leveling Lightning for restoration

[tnert]

I've acquired an old Lightning midway through restoration. The bottom planking has been removed, and some rotted ribs replaced. The centerboard trunk is rebuilt and roughly in position. I need to level the hull to permanently set the trunk. I have no plans, so first question is how do I level fore and aft? A drawing in Woodenboat shows the side of the transom near level with the bottom of the stem. Is this close enough? A tougher problem however is leveling side to side. When I get the stern section dead level the bow section is a inch out of level. I can't twist the boat. What is the solution at this point? Keep the stern level or split the difference? How will this effect the sailing?

[Bruce Hooke]

When you say you can't twist the boat, how hard have you tried? I would think that with the bottom planking out there would be some flexibility in the hull that would let you twist it so that both ends are level. You would, of course, then need to hold it like that until the bottom planking is back on. To successfully twist the hull you would need to have one end firmly held in place and then work at the other end with blocks and props to twist it into position.

However, if twisting it just isn't going to work then I would just split the difference -- I doubt it would have that much affect on how the boat sails, but if you are planning on racing this boat then I would try fairly hard to get the twist out.

On leveling it fore and aft it would be good if you got your hands on some plans although you could probably get away with ballparking it if you are not planning on racing. You can order copies of plans from the Lightning Association for $10, and they will send you the correct plans based on your hull number, so that is certainly the route I would go given how cheap the plans are. The website is: http://www.lightningclass.org/store/search_result.asp?Category=Plans

[Carl Simmons]

I would definitely invest in some plans as Bruce has suggested. I have just turned my Lightning built from the latest plans and the top of the centerboard trunk is parallel to the waterline. It sort of makes sense if you think about it. If you use this as a reference point you should be able to establish your fore and aft positions.

Carl.