David Manthey wrote:

Is there an official way to determine the length of a boat?

Title 46 of the US Code of Federal regulations defines vessel length as
the LOA (length overall) which is "a straight-line measurement of the
overall length from the foremost part of the vessel to the aftermost
part of the vessel, measured parallel to the centerline. Bowsprits,
bumpkins, rudders, outboard motor brackets, and similar fittings or
attachments, are not to be included in the measurement. Length must be
stated in feet and inches."

So any bow pulpits or bolted on swim platforms or davits would not be
inlcluded. However, swim platforms that are an integrally molded part of
a hull would be.

That's the length you'd need to state when registering or selling a
boat. Harbormasters, otoh, aren't required to use the legal
definition...they're concerned with how much dock space your occupies,
including anything that extends from the bow or stern.
--
Peggie
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Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304