Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Re: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
By:Mark Seilis
Date: 3/16/2011, 3:40 pm
In Response To: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements (Aaron McConnell)

: Wondering if any one could explain to me how to take measurements
: on a kayak - depth, depth to sheer, waterline length, and
: anything else that may be important. I can't stop building (2
: this month) and am running out of room. I need to sell or donate
: some boats.
: Thanks

There are many more experienced than I, but here are some ideas. The main measurements I see referred to are overall length and max width. Depth if provided is usually at the deepest point, the deck height above the bottom of the keel, often just in front of the coaming. The height of the back deck just aft of the coaming is often of interest as well. Waterline length (& width) and displacement is relative to the load in the kayak, I would think some idea of the freeboard with a certain amount of weight (such as yourself) would be desirable so folks can judge for themselves what it will be like when they get into it. There are certainly other measurements such as deadrise, waterline width, rocker fore and aft, depth to sheer, etc, etc , but a couple of good pictures will tell most folks what they need to know about it. The only sure way to know how a boat handles is to try it out.

Messages In This Thread

Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
Aaron McConnell -- 3/16/2011, 11:31 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
Doug S -- 3/16/2011, 1:06 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
Mark Seilis -- 3/16/2011, 3:40 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
StephenHJ -- 3/16/2011, 4:59 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
Aaron McConnell -- 3/16/2011, 10:08 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
Aaron McConnell -- 3/16/2011, 10:16 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
Paul G. Jacobson -- 3/17/2011, 6:40 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Taking measurements
Les Cheeseman -- 3/17/2011, 3:39 pm