Yes, but since the bow is higher than the stern, you'll get a bum
measurement if you just run a tape measure over it. You should drop a plumb
bob off each end and measure between those vertical lines. LOA is the
length of the boat measure in this way, to the outer dimensions of the boat
....not including pulpits, rails, motors, etcetera ...measure the hull itself
(rubrails are part of the hull.)

Brian D




"gonefishn" wrote in message
news:CwFZf.1104$wH1.498@trnddc03...

"David Manthey" wrote in message
...
Is there an official way to determine the length of a boat?

For instance, I am captain of a wooden bateaux that the builder
claimed was 23' long. Measured from the very rear of the sternpost to
the very forward of the stem, it is 23' 9". Measured at the height of
the gunwale and including the stem and stern posts, the boat is 23'
0'. Exclusive of the stem and stern posts, the boat is 22' 6". The
typical 'fullen laden' water line is 21', while the length along the
bottom (it is flat bottom, so has no keel), is 19' 6".

So, my questions a (a) when telling someone the length of the boat,
which number do I use, and (b) has there been any standard on this
over time?

Usually the 'length' will be stated as "length at waterline" or "length
overall" to help explain.

details: http://tinyurl.com/js99b