Bill,

Thanks for the note. Glad my words/thoughts were appreciated.

While I'm not sure about canoe's, it isn't just the overall percentage
difference. The important part is HOW you locate that difference.

I have a set of STOCK plans from a well-known designer. It was a larger
version of an earlier boat. {Most likely offered because of 'customer
demand'}Neither was 'new' so probably 100's had already been sold.
IMMEDIATELY after opening them & and looking them over . . . 'something'
seemed 'wrong'. I couldn't put my finger on it, but they just didn't
look right/smooth. {Bare in mind, although my background is engineering,
I am NOT a Naval Architect. Nor do I use 'Hulls', or any other such
program.

If memory serves, it was a multi-chine hull with a skiff-type 'pointy
bow', as opposed to the 'transom bow' of a pram-type. Because of the
forward shape, the panels had an asymmetrical curve. There was NO WAY
the curve could be achieved fairly with the indicated 'plot points'
{Station Locations}. Or maybe it was just something I had missed. {At
this point I had not yet lofted the plans.}I felt foolish, but I wrote
to the designer, and 'asked' if he had missed a 'plot point'. I received
a note back, from his firm - not directly from him. Enclosed was a
segment of a new plan . . . with the MISSING point NOW indicated.

MY guess is that the plans were 'computer generated' and the length
changed by just 'stretching' the fore part of the design. However,
'somebody' didn't think . . . and didn't bother to re-calculate the
station positions !! I often wonder how many people bought these plans
and built boats from them - either an awful mess or given up in
frustration !!

One of my 'anal' habits is to make a copy of any new plan. I then cut-up
the plan, mount the 'parts' on some heavy 'poster board' and make a
'plan scale' model. This gives me an idea how the boat will look - in 3
dimensions - , give me a feel for any building problems, and show up any
errors I may have missed. {I them make ANOTHER copy to take into the
shop . . . NEVER originals}.

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop



"Bill" wrote in message
. ..
Is it considered copyright infringement to change all the dimensions on
the
plans in order to enlarge the boat for personal use?