Long straight edge for fairing

[Maine Priority]

I need to fair the transom of my boat (7'). What do you folks use for a long straight edge to identify peaks and valleys that need to be faired out?

[lelandtampa]

those supports for screened in porches. they are long aluminum extrusions. stiff straight and tough enough to be dropped or clamped.

[Fuzz]

I keep a 2 inch wide by 8 foot scrape of 1/4 plywood around for both a straight edge and a fairing batten.

[fallguy1000]

http://www.flexisanderusa.com/flexisand ... board.aspx

[Chenier]

You will find 8' lenths of aluminum or steel strips and angle "iron" in the metals bin at big box stores (right next to the threaded rod).

[Maine Priority]

All good ideas, thank you. The transom is 84" so I will try and locate a 8' piece of angle aluminum or steel. It doesn't have to be perfect but close.
Again, thanks.
Glenn

[DAYTRIP]

If you guide coat it and sand in an x pattern you can use a 3 foot fairing block. It will be flat.

[OrangeQuest]

All good ideas, thank you. The transom is 84" so I will try and locate a 8' piece of angle aluminum or steel. It doesn't have to be perfect but close.
Again, thanks.
Glenn

If you are in a Home Depot look in their tool section. I got a straight edge ruler, 84" I think, for under $20.00

[cape_fisherman]

Daytrip is correct. You don't have to span the entire transom. Even if you did, you probably wouldn't keep it on said surface 100% of the time since you need to be sanding at an angle and not straight up/down or side/side...sand at around a 45 or so (the "X" pattern). Anything much over 3' and you turn into a two-man fairing board pretty fast. A quick guide coat will show you your peaks & valleys pretty quick.

[ks8]

Is this the first time you have done this?

Is your transom, when finished, supposed to be perfectly flat, or, slightly curved, or strongly curved?

Is the transom the only thing you will be needing to fair in order to finish your project?

A good medium to long fairing board is 'the' tool for actually doing the shaping/sanding work.

Judging by the date of the post, I imagine you may be long done by now? If so, got pictures? And a quick summary of your methods? It may help others quite a bit.