Arnold, How good is your laser level. I have one and tried exactly what you are doing. I put it on a camera tripod so that I could raise it to just the right height. I did a sweep from bow to stern, marking it with a dry erase marker. Then double checked it and went back. To be honest, I couldn't overlay the same line. Frustrated I went to plan B. I bought 25' of 1/2" clear plastic tubing. I knew the mid ship line would be just under the lip of the 5th lap. I taped the tube to one side, filled the tube with water until it nearly filled the entire length of the hose. With the water level lined up with the lip of the 5th lap, I used the other end and went around the boat marking the hull with the "level". I did the first side and repeated the process on the other side. When I finished the lines met at the bow right on line with one another. Then I taped it off. I started at the stern with 2" blue tape and pulled the roll out the full length of the boat without touching the hull. Then I simply (well it was sorta simple) marched the tape ontothe hull. Because of the lap strakes (that we all cherish and love) there were obvious gaps with the tape stretched out. At each gap I used index cards to mark in the lines and then back filled with tape. Be patient. It took me nearly all day and three six packs. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Arnold Sharpe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 8:40 PM Subject: M_Boats: idea
>M sailors, > A couple of months ago I recall someone out there asking how one goes > about accurately painting the waterline on a lapstrake hull....like > my M-17 "Little Breeze". A good question because my last attempt > was pretty sloppy (I had a difficult time treading water while trying > to paint ). This afternoon while working in the shop I got an idea > which I am anxious to try and wondered if anyone had already tried > it. Among my many tools is a laser level. What if I put "Little > Breeze" on her trailer.leveled her up fore and aft and athwart ships, > set the laser level up about 20-30 ft away, adjusted it to match the > existing waterline mark at any place and then penciled where the > laser line was along the rest of the hull. As soon as I get a clear > (not raining) day I'll try it and let you all know, in the meantime, > if you have any comments, or have already tried it, let me > know...Regards. Arnold Sharpe, M-17 #265, "Little Breeze" > > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
