Hull dimensions

Length of the boat

Length metrics of a boat
Name Symbol Metric unit Imperial unit Explanation
Length overall LOA m ft The overall length of the hull including attached parts.
Length of Hull LH m ft The hulls length excluding attached parts such as bowsprits or rudders.
Length at waterline LWL m ft
Length on Deck LOD m ft

Width of the boat

Width metrics of hulls
Name Symbol Metric unit Imperial unit Explanation
Beam BOA m ft Width of the boat at the wides part of the hull.
Beam of Hull BH m ft Width of the boat including only fixed parts of the hull.
Maximum Beam BMAX m ft The distance through the outer extremeties of the boat.
Beam at waterline BWL m ft

Depth of the boat

Depth metrics of boats
Name Symbol Metric unit Imperial unit Explanation
Draft d, T m ft The distance from the bottom of the keel to the waterline.
Moulded depth D m ft The distance from the top of the keel to the underside of the upper deck.
Freeboard FB m ft Is the moulded depth minus the distance from the top of the keel to the waterline.

Boyancy of the boat

Boyancy metrics of boats
Name Symbol Metric unit Imperial unit Explanation
Displacement kg The weigth of the water equivalent of the immersed vlume of the hull.
Longitudinal Center of Buoyancy LCB
Longitudinal Center of Flotation LCF
Vertical Center of Buoyancy VCB
Displacement Volume VD, ∇ m3

Sources