It’s pretty easy to get close. The easy stuff is easy–like hatch covers. They’re usually simple geometric shapes. Just draw them up with the measurements from the templates in whichever program you like. The HARDER parts are pieces that touch the gunwales/sides of the boat. Now, boats are usually constructed with fair curves, so it’s pretty easy to get right. What I would do is… imagine a line from stern to bow. Mark points every 12" along that line. At each one of those measure the width of the template perpendicular to that bow/stern line. Then I would bring that information in to CAD as construction geometry and draw a spline/arc from the first point to the last, and adjust it till it goes through all the points. This is the exact process I used to build ALL of our floor plans for our boats and it was accurate to within 1/4" over a 23’ boat.
OH, you were asking for an easy way? Nope, can’t help you there. If you are good with Photoshop/Illustrator you can take the template and lay out some reference points on it (like a square of a known size) then take a photo of it with your phone, use the square to correct the perspective/size of the image, then create a vector outline that way.
Perfect. The ignition kit I was looking for was for cars. This is better. I can do that. Now to figure out the impeller, drive system and pump and where to buy the parts.
I have an instant river (earmuff looking things for cooling system water). I’ll track down my manual and see what I can do. It’d be nice to have my boat running after it’s sat for 3 years. I don’t want to start it until the water pump and impeller are working properly. It’s parked in my garage away from the weather and I was told it ran when he bought his new boat. We’ll see.
Thanks for the assist on the ignition system. Now if I can start a small business with my MPCNC machine, I’ll be in seventh heaven.
Figured I would give this thread an update. A little masking tape around the edges and all is well after flattening out the material. Been cutting out some simple shapes so far and have not needed to template or measure much. Thanks for the advice on templating Tim! I will be sure to give it a go. I am hoping. To find some material whether it be hydroturf or Seadek locally so that I might be able to purchase it without being rolled up. I’ve gotten a ton of interest in it so far. Currently cutting interior cabin deck pieces for my own boat. I am very happy with the results so far! Cooler tops and fish rulers next!
