A number of factors also depend on the length of the hull. These include the size of the boat slip, the size of the trailer, whether or not registration is required—not to mention, of course, the space on board, fuel consumption, the difficulty of maneuvering, and so on. It should be noted that, in general, boats today are able to make much better use of the available space: for the same length, thanks to increased volume and beam, as well as redesigned layouts, modern boats are more livable than those of thirty years ago. However, one clarification is in order: people often confuse hull length withoverall length, yet these figures can differ significantly. Anyone considering the purchase of a new boat who has any doubts on this matter should therefore look into it more thoroughly.
Vessel Registration and Dock Space: Why It’s Important to Know the Difference
Understanding the difference between overall length and hull length is important because, in certain situations, a difference of even just a few centimeters can make all the difference. Consider, for example, boat slips in marinas: the available water space for mooring must be sufficient to comfortably accommodate the boat within its actual overall dimensions,including swim platforms, fenders, and any tenders hanging from the stern. Simply providing the hull length alone, therefore, could in some cases lead to misunderstandings, resulting in the assignment of a berth with insufficient space.
But that’s not all. It’s worth noting that Italian law includes a unique provision: the distinction between “natanti” and “imbarcazioni.” In a nutshell, “natanti” are not required to be registered, which simplifies boat ownership. More specifically, in Italy, “natanti” refers to all recreational watercraft whose hull, measured according to the harmonized EN/ISO/DIS 8666 standards, is 10 meters or less in length. However, it is quite common to encounter boats measuring 10.50, 11, and even 12 meters that are actually classified as “watercraft”: this is precisely wherethe difference between a boat’s overall length and its hull length comes into play.
The difference between overall length and hull length
As can be understood from the above, the measurement taken into account by Italian regulations to distinguish a vessel from a boat is the hull length, which measures the distance between the stern and the bow, excluding appendages (as per ISO 8666). For simplicity’s sake, we can say that this figure is equivalent to the boat’s type-approval length. In many cases, this measurement is shorter than the overall length, which is also denoted in technical specifications by the acronym LOA ( which stands for Length Overall): this term refers to the boat’s actual length, including any removable appendages. It is therefore clear that the LOA figure indicates the boat’s actual overall dimensions, including swim platforms, pulpit, bow thrusters, and, more generally, any accessory or extension that extends beyond the boat’s “original” hull design.
Vessels longer than 10 meters
It is therefore clear how it is possible that there are boats on the market that are 11 or even 12 meters long but can still be certified as small craft: by exceeding the standard 10-meter length They are, in fact, additional appendices. Among the most striking examples are the Lancia Aprea 42, with an overall length of 12.44 meters but certified as a watercraft; as well as the Ranieri Next 330 LX, which “dares” to be 10 centimeters short of the standard, with an LOA of 10.10 meters; or the Fiart 35 Seawalker, a walkaround boat with an overall length of 11.52 meters, thanks to its generous aft deck.
What is the overall length of your boat? In any case, we look forward to welcoming you to our marina in Genoa, which offers berths for boats and superyachts up to 75 meters in length.