Thanks Mark, I'll try this as soon as I get a chance.

Sorry Ed, forgot you are in the states, you would know meths as wood alcohol, most types of paint thinner would do the job, wipe the hull all over then try the talc again, hope it works this time!!!!

Mark

HI Mark, I'm not sure what happened any way the talc didn't work at all. and I don't have a laser level, what a Meths is that like alcohol?

HI Ed, How you getting on??? the failed talc line is proboly down to oil or contamination on the hull, talc washing off not sticking, wash down with solvent such as meths

Mark

HI Mark
I set my models up with a laser, it's on a sprite level, so you get the line on the right angle. The one l have gives line, and a cross, and it only cost £6.50. hope this helps.
Regards Dave 👍

Good suggestion, well worth trying. Must admit the pointer was free and Laser levels are quite a bit more costly!

Never even thought about a pointer, could be even better with a laser level, would give a constant line to mark of the hull, would give you time to adjust the hull for level as well

Mark

Thanks, I will try!

Have never had much success with the pencil in a holder technique (set at the appropriate height) around a counter. The pencil tends to wander so the line does the same.
Substituted a laser pointer for the pencil and then marked the red spots on the hull. The marks can then be linked up and you have the waterline.

I just tried the talc in the tub thing but it failed, what else can I do to put a waterline?

Thanks Mark I will readjust her ballast accordingly! 👍

HI Ed. Try to keep the bows up and the stern level, this will give the stern some freeboard (she will sit down as you sail)

Mark

HI Mark, thanks the mark you see five tires aft of the bow was put there by me. as a reference to the waterline! I wasn't sure if it should go there now I now it should! my original thought was she was riding high guess not. on close observation I see the prop will be submerged OK and should not cavitate! I will let you know if the prop cavitates.

HI Ed, had a good look, in the last photo 6 there is a white mark 5 tyres from the bow. looking along the hull line if the keel is level I would think that would be your line, from bow to stern but this might leave the tip of the prop close to the surface, test the hull at that level and possibly ballast the stern slightly if the prop is cavitating

Mark

I took these just right now I hope you can see what you need to help me figure out the waterline!

HI Ed, looking at the photo, the tyres at the stern are partly submerged, as well as the lower rubbing strake, I think the strake should be 1/4" to 1/2" above the waterline, could you show a photo out of the water and possibly rolled slightly so we can see were the undercut of the prop is in relation to the hull, it is probable that she is over ballasted and generally to low in the water

Mark

Question how high should I go above the water for the waterline?

yes, I put her ballast amidships far and aft but, her main batteries are placed toward the bulwark port and starboard.
this I did because I have no battery box's or room enough. so hopefully the main batteries act as counter weights against her rolling!

OOOHH your sailing close to the wind, if she sees this your dead!!!!

Had a close look at the hull, being long and narrow you will get it rolling, if you can alter the ballast, making it long and thin right into the keel line this will reduce the roll IE fitted between the bulkheads and along side the keel, possibly with lead shot the finer the better so it will compact down as low as possible.

An alternative would be a detachable keel, screwed to the hull on the outside, so lowering the moment of roll below the hull.

My Amsterdam suffers the same problem, this was helped by adding bilge keels to the hull, the real Amsterdam was a real pig reports say she could roll on a mill pond, caused by the round bilge hull having no grip or stability once the roll starts

Mark

I'm talking about the boat not the wife!
anyway about the water line I've made her low to bow and stern to make her not list to port or starboard while turning . she is top heavy at best and I thought I would make her low in the water! but maybe I should raise her 1/8 of an inch to accommodate for the waterline.
Did I neglect to mention my Tugboat is one yrs old. and it has never been in open waters the pond that I know of is kind of far for me to walk to.

HI Ed, if the rubbing strip is nearly in the water she is sitting stern down, try moving ballast forward or removing some completely to lighten the stern. if you are sailing in a bit of choppy water you will get water entering the rear deck, also when running astern water will buildup and flow onto the deck. Tugs dont have much freeboard at the stern so keep her stern fairly high.

Test sailing did you have any problems with the propwash boiling etc causing you to lower the stern???

Mark

"I hope this really works, because the way she sits in the water her lowest rub rail is partially in the way!
well anyway I'll post some pics if I'm successful."

I really hope you are talking about the boat & not the wife 😊

Its an old technique and works well BUT make sure you have cleaned the hull of any solvents or you may destroy surface tension around the hull and ruin your line.

I hope this really works, because the way she sits in the water her lowest rub rail is partially in the way!
well anyway I'll post some pics if I'm successful.
Thanks, for all the advice.

PHEW, I get to live a bit longer, you have dollar stores we have pound shops, same thing. Hope it works out for you

Mark

Oh, I know not to use her expensive stuff, I thought maybe I'll go to the Dollar store and pick up some cheap talc.
and some bathtub cleaner she'll kill me if I leave it a mess!

Unless you are tired of living!!!!!! get some very cheap stuff. Use her good talc and we will both DIE!!!! have you got any chalk, like the powdered stuff that builders use on their chalk lines, or some chalk stick for blackboards, with a very fine food grater or a file, does the same job without the risk to life.

ULTRA WARNING when you have finished CLEAN THE BATH!!!!!!!

Mark

WOW, Your a genius I never would have thought of this! Thanks Mark. 👍
Wouldn't you know it the wife just ran out of talc

HI ED. Daft as it sounds, your problem is easy!!!!!! moore your tug in the center of the bath, make sure the water is still then sprinkle talc onto the water, it will stick to the hull along the waterline.

CRITICAL bit, lift the hull out straight and level then allow to dry, draw round the line and "hey presto", it does help that your hull is black

Mark

Hey Mark,
I got it, my problem is her stern swoops under and I cant see where to start the aft mark of the waterline!
do you have any suggestions!
if you take a look at her picture she sits low at her stern I did this to make her as stable as possible while underway!

HI ED. Stop, the waterline must be mesured with all equipment and batteries. Only then will you get a true reading

Mark

Thanks Mark,
I really appreciate it now it's just the task of taking everything out of her engine room!

HI figtree, first float the hull in the bath, mark waterline at bow and stern, dry off then mount the hull so that the 2 arks are level, tape a soft pencil to a block of wood adjusted to the correct hight, draw round the hull to get the right line, mask the upper side of the line then paint the hull bottom, let dry overnight then mask the lower hull and paint the upper section.

To get a water line I use car lining tape (2mm) white. again following the painted line all round the hull, best if you lay the hull on its side, attach at the bow then unroll a length clear of the hull, lay the tape tight but not stretched direct onto the rear of the hull side, you wont be able to go from bow to stern in one go because of the undercut at the stern.

If not happy lift the tape and re-lay, once happy smooth the length of the tape with a soft cloth, once you have the waterline tape in place, overspray with clear acrillic either matt or semI matt, this stops the tape being scuffed on the dockside and when handling.

Hope this is clear

Mark