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Author Topic:   Straight Waterline

DIVE 1 posted 01-13-2001 11:05 AM ET (US)
Thought this might be helpful for anyone adding or replacing a waterline for bottom painting or adding striping.
Tools required:Laser level($20.00), VCR tripod, Pencil
1. Mark the bow and stern of the hull with a pencil to indicate the ends of the line.
2. Wire tie the laser level to the camera mount on a VCR tripod.
3. Set tripod about 20' from the side of the hull towards the bow.
4. Swing laser on tripod to ensure beam hits all contours of hull(especially under chine and spray rails). If beam misses any portion of the hull, move tripod(usually towards bow), reswing the laser and verify the beam hits all of the contours. Repeat this step as necessary.
5. Swing laser from bow to stern marks. Note height difference, adjust trailer tongue jack until marks are level.
6. Adjust tripod height so laser is same height from ground as pencil marks on the hull.
7. Swing laser from bow to stern and make final adjustments to trailer jack and tripod as needed.
8. Have an assistant start at the bow and make a pencil mark every few inches as you swing the laser beam towards the stern pencil mark on the hull.
9. When you have all of the pencil marks on the hull, swing the laser back towards the bow and verify that nothing shifted and the line is straight.
We have used this technique on wooden lapstrake hulls and the water lines are true and straight every time.
Note: There is also a laser available that portrays a wide angle line(one continuous line from the bow mark to the stern mark), but the cost is substantially higher.
Arch Autenreith posted 01-13-2001 10:51 PM ET (US)
Dive 1
I have been thinking how to do that before I put it in the water this spring. This will do the trick.
Again, thanks.
Toad2001 posted 01-18-2001 09:04 PM ET (US)
Dive 1,
I plan to do this job in the spring. (Terminology question) I assume a VCR tripod is a Camera/Video Camera Tripod? Also, where can I purchase a Laser Level ($20)? I haven't seen them for sale before (but I haven't really looked).
Thanks.
DIVE 1 posted 01-18-2001 09:16 PM ET (US)
Oops, shows you how old my tripod is. Use a video camera tripod, the head unit seems to rotate better than a tripod made for a 35mm camera. An inexpensive laser can be purchased from Northern Hydraulics.

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Author	Topic: Straight Waterline
DIVE 1	posted 01-13-2001 11:05 AM ET (US) Thought this might be helpful for anyone adding or replacing a waterline for bottom painting or adding striping. Tools required:Laser level($20.00), VCR tripod, Pencil 1. Mark the bow and stern of the hull with a pencil to indicate the ends of the line. 2. Wire tie the laser level to the camera mount on a VCR tripod. 3. Set tripod about 20' from the side of the hull towards the bow. 4. Swing laser on tripod to ensure beam hits all contours of hull(especially under chine and spray rails). If beam misses any portion of the hull, move tripod(usually towards bow), reswing the laser and verify the beam hits all of the contours. Repeat this step as necessary. 5. Swing laser from bow to stern marks. Note height difference, adjust trailer tongue jack until marks are level. 6. Adjust tripod height so laser is same height from ground as pencil marks on the hull. 7. Swing laser from bow to stern and make final adjustments to trailer jack and tripod as needed. 8. Have an assistant start at the bow and make a pencil mark every few inches as you swing the laser beam towards the stern pencil mark on the hull. 9. When you have all of the pencil marks on the hull, swing the laser back towards the bow and verify that nothing shifted and the line is straight. We have used this technique on wooden lapstrake hulls and the water lines are true and straight every time. Note: There is also a laser available that portrays a wide angle line(one continuous line from the bow mark to the stern mark), but the cost is substantially higher.
Arch Autenreith	posted 01-13-2001 10:51 PM ET (US) Dive 1 I have been thinking how to do that before I put it in the water this spring. This will do the trick. Again, thanks.
Toad2001	posted 01-18-2001 09:04 PM ET (US) Dive 1, I plan to do this job in the spring. (Terminology question) I assume a VCR tripod is a Camera/Video Camera Tripod? Also, where can I purchase a Laser Level ($20)? I haven't seen them for sale before (but I haven't really looked). Thanks.
DIVE 1	posted 01-18-2001 09:16 PM ET (US) Oops, shows you how old my tripod is. Use a video camera tripod, the head unit seems to rotate better than a tripod made for a 35mm camera. An inexpensive laser can be purchased from Northern Hydraulics.