Marking the centre line in a boat?

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Pea Pod
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Marking the centre line in a boat?

Post by Pea Pod »

What’s the best way to find the centre line of the boat, from bow to stern?

I’m outfitting a kayak which has floppy pillars (so the centre rail is also loosely located). Any tips for making a centre line to work from?
magicmike
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Re: Marking the centre line in a boat?

Post by magicmike »

Use a flexible measuring tape like seamstress' use. Or do a bunch of math using Pi.
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yarnellboat
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Re: Marking the centre line in a boat?

Post by yarnellboat »

balance it on something narrow

edit: can't a guy delete his own posts. Wrong centre line - mis-read 'bow-to-stern', and ignored the kayak part, so not the best answer!
Last edited by yarnellboat on Sat Apr 25, 2015 7:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
River Elf C1s
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Re: Marking the centre line in a boat?

Post by River Elf C1s »

Take measurements inside the boat from the deck/hull parting line (or seam) across to the side of the pillar. Do this on both the left and right sides. If your pillar is in the center and the boat is symmetric, the measurement should be the same on both sides. If they are not, adjust your pillar (left or right) to make them both the same.

Do this for the bow and stern pillars and mark their "correct" locations.

Your center line can then be constructed by drawing a straight line from the center of the bow pillar to the center of the stern pillar.

See page 4 of the following link:

http://www.riverelf.com/RiverElfFoamPedestalInstall.pdf

Hope that helps...
Chris
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Pea Pod
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Re: Marking the centre line in a boat?

Post by Pea Pod »

River Elf C1s wrote:....

http://www.riverelf.com/RiverElfFoamPedestalInstall.pdf

Hope that helps...
Your tip is useful, and the associated document will help with the saddle install--cheers!
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Pea Pod
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Re: Marking the centre line in a boat?

Post by Pea Pod »

magicmike wrote:Use a flexible measuring tape like seamstress' use. Or do a bunch of math using Pi.
The tape sounds like a good idea.

Please elaborate on the pi part.
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Pea Pod
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Re: Marking the centre line in a boat?

Post by Pea Pod »

yarnellboat wrote:balance it on something narrow

edit: can't a guy delete his own posts. Wrong centre line - mis-read 'bow-to-stern', and ignored the kayak part, so not the best answer!
When I read your first sentence, I thought you were being very facetious!
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