boat measurements
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55327
Printed Date: 10 Jun 2026 at 11:01pm
Topic: boat measurements
Posted By: bluesignature
Subject: boat measurements
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 7:51am
| why dont we have a uniform way to measure boats to me when you ask how long or how big a boat is you should be told LOH (lenghth of hull) on some brands the model number is LOH and on some it seems to be what ever sounds nice examples amf 750 loh 6.9m extreme 750 loh 7.35 image 785 loh 7.25 allenco 7.5 loh 7.5 mclay 720 loh 7.2 surtees 7.3 loh 6.9 just a few examples so a 720 mclay is bigger than a 750 amf 750extreme and about the same lenghth as a 785 image guess its a case of buyer beware |
Replies:
Posted By: Fissure
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 8:19am
whats LOH? length on.....?
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Posted By: paw
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 8:27am
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I noticed that when looking for my first boat and McLay was about the only 'true' designation.Also notice they all state higher not lower than true measurement.My Senator 560 is a 540 hull. ------------- sleeping is a symptom of caffeine deprivation |
Posted By: Moki Marko
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 9:05am
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I owned a mac 420 and a stabi 475 at the same time, When I measured them they we're exactly the same length but the mac was about 400mm wider making it a much roomier boat. I think this is a real issue BS, interesting to note that the McLay's have a reputation for being roomy, maybe it's just because they're honest? |
Posted By: A C
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 9:18am
True hull length is waterline .......... that's why a 6m AMF will fit insde a 6m Mclay  ------------- Aye-Aye cloth eyes. |
Posted By: Captain Sensible
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 9:45am
| Some manufacturers quote a LOA (I'm guessing it means Length Over All?) |
Posted By: Bazzman58
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 12:21pm
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All craft are measured at the water line giving LoA (Length Over All). ------------- We all have one that got away.. |
Posted By: paw
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 12:44pm
Not my understanding of measurement. My Senator is quoted as LOA 5.75 and LOH 5.4. I always thought LOA was from front of bowsprit to rear of transom or duckboard. ------------- sleeping is a symptom of caffeine deprivation |
Bazzman58 wrote:Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 12:45pm
Not sure you got that one right Bazzman.
There are a bunch of different measurements used. Typically:
- LOA = Length over all - tip of bowsprit to end of swimstep/outboard pod etc
- LWL = Length at water line usually the length of the hull measured at the water line
- Length on Hull - depends you you are talking to a little what this means
- Bouyant Length - Usually LWL, but can be confused by transom extensions etc
- LOD = Length on deck
.... etc
You actually need different measurements to work out different things about your boat. If you want to know what size berth, drystack, or garage etc then LOA is important. If you want to know how roomy the boat is then LOD might be better than the next indicator of LWL or LOH.
Most manufacturers use the longest length to make their boat look better value for money. Some have a history of using 'hull length' and have stuck with it, whilst some other manufacturers have 'transitioned' there model sizes and what was once a 720 is now a 750 etc.
Some people will argue that the 'true' measurement is LWL or 'hull length', but when you compare a fine entry hull with a hull with a much fuller entry, LWL will tend to understate the room and 'seaworthiness' in the fine entry hull. Whilst LOA might slightly underrepresent the fuller hull in the same comparison. I once had a '5.8m' boat that had a huge cockpit and room to sleep in the cabin fully stretched out. Reality it was a fuller entry hull and over 6.2m LOA. Much more boat than most 5.8's that you would buy today.
Bottom line is that the comparisons are not that simple, so when comparing models you need to look a bit further than the model number. Personally I prefer the LOA measurement as it is one that I can best make sense of. LWL or 'hull length' numbers leave more uncertainty in my mind, but I know many others who don't share that opinion..
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Posted By: Bazzman58
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 12:50pm
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I could be totally wrong and probably are, they seem to change it to what ever makes the boat seem bigger so they can sell it for more. ------------- We all have one that got away.. |
Posted By: Keith C
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2010 at 3:39pm
I believe Tagit has hit the nail on the head. The manufacturers refer to a model number and you need to dig further and look at the numbers that are important to you. There are also definitions for each e.g. LOA so that they cannot vary (that would possibly be a breach of advertising standards).
So, know what you are looking for and go from there.
P.S. Both my current and previous boats are far longer than the model number may suggest. However, adjectives are subjective and at the manufacturers discretion e.g 'Wide' . A 'Wide' pontoon boat can still have a narrow internal beam e.g. 760 mm!!
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