Scribing a Waterline

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PeteNyce - 14 Jul 2005 04:47 GMT

Hi,

I've been building a Sterling Models 63' Chris Craft Constellation for
a number of years now. It's mostly done except for the details,
railings, masts, etc. I covered the balsa on the hull with plastic body
filler and block sanded to shape. I then sprayed the hull with gloss
white (Krylon), and the finish is beautiful. Problem is, I can't seem
to come up with a way to scribe a waterline so I can mask and paint the
bottom correctly. After spending many hundreds of hours in
construction, I don't want to screw it up now, even if I have to leave
the entire hull white. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks so much,

Pete

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Henry Springer - 14 Jul 2005 08:24 GMT

a way to scribe a waterline so I can mask and paint the

>bottom correctly.

Float it in the bath with some talcum poweder or, for a whit hull, a
similarly fine coloured powder. When you lift it out the true
waterline will be clearly visible.

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PeteNyce - 14 Jul 2005 19:13 GMT

Thanks Henry, that makes a lot of sense. I'll need to find a colored
powder, similar to talcum, and I'll try it.

Thanks again,
Pete

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Henry Springer - 16 Jul 2005 16:24 GMT

>Thanks Henry, that makes a lot of sense. I'll need to find a colored
>powder, similar to talcum, and I'll try it.
>
>Thanks again,
>Pete

The filler powder called micro balloons is good, medium brown colour.

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Umi_Ryuzuki - 14 Jul 2005 08:42 GMT

Build an upside down "T" platform with a couple of pieces of plywood 2
or 3" square.
Set your boat so that it is "waterline level" fore and aft, and side t
side.
Glue a pencil to the upside down "T" at the height you want to mark
and draw your water line.

Here is a picture of one I built for a project.
http://groups.msn.com/ModelersAndHobbyForum/japaneset103lstbuildup.msnw?action=S
howPhoto&PhotoID=16

--
Umi_Ryuzuk

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PeteNyce - 14 Jul 2005 19:09 GMT

Thanks Umi, that should work. My only concern is whether a pencil mark
will show on the super-glossy white finish, but it's certainly worth a
try.

Thanks again,
Pete

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John Mianowski - 15 Jul 2005 00:00 GMT

>Thanks Umi, that should work. My only concern is whether a pencil mark
>will show on the super-glossy white finish, but it's certainly worth a
>try.
>
>Thanks again,
>Pete

I've used something similar, but with a grease pencil. Maybe consider
a Sharpie marker? I've also done it by taping the pencil to a combo
square (has the advantage of an inch scale already inscribed).

I build combat warships, that need re-skinning (& therefore redrawn
waterlines) frequently, so I made up a rig consisting of a long 1"x2"
with a shorter one connected to one end by a bolt & wingnut. At the
other end of the short 1"x2" is another, still shorter 1"x2",
connected again with a bolt & wingnut. The 3rd 1"x2" has a hole
drilled through it so that a pen can be placed into it parallel to the
long stick.

Appologies if the following doesn't look right on your reader:

--------------------------------------+
/
<--+

The 2 adjustable joints are set so that the pencil point is the same
distance from the nearest surface of the long 1"x2" as the waterline
is from the bottom. Dragging the long stick across the bottom of the
ship scribes a nice waterline along the sides. I can zip them out in
seconds with the hull upside-down. Rightside-up, a table & rig like
Umi's is just fine - I just find myself working on an inverted hull
most of the time.

JM

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James Moir - 01 Sep 2005 14:59 GMT

There is someone who makes similar devices and sells them on e-bay. They
are on wheels and can be altered to suit a variety of sizes.

James Moir

> Build an upside down "T" platform with a couple of pieces of plywood 2"
> or 3" square.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Here is a picture of one I built for a project.

http://groups.msn.com/ModelersAndHobbyForum/japaneset103lstbuildup.msnw?action=S
howPhoto&PhotoID=168

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U.D. - 27 Jul 2005 19:02 GMT

I use a laser level gadget from HD to project a straight line on my
hulls. Then it is case of marking a line on the hull.

Dave Mainwaring
http://modelboats.blogspot.com/

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Water Models / September 2005

Scribing a Waterline