Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief?

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Rodney

Beat this one: An Economist

Didn't think we could function in the real world, did you? But I grew up "under a shade tree" working on my 56 Chevy. I can fix almost anything except my wife's new Audi. In cars, my 72 911 is more my style. And in boats, I have enjoyed tinkering with my H336. I can generally do what needs to be done to keep my systems working. For reputation, worse than being an Economist, I am a Professor too. There must be exceptions to all the stereotypes. Rodney S/V Avanti
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
mama, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys!

Well, what am I really? I own a software company. I do a little programming, a little systems design and analysis, a little marketing, a little selling, some janitorial work (nothing's off limits here), carpenter & plumber (damn building always needs something), customer support rep., psychologist (try to figure out what they really want or are try to tell you they think they want), Human Resources Manager (there's a lot more, but I don't have that much time). Does anyone need an jack-of-all-trades? Phil: We are going to need more than four categories!
 
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Bob Patrick

Bean Counter

I am an accountant/financial analyst. The only thing I know how to fix at this time is a "Martini". Since we are new boat owners as of last year,(320 Hunter), I am beginning to learn that we may have to become a little more "Mechanical" ouch, ooohhh, OK, I said the word. Have truly learned the meaning of BOAT (Break Out Another Thousand)! NOW, THAT I understand!!
 
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Carl and Juliana Dupre

Another Engineer!

I'm a chemical engineer (plastics specialty), and I too have that relentless need to constantly be learning new things. And sailing is just PERFECT! -Navigation; positively MUST have been invented strictly for the entertainment of engineers! God, what fun! -Diesel engines; an engineer's feast! (last year's learning experience). -Boat electrical systems; this stuff is really neat! (This year's learning experience) -Through-hulls and seacocks; I even know what NPS and NPT threads are! -Sail trim; best vector analysis I've seen in years! Do you HAVE to be an engineer to own a sailboat? Hell, no. But if you ARE an engineer, then you just HAVE to get into sailing! One thing I am definitely NOT is a "bean counter". I don't even want to KNOW what we have already spent on this boat and it hasn't even seen water for the fist time yet (splash is Monday 4/9 and test sail is Friday, 4/13! YAHOOOOOO!!) Carl Dupre H340 s/v 'Syzygy'
 
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Steve Cook

Cabinet maker / woodworker

I have been a cabinet maker / woodworker for over 25 years. As I am always trying to build the perfect product and my quest for perfect sail shape go hand in hand. I do all of my own work on my boat and know ever sq. milimeter of my H310. After all, it is the joys of boat ownership! Steve, s/v The Odyssey
 
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Bill Rogers

Pharmacist

I switched out of engineering my first semester of school. Not enough women in engineering. Pharmacy was much more fun.
 
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Juliana and Carl Dupre

Artist!!!???

That's what I am! I like to breath deep, zen out, and just enjoy all the joys which life has to offer. No one has to tell me to stop and smell the flowers. However, I tend to be the project manager on our sail boat - thus anytime something new has to be learned, I just pleasantly smile at Carl and say, 'Go learn it!' He is the engineer and he just loves all that #*&@. So, no, you definitely do not have to be an engineer to own a sail boat and enjoy the pleasures of sailing. But it doesn't hurt to be married to one - they are extremely useful, hard working, very competent, and damn good at playing chess! Worth their weight in gold! J&C S/V Syzygy
 
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Paul

Electronic Technologist

Diplomas is both Electronic and Mechanical Technology. Spent enough time in school. Now is the time to sail. I know enough to fix almost anything but not enough to get lost in the theory.
 
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Tom

'Nuther....Engineer

I have an Electrical Engineering degree....but I'm in sales now. That is one of ways it has made it possible to get into my bigger boat.....but once an engineer....always an engineer. It makes the learning curve shorter on trying to figure out things on the boat, but by no means is it absolutely necessary. The desire to learn new things is the most important attribute for anyone on a boat. .....(and no I don't calculate the vectors of sail pressure in storm force winds)
 
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Jon Rockhhold

SCREWDRIVERS ARE TO DRINK

The joke around our house is that things I repair have three lives: (1) I fix it and screw it up, (2) I try to put it back together, (3) I hire someone to fix it at a much higher price than if I had hired them in the first place. According to my wife and mother of our children, "Just drink the screwdriver; that's enough." And then for some reason, this English major turned college administrator feels that he can buy and make sailboats seaworthy. It hardly makes sense, but after redoing and selling boats we are now starting over. I bought my most recent one in excellent condition. The objective now is not to screw it up. It's time to have fun. Frankly, I really appreciate all the help that you engineers and tinkerers give me and others who push pencils and talk for a living. Keep it coming.
 
