Tugboat Waterline

[ajferkovich]

I am confused. My Saito Hercules kit plans indicate that the aft waterline is 3 3/4 inches up from the bottom of the keel. However the waterline at the bow is only 3 inches. I certainly believe that the designer intended it this way, but I thought a waterline was supposed to be parallel with the keel line. It would follow that when I ballast my model the rear end will be lower in the water than the front and will have to "plough" through the water.
How do you draw a water line if it is not parallel with the keel? Prop up the bow?? Pardon the dumb question, but I am new to this and can't see the reasoning.
I know some of you have built the Herc and will have a ready answer.
Thanks
ajf

[patmat2350]

Now Andy, you know I'm only a call away!
Yes, it was typical for the keel to head downhill towards the stern on boats like this.
And yes, easiest way to mark the line is by propping her up with the intended line parallel to the table. Then use a marker (pencil, scribe, etc.) attached to a block of wood to run the line all around. Some folks make special marking fixtures just for this job.

Pat Matthews

p.s.: You better bring that boat to our Fun Run in Canton next week!

[patmat2350]

Waterline marker:

http://modelexpo-online.com/images/p11579B.JPG

at:
http://modelexpo-online.com/cgi-bin/sgin0101.exe?FNM=06&T1=AM7378&UID=2006100722515751&UREQA=1&TRAN85=N&GENP=

PM

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Now Andy, you know I'm only a call away!
Yes, it was typical for the keel to head downhill towards the stern on boats like this.
And yes, easiest way to mark the line is by propping her up with the intended line parallel to the table. Then use a marker (pencil, scribe, etc.) attached to a block of wood to run the line all around. Some folks make special marking fixtures just for this job.

Pat Matthews

p.s.: You better bring that boat to our Fun Run in Canton next week!


And this is exactly what Pat is talking about... :cool:

[steveciambrone]

I have a Hercules built by a friend of mine, and it is as you described. It is typical for ships to have a waterline like this. Warning don't show your friends all your boats, they may just talk you into selling it them.

Thanks
Steve

[LtDoc]

Unfortunately (maybe), there's no set reference of the water line on a boat (keel). Each boat is different in how it 'sits' in the water, more a matter of peformance/efficiency than anything else.
- 'Doc

[ajferkovich]

Thanks for the info. I quess the answer to "why" is, there is no answer.
After seeing Pat's and Umi's pics I used what I had on the bench and came up with this.
Steve, are your Saitos steam powered? I would love to see some of the pics as I am enamored with steam, but have no guts to attempt one.