Sailboat Diagram
When I was young I loved sailboats. I got a radio controlled one for Christmas, which I loved. However, it was the “adult” ones that I really loved. I used to dream I would own one of those myself. In the meantime, I amused myself with the small one I had. I used to glue a small plastic soldier to it, which in my imagination, it was me.
Later on, I had drawing lessons in school. These drawings were meant to be technical. We learnt angles and perspectives and units of measurement. These techniques were meant to prepare us for drawing plans and blueprints, rather than cartoons or portraits.
Since my passion was sailboats, when I was able to choose a project, I selected a sailboat diagram. I thought it would be easy and fun. It was quite fun, but not nearly as easy as I though it would be.
For starters, I discovered that in order to do a sailboat diagram, I had to depict every part of a sailboat. And I soon discovered that there were many parts to it. In addition, my sailboat diagram had to show a 3/4 view, as well as a top, front and side views. This 3/4 view was a pain to draw. Oh, did I mention that we didn’t have computers back then? That’s right, I had to draw my sailboat diagram by hand, using rules and other tools that might seem old fashioned now.
By that time, I had already lost the first sailboat I received when I was a child. I was tempted to buy one just to make my job easier. However, when I found out how much they cost, I decided to try a simpler solution. I bought a small model sailboat. In the end, it was much more useful for my sailboat diagram project than if I had bought a radio control one, because it was much smaller and I could hold it in one hand while I took notes and drew with the other.
In the end, I was quite proud of my sailboat diagram. Not only because it turned out to be a great diagram, but because it was an original project. I was the only one in my class who had selected a sailboat diagram. Most of the other kids had chosen cars, although a few had selected airplanes.
Although it was a good experience, I was disappointed that I didn’t get a perfect grade on my sailboat diagram. I sort of hated my teacher for that for a while, but now I understand that it’s part of learning.
The only sad thing is that I never did get my own sailboat. I guess I still can, but since I don’t live by a decent body of water anymore, I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon.
