What is the boat's length at the waterline?

• A. 26 ft 2 in
• B. 31 ft 8 in
• C. 8 ft 5 in
• D. 2 ft 9 in

Answer: (A)

Length at the waterline is the distance from the bow to the stern along the hull where it sits at the water's surface. This measurement is usually shorter than the boat’s overall length because the bow and stern overhang above or below the waterline depending on trim. For this vessel, the standard specifications list the waterline length as 26 ft 2 in, which is the portion of the hull actually in contact with the water. This dimension is used for performance calculations like hull speed and buoyancy. The other numbers don’t represent the hull length in the water—they correspond to other dimensions (such as beam or draft) or are simply not the waterline measurement. So, 26 ft 2 in is the length at the waterline.