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Steve O.

Designer

I design and build museum exhibits for a living. Working on my boat is second only to sailing it for pure satisfaction. I don't give a rip about working on cars or houses though.
 
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Brian

Software Engineer

As a programmer, the hardest thing about sailboat ownership was getting used to the idea that I had to deal with the 'hardware issues'. Now the challenge is reminding myself that when something goes wrong, I am not supposed to try again to see if the problem repeats itself before debugging... Having an engineer's mindset adds a lot to sailing for me, but back when I was in high school and failing out of simple algebra I still enjoyed sailing as much as I do now. But now I also enjoy creating embedded systems to make sailing a little easier.
 
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rregge

Strategy Consulting

Ok, so I have an engineering degree, but I am the opposite of my mechanical engineering father. He would have viewed sailing from a techincal perspective (center of effort, moment of force etc.) and tried to engineer the entire process. I view as an art, it matters not if I let the sheet out too far or my compass is off by 5 degrees, I'm sailing, thats the part that counts. I can fix my fair share of components, but when it comes to sailing, I go with the wind, and tide. (an if it gets too rough (or calm) I crank up the iron sail) Russell S/V Allie Kat
 
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Larry Watkins

Doctor, lawyer, etc.

Gary; I think this thread generated more responses than the coffee question. I'm a tech. writer, degree in Communications and Electronic Technology, but in the service I was stationed in the engineroom of a tug in Thailand. Taught me a lot, then in college worked as a welder/fitter in stainless, titanium and monel. I have sympathy for guys who don't know which end of the screwdriver is the handle. (I sold my previous boat to a lawyer who didn't have a clue and had everything done.)I do almost all my own work, except rigging, although I did hire an electrician to find an intermittant alternator problem. Sailing the boat is the ultimate payoff for all the frustrations brought on by malfunctioning/broken gear/systems, otherwise, why bother? Larry W. Beneteau OC400 Moondance
 
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Jay

Hydrogeologist

I study Goundwater. Hopefully only encounter the water but have been grounded a few times! I enjoy fixing and polishing and anything else regading boat maintaining. My dad is an aerospace engineer; wonder if that counts?
 
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john renfro

job

i have been a correctional officer in a county jail for the last eleven years, a janitor for twenty five years before that, i have had three years of high school auto shop, i am certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, and i have an associate of science degree john
 
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Wanderer138

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Apr 19, 1999
1,670
Pearson Wanderer Titusville, Florida
Dirty P.E. and Speech

I am a licensed professional engineer with degrees in civil engineering and geotechnical engineering. My job is to investigate the ground to make sure it will support whatever the heck it is they are planning to build next. The daily tools of my trade run from drill rigs, hard hat and muck boots to computer simulations. In a previous life I worked in heavy construction and did a four-year hitch in the oil patch. When I was a kid, I used to get yelled at for playing in the dirt. Now I get paid to do it. I sail for the sheer fun and freedom of it, which are heightened by knowing that my boat is well-prepared and well-maintained. I do most of the work myself, but only just enough to keep the boat clean, safe and in good working order. I know it's a huge cliche but...I'd rather be sailing. BTW, my wife is in Speech too. Peter Hunter 23 "Raven"
 
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Hayden Watson

Structural Engineer

I'm the guy that designs the building that sits on Peters dirt. Yep, I do my own maintenance on my boat and vehicles. I even designed and built my own house! However, it isn’t the mechanics that keeps sailing on the top of my to-do list. Sailing makes me think. I never seem to be able to stop thinking about something (usually work). Sailing requires me to think and diverts my mind from work. This is why I drive my wife nuts. She likes to relax on the boat and I confess that I am an unrepentant sail tweaker. Hayden Watson S/V Papillon 1988 C30 tr/bs Spokane, WA
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Welll...I spent 20 years in advertising before...

I started my own marine sanitation business. Some people don't think it was much of a career leap.
 
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R.W. Landau

I think with everyones help,

we could design one fantastic sailboat,finance it, sell it and even sail it. So, chalk up another semi-engineeer. Architectural and Building Engineering. Currently a contractor. I am trying to make a move into boat repair, to take all the money that you guys that don't fix your own pay to others. Hey, you take my money for the things you do that I can't do. r.w.landau
 
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