During lectures, Russell Hann, sometimes doodled images of speedboats. Those sketches gave hints of the future for the dual major in civil engineering and public policy. Hann (E’90) owns Hann Powerboats, a custom marine manufacturer.
You sold a company to go build boats. How exciting was that?
It was a rush. Fourteen years ago, I quit working as an environmental engineer to start a consulting firm that audited power, gas, and phone bills to get refunds for big companies. We were very successful, but I decided to take the plunge and go into boats full time last year because that was my passion.
Describe your fantasy boat.
It’d have to be a cigarette-shaped vessel with a center console. I like to go fast, so I want a boat that rides like an offshore racer but is completely fishable. My idea is, get offshore, go a hundred miles, catch your fish, and get back quickly. If you want a cabin or a bathroom, buy a condo.
How much of your engineering degree do you use?
All of it. Engineering is about problem solving, and boats offer the greatest challenge because everything is a trade-off, from weight to handling to speed.
You have a Navy contract; what are the details?
We’re building a training boat designed to handle two- to three-foot seas with 10- to 15-knot winds. It also must be able to travel 80 nautical miles offshore to run a mission and 80 miles back, which is no small feat.
What’s next?
I want to continue working with the Navy, particularly with their special operations forces. … I also want to build a biodiesel boat that runs on purified vegetable oil from restaurant fryers. I believe it can be done.
—Chris A. Weber
