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LOA (Length Overall) & LWL (Waterline Length)

Detailed hull dimensions

Length overall, often abbreviated as (LOA, o/a, o.a. or oa) refers to the maximum length of a vessel from the two points on the hull measured perpendicular to the waterline.

Length overall is commonly used to indicate maximum length of a vessel. LOA is the most commonly-used way of expressing the size of a boat, and is also used for calculating the cost of a marina berth^[1] (for example, £2.50 per metre LOA).

As said, LOA often means length of the hull.^[2] For sailing ships this may exclude the bowsprit and other fittings added to the hull. This is how some racing boats and tall ships use the term LOA.^[3] However, other sources may include bowsprits in LOA.^{[4][5] [6]} Confusingly, LOA has different meanings.^[7][8] "Sparred length", "Total length including bowsprit", "Mooring length" and "LOA including bowsprit" are other expressions that might indicate the full length of a sailing ship.

LOH

By ISO 8666 for small boats, cited by a product description,^[9] there is a definition of LOH, length of hull,^[10] that measures shorter than LOA.

LWL

Another measure of length is LWL (loaded waterline length) which is more useful in assessing a vessel's performance. In some cases (particularly old yachts or vessels with bowsprits) LWL can be considerably shorter than LOA.

See also

• The National Register of Historic Vessels
• Length between perpendiculars

References

• Hayler, William B.; Keever, John M. (2003). American Merchant Seaman's Manual. Cornell Maritime Pr. ISBN 0-87033-549-9.  
• Turpin, Edward A.; McEwen, William A. (1980). Merchant Marine Officers' Handbook (4th ed.). Centreville, MD: Cornell Maritime Press. ISBN 087038056X.  

Footnotes