I've always understood that the length of the mold for the hull is how the Coast Guard measures, and that transfers over to the market. If the swim platform or bow pulpit is bolted on, than it is not included. If it is molded into the hull, than it is.

What do you tell them when its time to pay for dockage?

Even though I feel slighted by not being included in the Formula chart, I'm reasonably sure that mine is 30 feet, two inches long, without the swim platform, which I just as soon it didn't have.

I guess that explains why my 272 Formula is bigger than a 29 Fountain

But I already knew that

29 ft it just looks 35!!!!

Now Joe, I don't want you feeling slighted, especially during the holiday season. I bet they might still have similar charts for your hull. Darryl emailed me 4 different pages last year when I asked for trailer spec data.
What I noticed was that this data confirms the 272 weighs 7k lbs with big blocks.

Michael .. some good information! ... I assume the CG information is from the Transom forward?

When I get my 382 back, I will measure the distance from the end of the rear step to the bow. How much should this measurement be? Measuring this way should not count the swim platform, and be the acutal length of boat in the water.

How much is lost by the swim platform?

Fountains are always riduculed by the lost footage in the beak, as well as the swim platform right?

That's my assumption based on:

your boat is 38 ft 2 inches measuring everything. The swim platform takes up nearly 2 ft which reduces your running length to about 36 ft. (everyone calls it a 38 ft boat though)