reposition it to keep the boat perfectly level under all sea conditions. Most movable ballast systems require operator interaction which is too slow to be effective . Lastly the subject of rudder delamination intrigues me since there is no reason this can't be designed out, but to fix delaminated rudders so they won't recur and yet not add excessive weight and thus not increase the inertia at the stern of the boat is an interesting problem. I think I have an approach to this one. regards
Mechanical undergrad, and Mfg. graduate plus associates in machine and tool design technology. My current research interest is in how to implement an active control system to dampen the vibrations caused in the mast and rigging by high winds to reduce wear and fatigue on the rig. I am also looking at an adaptive ballast system that will sense heel angle and increase ballast and reposition it to keep the boat perfectly level under all sea conditions. Most movable ballast systems require operator interaction which is too slow to be effective . Lastly the subject of rudder delamination intrigues me since there is no reason this can't be designed out, but to fix delaminated rudders so they won't recur and yet not add excessive weight and thus not increase the inertia at the stern of the boat is an interesting problem. I think I have an approach to this one. regards
Mechanical Engineer
Yes, my background is mechanical engineering. I have been taking things apart since a small child. Many years of breaking things. But now it pays off. I do struggle between making thing better on the boat and sailing the boat. Most people do not sweat the small stuff. I think the small stuff counts and that is what is the defference bewteen good boat and a great boat. I also have several cars that I restored. There is a sense of accomplishment is restoring anything and you know if something goes wrong that you can probably get it home. These are the thimgs that drive engineers.
Yes, my background is mechanical engineering. I have been taking things apart since a small child. Many years of breaking things. But now it pays off. I do struggle between making thing better on the boat and sailing the boat. Most people do not sweat the small stuff. I think the small stuff counts and that is what is the defference bewteen good boat and a great boat. I also have several cars that I restored. There is a sense of accomplishment is restoring anything and you know if something goes wrong that you can probably get it home. These are the thimgs that drive engineers.
Just a lowly programmer
So far most of the responses seem to be engineer's of one sort or another with one cop and another Speech. Myself, I am a computer programmer and I have been in Technical Support (computerees for supporting the hardware side of things) so I might qualify as somewhat related to endineering?
So far most of the responses seem to be engineer's of one sort or another with one cop and another Speech. Myself, I am a computer programmer and I have been in Technical Support (computerees for supporting the hardware side of things) so I might qualify as somewhat related to endineering?
A Teacher for 30 years
but it does help that the subjects have been woodshop, metalshop, autoshop, electronics, plastics, and drafting. PM
but it does help that the subjects have been woodshop, metalshop, autoshop, electronics, plastics, and drafting. PM
I'm in software, does that count?
I am a software guy. I call myself a data architect. Help customers configure their databases and disks. When I get to the boat, I understand the theory of how all those electrons and diesel molecules move around, but don't ask me to try and fix 'em. My big undertaking this spring is replacing a couple of lights. I think Rick Dinon had it right. I am learning by doing. Anything to keep from giving the boat yard my paycheck each month. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
I am a software guy. I call myself a data architect. Help customers configure their databases and disks. When I get to the boat, I understand the theory of how all those electrons and diesel molecules move around, but don't ask me to try and fix 'em. My big undertaking this spring is replacing a couple of lights. I think Rick Dinon had it right. I am learning by doing. Anything to keep from giving the boat yard my paycheck each month. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
Electrical Engineer
Started out as an engineer working on Telecommunications systems, FUMU'd to director of product managment with the same company. Many people wonder why my 32' boat has 27 telephones installed with a satellite uplink when I sail on a 10 mile long lake
It does however make communications with the person setting the anchor much easier. Regards. Bruce. Neon Moon
Started out as an engineer working on Telecommunications systems, FUMU'd to director of product managment with the same company. Many people wonder why my 32' boat has 27 telephones installed with a satellite uplink when I sail on a 10 mile long lake
It does however make communications with the person setting the anchor much easier. Regards. Bruce. Neon MoonAirline and airport guy
I was in the airline industry in Canada for some 20 years as an executive desk-flyer. Now an airport manager back in the U.S. My sailing background began as a teenager and included building my own Y-Flyer. Though I've never done it for a living, I'm kind of a tinkerer about the house, about the car, about the boat(s), etc. Tremendous satisfaction in tackling a job yourself, for which you'd have to pay someone else $30-40 per hour to do, and see it come out right ... "This Bud's for you!!!"
I was in the airline industry in Canada for some 20 years as an executive desk-flyer. Now an airport manager back in the U.S. My sailing background began as a teenager and included building my own Y-Flyer. Though I've never done it for a living, I'm kind of a tinkerer about the house, about the car, about the boat(s), etc. Tremendous satisfaction in tackling a job yourself, for which you'd have to pay someone else $30-40 per hour to do, and see it come out right ... "This Bud's for you!!!"
Banker
I'm a commercial banker who before my Cat 27 always hired people to do the "hard work." What is worse is that my family (two brothers) are extremely mechanical and always poked fun at my lack of mechanical aptitude. But over the past two years I have rebuilt my Atomic 4 carb, changed the ignition system and replaced the mechanical fuel pump. I have truly enjoyed the feeling of accomplilshment when you turn a non-working motor into one that fires on the first crank. I have many projects on the list for this summer and look forward to every one of them. I guess you could say I have been converted!
I'm a commercial banker who before my Cat 27 always hired people to do the "hard work." What is worse is that my family (two brothers) are extremely mechanical and always poked fun at my lack of mechanical aptitude. But over the past two years I have rebuilt my Atomic 4 carb, changed the ignition system and replaced the mechanical fuel pump. I have truly enjoyed the feeling of accomplilshment when you turn a non-working motor into one that fires on the first crank. I have many projects on the list for this summer and look forward to every one of them. I guess you could say I have been converted!
Another Engineer
I'm another engineer. I work in Aerospace building satallites. Funny thing, all my cousins are engineers, and we all have boats, and antique sports cars. I guess, taking things apart, and putting them back together is just in the blood. My wife could never understand, that working on the car or the boat after a hard day at the office is not work, it's fun! Dan S/V Unruly Julie
I'm another engineer. I work in Aerospace building satallites. Funny thing, all my cousins are engineers, and we all have boats, and antique sports cars. I guess, taking things apart, and putting them back together is just in the blood. My wife could never understand, that working on the car or the boat after a hard day at the office is not work, it's fun! Dan S/V Unruly Julie
Having sucessfully bleed the ol GM last weekend
I am thinking of switching my career from Finacial Planning into Enginering. But,it really is a great feeling when someone as mechanically inept as I am can figure out even the most basic of skills. In a couple more years I should be able to help David figure out that rudder do-hickey.
I am thinking of switching my career from Finacial Planning into Enginering. But,it really is a great feeling when someone as mechanically inept as I am can figure out even the most basic of skills. In a couple more years I should be able to help David figure out that rudder do-hickey.
put me in the column marked "other"
First of all, I kinda earn money to, among other things, sail. It one of the things which makes working worthwhile. Professionally, I'm a technical manager in production meteorological satellite software. This career followed a 20 year stint as a meteorologist/oceanographer in the U.S. Navy. The Navy taught me how big the world is, my current job teaches me how small the world is. My sailing avocation is teaching me how wonderful the world is.
First of all, I kinda earn money to, among other things, sail. It one of the things which makes working worthwhile. Professionally, I'm a technical manager in production meteorological satellite software. This career followed a 20 year stint as a meteorologist/oceanographer in the U.S. Navy. The Navy taught me how big the world is, my current job teaches me how small the world is. My sailing avocation is teaching me how wonderful the world is.
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