Re: [Paddlewise] Boat Design

The analogy between kayak designs and software is not very good. In 
software, the mechanics of how it works is hidden after it is compiled. 
With a boat everything about it is out there for anyone's inspection.

What you sort of seem to be asking for is a complete set of lines for 
the boat be freely available, preferably in electronic form. The design 
isn't the electronic file, it is the boat itself.

On Aug 14, 2004, at 4:01 AM, Elias Ross wrote:
>     * The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).

If I sell you plans you can use them to make a race car. Doesn't matter 
to me.

>     * The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your 
> needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for 
> this.

If you build one of my designs you can paddle it with your eyes open 
and watch what it does and learn everything you want about the design.

>     * The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor 
> (freedom 2).

I don't want you to distribute copies of my plans or finished boats 
without my permission, but all your friends can try it and watch you in 
the boat and learn just about everything there is to know about the 
design. They can use this knowledge as they see fit. I only ask you 
don't make a copy of my plans, or use the forms for my design.

>     * The freedom to improve the program, and release your 
> improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits 
> (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
>

My licensing agreement (build one boat from my plans, or pay a royalty 
for additional boats) does not keep you from coming up with your own 
design which uses ideas from mine. "Source code" is not required, it 
just makes it easier. You can see the shape and make any measurements 
you choose. What benefit does the designer get from making the 
electronic CAD files available? The benefit appears to be one-way.

> I spend a bit of my time helping out these projects because:  1.  I 
> use free software and feel obliged to contribute because if I don't, 
> who will?  2. I enjoy the pride of seeing my contributions out there, 
> the name recognition is nice as well.  3.  It's fun.  4.  Helps my 
> resume, it looks good to employers.

With software there is a mechanism for being sure credit is passed 
along where credit is due, either through comments in the code or a 
change log. There is no similar mechanism for a boat. Should a list of 
all contributers be laminated into the glass?

> If kayak designs were like free software, expert paddles and even 
> average paddlers might contribute changes or suggestions.  (People can 
> make suggestions now, but let's say the designer ignored your pleas: 
> Your own changes could be incorporated in a related design.)  What if 
> there was a "bug" database for kayaks, where design defects or 
> suggestions could be tracked?

Define a "bug" in a kayak. It is not as if there is such a thing as 
"too stable" it is at best "more stable than I like." Some people want 
a stiff tracking boat, other like it loose. One person's "bug" is often 
another's "feature".

>
> With appropriate design collaboration software (e-mail?) maybe 
> somebody would develop the Linux of kayaks.  (Penguin shaped!?)

Maybe we should work on the Linux of shoes first. The market is bigger. 
We wouldn't need as big malls if everyone could agree on a standardized 
shoe. One-size-fits-all has the potential to work in operating systems, 
but doesn't really make sense in kayaks. For better or worse, kayak 
design has a lot to do with "style". This is not just "style" in the 
form of what a kayak looks like, but includes the waters people paddle, 
what they do when they are on the water, and their expectations of what 
the kayak will do for them.

>
> Anyway, free designs could be downloaded and customized for different 
> people:  Maybe some of these designs would be appropriate for home 
> builders (plywood or strip construction), others would be published 
> for commercial development (fiberglass or plastic).  Any of your 
> changes would have to be released.  If you change a loft line or two, 
> you would be obligated to publish the new dimensions and acknowledge 
> that whoever still "owned" the original design, though he may or may 
> not have approved it.  (Typically, under free software you have the 
> freedom to keep the changes to your self if you don't redistribute 
> them.)
>
> How would designers make money?  Well, the same way that Linus makes 
> money:  Business and software consulting.  Customization.  Branding. 
> What impulse would there be to design something new?  Fun.

The market for customized designs is vanishingly small. I do about 5 a 
year. If I could charge $5,000 for each design, this might provide a 
living of baloney and wonderbread. And if were easy for people to make 
their own modifications, this market would shrink and the rate I could 
charge would drop. I currently charge much less, with the expectation 
that I will be able to sell the customized design to other customers in 
the future.

As a practical matter I have several design which I give away for free. 
I have never had anyone send back a file with an "improvement" on one 
of these designs. I have had several people use the plans in unexpected 
ways, but there does not seem to be any groundswell in people giving 
back. What I have seen is people make small modifications to my 
designs, call them "new" and sell them.

Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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