How to Take Lines and Make a Boat Plan

Taking the lines off an existing boat is done to create building plans for a boat that has none, or whose plans were lost. When the lines of a boat are taken, a "lines drawing", also called a "table of offsets", can be produced which can be used to build a copy of the boat, make a model, and document information about the hull's form for an archive or to study as part of learning about boat building. Plans can also be inputted into a computer boat design program to make a 3-D virtual model.

For digitally capturing the lines of a hull, you can use specialized software like Rhino 3D, FreeShip, DELFTship, or CADMATIC Hull, or use tools like digital tape measures, surface gauges, and digital calipers for manual measurements, which can then be imported into software for 3D modeling.

There are many ways to take the lines of a boat. In this class you will learn the old fashioned method, as well as some newer techniques. Join lead instructor Wayne Ford and instructor John Czuy for an introduction to analog and digital methods for taking lines in this one-day beginner class.

Dates: Sat., June 21, 9 AM to 5 PM
Instructors: Wayne Ford and John Czuy
Class size (max.): 8
Attendance (min.): 3*
Skill level: basic
Prerequisites: none; some lofting knowledge is helpful

Registration (per person)
Household Member & Above: $185**
Individual Member: $194**
General Public: $204
Register By: June 17

*Classes that do not meet the minimum attendance number may be cancelled or rescheduled. If so, you will receive a full refund, or class credit, regardless of the cancellation date.

**We encourage you to become a member (for as little as $30/year) to receive discounted class tuition. You must be a current member on the date of registering to receive your discount. Please login to activate your member discount. To become a new member, please sign up here, or call 845-338-0071.

Instructor: Wayne Ford is a master woodworker and shipwright with extensive timber framing experience. His decades of boatbuilding experience includes participating in the restoration of the sloop Woody Guthrie and the sloop Clearwater. He teaches a wide range of woodworking classes, YouthBoat boatbuilding, timber framing, and special project classes at the Wooden Boat School.