a tattoo with a real boaty purpose :)

[sarabande]

Just think of the time it would save looking for a tape !

How about a 360 degree protractor on the back of your hand ?

 

[RichardS]

I've got a tat just like that one, although it's not down my leg.

Richard

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I doubt whether it will maintain long-term accuracy. Of course, that may be an incentive for maintaining ones figure!

Much simpler (and less painful) to use:
Top joint of thumb = 1"
Tip of middle finger to elbow = 1 cubit (=18"). I use this all the time when measuring furniture to see if it will fit! It was good enough for building pyramids, so it'll do for me.
Width of outspread arms = about 5', but varies with height and build - but fixed for a particular person and useful for measuring rope!
Width of hand across 4 fingers (not including the thumb) = about 4" (used to measure horses, I am told!)

 

[tudorsailor]

I doubt whether it will maintain long-term accuracy. Of course, that may be an incentive for maintaining ones figure!

Much simpler (and less painful) to use:
Top joint of thumb = 1"
Tip of middle finger to elbow = 1 cubit (=18"). I use this all the time when measuring furniture to see if it will fit! It was good enough for building pyramids, so it'll do for me.
Width of outspread arms = about 5', but varies with height and build - but fixed for a particular person and useful for measuring rope!
Width of hand across 4 fingers (not including the thumb) = about 4" (used to measure horses, I am told!)

Nose to fingertip is a yard - approximately

TS

 

[Dan Tribe]

I've got a tat just like that one, although it's not down my leg.

Richard

Is it retractable, or folding?

 

[johnalison]

Little finger nail at arms length just over half a degree.

 

[RAI]

Is it retractable, or folding?

Telescopic, I suspect.

 

[Old Harry]

Nose to fingertip is a yard - approximately

TS

I have a sister in the Gas Board, if you want t meet er

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I've got a tat just like that one, although it's not down my leg.

Richard

Yeah .... we're talking about a substitute for a tape measure, not a micrometer ....

 

[Halo]

I've got a tat just like that one, although it's not down my leg.

Richard

I bet the fishes (and crews) eyes open an bit wider when you start brandishing that about.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Nose to fingertip is a yard - approximately

TS

True, but inconvenient to use to actually measure something, unless it's an arrow.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Little finger nail at arms length just over half a degree.

That's handy. I always visualize the width of the moon (also half a degree), but the moon isn't always convenient as a reference.