Waterline; Interesting technique

[McIntoshUSA]

I guess if you placed a light level with the string this concept would work. Just thought it was neat, and had to share it.

 

[Ron20324]

That would be okay if you know how low she'd settle into the water.

 

[Ken Cross]

Someone at the marina suggested a laser level. The cheap home improvement center variety would need to be done at night to be bright enough, but just mount it on a tripod at waterline height away from the boat.

 

[woodster]

there is still garden hoses with clear ends that make great water levels ....lasers levels have just about put the garden hose levels out of business but if your batteries die you can still use a garden hose

 

[Capt jgw]

Obviously an old drawing, it's the laser method from before the laser was invented. Laser on a tripod would take just a few minutes to set up though.
As was mentioned, a cheap laser would have to be used in lower light to be visible, and on mine the line tends widen toward the ends. I just take the center of the line there and it works well.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Obviously an old drawing, it's the laser method from before the laser was invented. Laser on a tripod would take just a few minutes to set up though.
As was mentioned, a cheap laser would have to be used in lower light to be visible, and on mine the line tends widen toward the ends. I just take the center of the line there and it works well.

If you use the red goggles that come with the laser, you can do it in quite bright light

 

[Capt jgw]

Mine didn't come with goggles, I'll have to try that.

 

[Davidasailor26]

How do you know that the boat is blocked at the same pitch it sits at when in the water? Yards I know of generally block the boat a little low in the aft to ensure water won't puddle anyplace.

 

[Capt jgw]

You have to guess on that. Old waterline, scum line, whatever is still visible. You tilt the laser til it matches whatever clues you have. When I built my 24 footer, I had the design water line marked at the frames, but it was a crap shoot whether she would actually float that way. Came out pretty close though. Usually you know where the line should be, the laser just helps you mark it straight. Works real well to mark a boot stripe or similar, just measure where you want the line and strike a new one there.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Mc,

I assume you are talking about leveling bow to stern. Thinking on this, this level will always be in flux due to weight displacement.

Are your tanks filled & to what level or location? How about onboard weight like, provisions, tools, equipment etc.? If out sailing, the number of folks onboard & their location will always change the level line.

If you are talking about a boat's bubble level sitting alone at the dock, the scum line is the true indicator. My C30 leans alittle to port due to cabinetry weighting, design & anything lying around. Is there a perfectly "LEVEL" boat, I would venture to say no.

Trust your scum line to use as a tell all. Does being alittle off level really matter, I would have to say no. If more to the extreme, I would say, maybe.

CR