LOA Question

raybo3

I have a 2002 342FV. I always thought my boat had an LOA of 37'. Someone measured my boat and said the LOA is 38'5". Does anyone know what the real LOA is? From tip of anchor to the edge of the swim platform.

Capt Ron

A 2007 350...which should be the same hull as a 342 is 37' 8" Got this from the sales brochure.

TonyWalker

There is a difference between the two models. The swim platform of the 342 is bolted on and the one for the 350 is part of the hull mold. I think I am correct on this. Because of the bolt on nature of the 342 platform, the coast guard documents this boat as 34 feet, even though I pointed out that the dock masters charged me for 37 feet. Although I ran across one docmaster while on the loop who charged me for a 34 foot boat and ignored the added 3 feet for the appendage. He was aware of the dimensions but insisted on using the documented lenght. For which I thanked him

212rowboat

Now you guys have my attention... Mebbe I should start a new thread, but its very similar..

My 212 has an extended swin platform making the LOA 23'2"... The coast guard here told me LOA is measured, not booked.. I could care less this upcoming season, but the following the state is upping taxes in boats 22+', which is a difference of $200ish dollars.. (thank God its not 40+', or even 28+' you don't wanna even know)..

Maybe I should dig through some coastie docs and see what's in print about such things.. that $200 is a case of beer and a tank of gas, which will last me more than a month..

212rowboat

Well..... The gas will, anyway... :-)

Black_Diamond

I always use 37'. No transient dock has complained yet!

212rowboat

Huh.. FWIW, the uscg determines a boats length by stem to stern EXCLUDING bowsprits, handrails, and swim platforms.. also, outboards are not part of the measurement... That measurement is the legal length..

It is tricky business, as they measure load capacity by this, and they can't have their cake and eat it too.. meaning, those extra inches/feet have no bearing on the beam:length ratio for them measuring a vessels load capacity, so, the legal length excludes this...

They DO go so far as to say, though, that dockmasters use either the length of all OR the legal length, and its not a standardized thing.

This makes me happy, because my 212 is under the 22' gigging the state has planned... Though, I don't know how they're getting by with it because the uscg classes boats 18'-26'.. I bet some surveying of registrations (and finding the popularity of 22-24' boats around here) is why the state chose to do the 22' thing...

Black_Diamond

Once a boat is 'yacht certified' (342 is) there is no load capacity rating like smaller boats. The CG recommends 1 person per 3' of lenght at that point, good rule of thumb.

Dream_Inn

I've always used the boat model length and never had issues. Even when they asked for LOA, I give them the model length. If they really want to come out and prove it differently then so be it. I think it's ridiculous to pay for my anchor and swim platform hanging out.

Capt Ron

Our marina would charge by the model number and not LOA. Now they decided to charge by the size of dock. Too many smaller boats were taking up larger docks and they weren't paying for it on a per foot basis.

trich11

Our 2002 342 is listed at 37' LOA.

Glassguy54

Our 2007 Captiva 246 has the integral swim platform, making the LOA 26'-2". Going by model #, it is 24'-6".

RWBLACK6

I  am with Dream Inn.   For a 2004 342, I always pay seasonal and transient dockage for 34 ft.   But my winter storage guy looks it up in his thick boat listings book and charges me for 37ft. 

TikiHut2

Only the most anal yardman/dockmaster will ding you for every billable inch which is what it sounds like Ray might be dealing with.

I rarely/never get charged for the whole enchilada when we're at a marina or yard. The question is usually how long is the boat and I simply say it's a 270.....end of discussion. That said, there is an upscale marina in town that very specifically asks you to count EVERY inch including an anchor on the bow roller, then all the way to the furthest edge of the swim platform. To cut them a little slack they don't want you hanging out in a tight fairway, but usually it's only about billing. At that my 270 is 32'-6".

I like the LOA USCG version for daily/monthly rates far better.

MarkB

What are we talking about, marina fees?  If so, you need to read their rules.  They can and have included the anchor in the LOA calculation.  Mine doesn't, but I've heard of others who do.

raybo3

They are counting the anchor. So does anyone know the total LOA of a 2002 342FV? Tip of anchor to end of swim platform. I still dont think its 38'5". I am only talking about a foot but if they came out with that size on mine I can only imagine what they came out for other boats...

Michael T

Most of the marinas in our area used to use the number that was on the boat's decal, for example - Rinker EC 360 was 36 feet, then the marinas went to the LOA as the manufacturer advertised it in their literature/brochures/websites so the EC 360 became a 37' 10" boat. This year (like at Capt. Ron's) the marinas are making boats 35 feet LOA (anchor and swim platform included) and longer moor at 40' docks and pay for 40 feet. The canal system is still using the number on the boat's decal for its canal and mooring fees - but - for how long?MT