I’ve spent many years on the docks watching sailors struggle with flexible tape measures that have a mind of their own. You measure once, it slips. You measure twice, you forget if you were on the inside or outside of the rail.
If you want a sprayhood or bimini frame that fits your boat like a glove—whether it’s a Hanse 531 or a Shipman 28 — it’s time to stop acting like a 19th-century land surveyor. If you’ve got an iPhone 13 Pro or newer, you’ve got LiDAR technology in your pocket.
Here is the Seadog’s step-by-step guide to 3D scanning your boat for a perfect Freyaframes fit.
Step 1: Clear the Deck (Literally)
The 3D scanner is like a nosy neighbor—it sees everything.
- Tidy Up: Move the random fenders, life jackets, and beer cans. If it’s in the cockpit, it’ll end up in my 3D model.
- The “Worst Case” Boom: Lower your boom to the lowest position you’d ever use while sailing for bimini design.
- Clearance is King: Leave the winch handles in place. I want to see exactly how much room we need so you don’t bash your knuckles once the frame is installed.
- The Backstay Trick: If your Bimini sits near the backstay, put a piece of masking tape on the stay at the height where you want the roof. Glossy stainless steel can be “invisible” to lasers, so that tape gives the scanner something to “grab.”
Step 2: Fire Up the Tech
Go to the AppStore and download the 3D Scanner App™. It’s free, and it’s the best tool for the job.
Step 3: Dial in the Settings
Don’t just hit “scan” and hope for the best. Open the app, go to “Normal” in the bottom right, and select “LiDAR Advanced.” To get the precision I need to build your frame, set your toggles to:
- Confidence: High
- Range: 2.0 meters (keeps the scan focused on the boat, not the harbor)
- Masking: None
- Resolution: 11 mm (this is the “Sweet Spot” for detail)
Step 4: The “Slow Dance” Scan
Hit the record button and move slowly. Imagine you are painting the cockpit with a brush.
- Walk around the entire area where the sprayhood or bimini will live.
- Make sure the cockpit floor and the boom are scanned too.
- If the app shows a “hole” or a missing chunk, go back over it.
- Don’t Panic: It doesn’t need to look like a Pixar movie. As long as I can see the deck, the rails, and the obstacles, I can design your frame.
Step 5: Send the Data to the Mother Ship
Once you’re done, click “Process Scan”, choose “Medium” for the best results.
Now, give your scan a name (e.g., “Hanse 531 New Scan”) and hit Share. These files are too big for a regular email—they’re packed with data. Use Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer and send the link to jaanus@freyaframes.eu.
What Happens Next?
Once I have your scan, the “magic” happens. I’ll design your frame in a 3D environment using your boat’s exact geometry. I’ll share the design with you, and once you say “Aye,” we manufacture the kit and ship it to your door.
You get a professional, custom-fit frame that you can install yourself, with the peace of mind that it was designed specifically for your boat—not some generic template.
Ready to start? Download the app and head to the marina. The future of boat canvas is here, and it doesn’t involve a tape measure.