Backstay Designs
Design Support to the Marine Industry
Cape Town,
South Africa
Global rank:
8,498
/
96,213
Skill pts: 1
2D to 3D Conversion
AutoCAD
Autodesk Fusion 360
Autodesk Inventor
Boat Design
CAD Design
CAD Drawing
Creative Product Design
Custom Part Design
Problem Solving for Design
Rendering
About
I have worked in boat yards and boat design offices for many years, and have acquired extensive experience in luxury GRP/CFRP catamarans and sheet metal aluminium work boats.
I am highly skilled in 3D CAD (Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Fusion 360) and am proficient in working from and producing 2D AutoCAD drawings.
I also have experience in rendering and simple animations of both the finished boat or custom stand-alone components and systems.
My previous structural projects have included a full 3D model, drawing pack and nested cut files for a 15m ocean research catamaran. As well as numerous custom components where an off-the-shelf option was not suitable.
While I am not a naval architect, I have partnered with a company that can provide all the necessary structural calculations.
Plug and mould design for GRP boats is another area I particularly enjoy, and have extensive experience in.
In addition to design, I am highly skilled at the communication and collaboration of all aspects of the design process. This has been aided by cloud-based CAD software such as Fusion 360, which facilitates the sharing of information and keeping track of design changes in real time.
In addition to standard boat design work I particularly enjoy smaller custom R&D projects that require more creative solutions within a given set of parameters.
My approach to design is one of simplification, and always working within the limitations of the project with regard to materials and fabrication techniques. The ideal design is usually the simplest solution that can satisfy all criteria.
Experience
-
Design Draughtsman
Icarus Marine · Full-time
Jun 2019 –
Aug 2019
2 mos
Cape Town, WC, South Africa
Detailing structural drawings in AutoCad.
Responsible for General Arrangements on new design proposals, from 15 to 43m.
A full drawing pack on a 15m survey boat, generating the 3d model and drawings from the engineer’s scantling
calculations.
Integrating systems, from in-house as well as the electrical and hydraulics designers.
Designing custom deck hatches, etc.
Communicating with the yard and the client. -
Drawing Office Manager
Legacy Marine · Full-time
Mar 2016 –
May 2018
2 yrs 2 mos
Port Elizabeth, EC, South Africa
Working almost exclusively in Autodesk Inventor 2017/2018,
but with detailing of supplied drawings in AutoCad.
Responsible for all back and forth communications to Incat Crowther Naval Architects in America, regarding the
19m Dive Support Vessel.
Supply of drawings and models to systems designers and suppliers, integrating said products into the vessel.
Liaising with South African naval architects on other smaller projects.
Redesign of small boat range, (4.5 to 7.5m) producing flattened sheet metal parts for the CNC router. Fabrication
drawings, jigs and a BOM/parts lists.
Problem solving on the floor and reflecting changes back to the drawings.
Design of interior/deck layouts and design of non-structural items.
Receiving project briefs from the sales team and engaging design review meetings with senior management. -
Drawing Office Manager
Tag Yachts · Full-time
Aug 2014 –
Feb 2016
1 yrs 6 mos
Saint Francis Bay, EC, South Africa
Training and assigning tasks to 2 junior draughtsmen.
Overseeing and collating all drawings and designs for a 50ft catamaran, from plugs to finished yacht. As well as a
new 60ft catamaran re-design
Liaising and supplying information to structural composite engineers in New Zealand and France.
Liaising with specialist system designers in various countries including Volvo, Sweden.
Responsible for drawing office output and supplying drawings to the factory.
Designing various aspects in-house: Rigging layout with custom sheave boxes, custom engine brackets and
adaptor plates; interior cabinetry; air conditioner and plumbing layout; engine rooms layout etc.
Education
- Nelson Mandela Metrololitan University BTech, Art & Design 1997 – 2001 While I studied Fine Art, my 4th year project was through the engineering department. 'The Production of a Wind Turbine Blade Mould from a Technical Drawing'
Stats
1 follower, 0 following
Joined: March 6, 2020
Last seen: February 15, 2023
Area of Expertise
Languages
English Full professional proficiency
Location
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa