Measuring Your Kayak for a Custom Cover
We maintain patterns for over 300 specific hull designs. When your boat is in our library, your cover is cut to its exact lines. When it isn't — because it's a custom build, a new model, or a boat we haven't worked with yet — we create a new pattern from measurements you take at home.
This page walks you through each measurement step by step. When you're ready to record your numbers, you can fill them in through our online measurement form or download a printable PDF if you'd prefer a paper copy to write on while you work.
Submit your measurements through our online form — it's the fastest way to get your cover into production.
Preparation
Set the kayak in an open space where you can move around it freely. Getting it off the ground makes everything easier — sawhorses or boat stands are ideal. Gather your tools before you start.
All measurements in this guide are in inches, rounded to the nearest quarter-inch.
Bow & Stern Profiles
We need accurate profiles of your bow and stern to shape the cover's end panels. In most cases, we can pull these from the manufacturer's website or specifications.
If the manufacturer has a clear side-profile photograph of the entire kayak — taken squarely from the side, not angled from above — send us the link or photo and we can usually work from that.
If a usable manufacturer photo isn't available, capture the profiles yourself using one of the methods below.
Option 1: Digital Photographs (Recommended)
Take separate photos of the bow and stern with a measuring tape or ruler held against the hull for scale. Frame the shot so the camera is square to the side of the hull, aimed at the midpoint of the height. A helper makes this easier, but it's straightforward to do alone — use painter's tape to hold the measuring tape in place if needed.
Option 2: Paper Tracings
If digital photos aren't an option, hold a large sheet of paper or newsprint flat against the side of the bow or stern (a piece of cardboard behind the paper gives you a firm drawing surface). Trace the side profile with a felt-tipped marker, capturing the full shape from the tip to where it transitions to the keel line. Label each tracing "bow" or "stern" and indicate which direction is up.
On the measurement form, you'll indicate how you're providing the profiles — manufacturer spec, your own photos, paper tracings, or if you're not sure and want to discuss it.
Overall Length
Measure the length of your kayak from the tip of the bow to the tip of the stern.
Circumference at 1-Foot Intervals
This is the main measuring step. Wrap your cloth tailor's tape all the way around the kayak at each 1-foot position from the bow. Make sure the tape is vertical at each position — not slanted toward the bow or stern.
Stretch your long measuring tape from bow tip to stern tip as a reference line. It can rest on the deck — no need to pull it perfectly tight. Make sure the zero-point is even with the forward-most part of the bow.
Record a circumference at every foot — 1-foot, 2-foot, 3-foot, and so on — all the way to the stern. The stern will rarely land exactly on a foot mark, and that's fine. Leave blank any positions past the end of your boat.
Largest Circumference
Measure the largest circumference of the kayak. On many kayaks this isn't the widest point of the hull — it's somewhere around the peak of the cockpit coaming, where the deck height adds to the total wrap. Record both the circumference measurement and its distance from the bow. It rarely falls exactly on a foot mark.
Carrying Handles & Rudder
Bow and Stern Carry Handles
Measure the location and describe each carry handle or toggle. For the bow handle, measure from the tip of the bow. For the stern handle, measure from the tip of the stern. On the form, you'll also describe each handle — toggle on rope, molded handle, recessed handle, and so on.
Rudder
If your kayak has a rudder, describe the type: under-stern, deck-stowed with cradle, surf ski style, or other. For an under-stern rudder, record where the blade starts relative to the bow. For a deck-stowed rudder, record the cradle location relative to the bow. If you don't have a rudder, skip this on the form.
Submit Your Measurements
The form collects everything from the steps above — boat info, circumference at each foot, largest circumference, handles, and rudder details. Takes about 5–10 minutes to fill in.
OPEN MEASUREMENT FORM →We'll review your measurements and reach out if anything needs clarification. Don't forget to email your bow and stern profile photos to hello@redleafdesigns.com with your name and boat model in the subject line.
Something unclear? Your boat has an unusual feature?
Call (906) 451-4539 or email hello@redleafdesigns.com.
We've patterned hundreds of boats — there isn't much we haven't seen.