Finding Level Out Of Water

[lilpig]

Hoping I'm posting this isn the right area.

I have a 14 Aluminum Starcraft that I'm going to put a floor in along with a raised front platform. Simular to what you see in a bass boat. A friend of mine did this on his and I loved fishing from it.

What I want to end up with is the floor being level when the boat is sitting in the water when it's just the boat in the water. No people, motor or any gear.

Anyone have an idea of how to figure out what level is? Do I put the level on the keel? Put it inside the boat on the ribs? On rail on the sides?

 

[arks]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

You gotta get her wet.
Take the 'naked' boat to a ramp and splash it.
Mark the waterline with a grease pencil.
Haul it home and pull it off the trailer.
Put a pipe or log under the keel (running across the beam).
adjust the hull F-R until the waterline is level.
Block the hull securely.
Build your floor and platform.
Add ballast as needed to equalize.

I gotta ask- why wouldn't you build the platform to be level when the boat is fully rigged?

 

[lilpig]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Not an easy task to get it to a launch. The closest one was closed last summer for "repairs" and not reopened again. The next one is about 45 min away. Any other suggestions?

I would like to do it without the other items in it because I have 2 different size motors, different people I take fishing (kids and adults) and different gear. So I figured it I do it without the equipment, I can average it out by placement. I'm open to ideas.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Open to ANY ideas? Here's a wild one. Build a 14' long swimming pool with 2x10s and line it with a tarp. That should hold plenty of water to float it. Just do it fast before the water hardens up.

 

[lilpig]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Ya know, I do have a swimming pool. Hmmmmm. Wonder what the wife will think.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Find the center of gravity...

Get a few friends and rest the boat on a 4x4 on LEVEL ground ( garage works good ). Move the boat forward or backward on its keel until its basically balances out. Have a buddy go around with a tape measure and mark the hull equally all the way around.

Put the boat back on its trailer and transfer the marks to the inside of the boat.

Without actually putting the boat in the water this is the only way I can think of.

YD.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Ya know, I do have a swimming pool. Hmmmmm. Wonder what the wife will think.

Tell her it's R & D.

I personally would measure down from the gunwales all the way around the boat to a spot that I think would best suit my needs, taking into consideration the ease of the build and what I wanted after it was built... or I'd at least look at it this way and make adjustments as needed.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Why bother? It's going to change so much and so easily with where you stow your gear, with the weight of your fishing partner of the day, with the amount of fuel on board, etc. Build it to match the boat lines.

 

[lilpig]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Here are some pics of the boat in my garage.

I'm wondering if the manufacture knew where level would be and put the seats at level. If that's the case, I should be able to go off the bench brakets that are still in there correct?

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

I've been having the same problem on my project boat. Noting is level or not curved. The cockpit deck slopes aft. I'm not even sure if tge salon floor (mostly gone) was actuallt level. Plus, I will be adding/changing so much equipment and fiberglass that I can't even estimate the effect of that. So, I am just going with the original salon floor line as level. Side to side level was a bit easier. So I blocked the boat just off the trailer for "level" both directions.

Hopefully, I'll be close. The good news is that I don't think little differences will be all that noticeable, or so I've been told.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Ok, you're making this more complicated than it needs to be.

I'd pick out one of the horizontal shiplap creases I liked and go with that, it'll be much easier.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Here are some pics of the boat in my garage.

I'm wondering if the manufacture knew where level would be and put the seats at level. If that's the case, I should be able to go off the bench brakets that are still in there correct?

Ayuh,.... As already stated, it's a tiny tinny so the levels change Constantly...

Yer really, Really, REALLY over-thinkin' this whole thing....

 

[64osby]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

Use the seat attachments to attach your platform.

Spanning the all the seat mounts is part of the boats structure.

I wouldn't go higher the boat will tend to get tipsy in my opinion.

Maybe make it a removable platform, add some front supports and have it rest on your front seat. Gives you more options on using the boat.

Your also looking at adding lot of weight (floor and platform) which will reduce your people & gear capacity.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

I wouldnt go as high as the chines for your main floor level on that boat, probably lower by one or two strakes......you might be able to use the seat mounting brackets as a guide for level......measure down from them.

 

[lilpig]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

I have a good idea of where to put it now thanks to everyones advice.

Now I would love to find some some folks who have this Bluefin that has a floor in it who could give me some measurements from their boat.

I'm not going for perfection on it being level, just want it close.

Also I would love your ideas on how you did yours.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Finding Level Out Of Water

I'm not going for perfection on it being level, just want it close.

Ayuh,.... I think the point yer missin', 'n many folks miss, is that there's nothin', Ever level in a boat.....

Boats are always rockin', 'n rollin' in the water,...
Where ya sit yer butt, or the bait bucket changes the attitude of the boat...

Years ago, when I was buildin' my semi-rigid bimini, an accocate stopped by, 'n gave me a 'ell of a hard time about it being so Flat,...
1/2" pitch over 8'....
This ya-hoo builds signs, 'n stuff, 'n understands drainage, but just could Not understand that Level, 'n Boats are irrevelant to each other...

That was 10 years or so ago,... I built it My way, Square by measurements, Not level...
It's never held a drop of rain water, 'cause even at rest at the dock on flat water, it rocks, 'n rolls enough to drain....