Classic Australian Wooden Power Boat Association

Is there a way to tell how a hull will sit in the water ? Eg. find the aprox. water line.
Do you mesure the hull at the transom from the keel to a point on the side and transfer that 3/4 up the hull and draw a line ?
Trying to work out if I carnt fit a long light motor then a short fat one may have to go in, length is a problem in the engine bay with cross bearer and fly wheel, but dont want it to be nosing in the water.
Ross

Ross, what was your idea of a long light one?

Red hloden 6

V small block chev