How to Measure the Trim & List of a Vessel
- 1). Stand amidships (at the midpoint between the bow and stern) and look at your inclinometer. Also known as a clinometer, this device will tell you the difference in angle between true horizontal and the plane of the deck. Setting the inclinometer on the deck and comparing its straightedge with the level will tell you the angle and direction of your list.
- 2). Note the ship's draftmarks at the fore and aft (near the bow and the stern). These will be a vertical series of numbers indicating the draft, or depth in the water, of that spot on the boat.
- 3). Subtract the draft at the fore of the boat from the draft at the aft of the boat to get the boat's trim. A boat "down by the stern" is drafting deeper aft, while a boat "down by the head" is drafting deeper fore.