Manufacturer's model length claims
 

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So who on here agrees with me that this "duckbill" should not be included in the length of the model? Doug Wright is calling their newest model a 44, when in reality, the boat measures 40' when not including the 4' "duckbill" (according to the thread on here that I grabbed these pictures from). Doug Wright builds incredible performing boats, no doubt, but where is the length game that Fountain started in the '80s going to end? If they made the "duckbill" into a "waterslide" that was 10' long instead of 4' long, would they call this new model a 50'? At what point does a non structural/non running surface part of a boat not count when measuring the LOA? My 30' Skater started life with a 28" tunnel extension and 33" deck/sides overrun (making the boat measure 33' total), yet Skater and I have always called it a 30. It still has a 28" tunnel extension (which is actually a running surface at lower speeds) after being converted to outboards, but I don't call it a 32. I personally feel that all boats should be measured from the transom to the tips of the sponsons, period. And I am not in any way saying that this new DW model isn't going to be a great boat, I'm just stating my opinion that the length game so many manufacturer's play is being taken way too far now.

Dale, I guess the LOA rating has to include everything LOL. I am with you on the actual running surface being the real deal. It makes the top speed of a boat have a bigger impact to the consumer with it being 44’ vs 40’.

I understand your point but LOA does stand for Length Over All. IMO that would include anything from tip to tip.

Also, I don't care what they call it. If that DW performs as expected with TWIN outboards it's a winner all day, every day.

Maybe they should enter one in the Great Race against Total Monster - it's only a 46!https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b058702180.jpg

The easiest way to determine the true length is to have a girl measure it, then have a guy measure it.

If the girl says its 30'...

And

The guy says its 50'

Then you do the math and come to the conclusion that the boat is a true 40 footer.

For those explaining the coastguard LOA rules. Fine I get that . That's probably on the title and all, but that doesnt mean the manufacturer cant name the model whatever they want based in it's TRUE length.

Eliminator is adding a 3 ft bustle to the newest 36 speedster they are building but still calling it a 36 speedster

Making a hull where the LOA is longer than the running surface is an age old trick to get higher top speeds. And although Reggie takes a lot of heat for the practice, he's certainly not the only one - nor the biggest offender. Anybody look at an old Hydrostream for instance? Their running surface to LOA ratio makes Reggie look like a Girl Scout.

But a boat that incorporates this design / marketing practice also faces some other challenges. For instance, most marinas charge for dock space, detailing, shrink wrap, etc. based on LOA. So your 44' boat that in reality is more like 40' long will cost you a pretty penny on certain services. Just a thought.

it all comes down to thorough research and comparing apples to apples for your own end expectations.

Just food for thought, a C5000 Mystic is 50+' from sponson tip to Rudder post (LOA) but the running surface is 43' AND Skater has been giving length and stretch in their model designations... no one questions this but it can be confusing as hell to someone that has a perceived understanding of boat dimensions and looking to fit a new(er) into an existing slip/lift or building opening.

Does putting a regular hot dog on a foot long bun make it a foot long ?

I bet the DW team doesn't call it a 44 when they go to race it in Super Cat next year with SBI. Funny how it will fit in the class rules of 42' maximum length for the class.

So someone is really racing one of these new 44 DWs in Super cat next year? And if they are- to your point Dale, I know that there is a new 438 going to racing in that class. So how does that boat fit in to the class rules?

PBC was going to race the new canopied DW40 in Super Cat, but now that they picked up MTI, they're going to campaign an MTI instead. I don't doubt that somebody will pick up the canopied DW40 to run Super Cat with it next year. There would have to be minor changes made to a 438 in both width and length to fit into the Super Cat class as the rules sit right now - 66" max tunnel width and 42' 0" LOA.

Unless you have a navy ship or a Wally of course the LOA and the LWL will always be different. It's not a trick, it's just that of a marine hull. Now the beak, bustle, a notch or a long laid out bow is a just a mere manufacturer design. LOA is used in different ways throughout the entire marine industry. Use a 42 for example, Outerlimits, Cigarette, and Fountain. The fountain looks like a toy in comparison but guess what...its a 42... Just marketing gimmicks.

Before that it used to be the other way. My 24' is not 24 feet long and my 19' is not 19 feet long, et, etc....

Donzi 22 Classic is underrated by 6".

Boston Whaler really screwed up in the old days.......a 15 was 15'5 and a 17 Montauk was 16'4

Im blaming it all on that damn metric system crap

Just FYI, I believe the PBC team will be racing a 43' version of the 48' MTI. Not a standard 42' like teams have in the past.

That's what I've heard also Greg, and I won't be surprised if it has a bottom very similar to a 438.:rolleyes:

Waterline length should be the standard. LOA could be used for bogus selling ads.

It will be interesting to see if it is considered "underpowered" as was the other large 400R powered cat.

Actually waterline length is important. It defines how much of the hulls length is actually in the water as rest. Remember most of these boats spend most of their time sitting in the party cove or idling in gear. ( insert funny smile here !)

well they just called this boat a 420 42' and said it has a 38'4" running surface. pet matt.

Skater, Outerlimits. MTI, all have bustles and countless manufacturers have molded swim platforms. No different. Just like some guys measure from their taint for extra length..

Kind of silly arguing about what its called. I think you know when looking into buying a boat what is characteristics are. There are a lot of different measurements for different purposes. Do you want to know what the running surface is for a trailer. What about how far the drives stick out so they are not hanging out the back of the slip or being able to fit it in a garage.

Agreed, but I think both were built for the idea of "future" power.