Bayliner Length Mystery

[Nat]

I have a 1989 2655 widebeam sports fisher. Whats puzzeling me is this boat has 3 double berths (Dining table drops to make 1 double)seats 6 inside. Seats 6 in the cockpit with room for 2 to 3 people to fish off the back & is 31' overall in length its much bigger than all the later boats I looked inc 2855;s. Does anybody know how the measurements were made ?
Someone told me the earlier boats were measured waterline to waterline, another chap said they changed the lengh critera in 89.and started building the bathing platform into the rear cockpit therfore losing 2' of the interior lengh Does anyone know for sure, The size differance is considerable Come on there must be some Bayliner experts out there

Nat..........confused but happy as a pig in s--t with it

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[danielbroad]

My 1991 narrow beam 2655 is measured on "hull length" - i.e. not including the bathing platform and the anchor "nose" bit at the front.

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[HeadMistress]

Not just Bayliner, but almost all boats

The legal definition of LOA is the length measured over the centerline from the foremost point on the hull (not the deck), excluding any bow pulpits, bumpkins or other appendages, to the aftmost point on the hull excluding any motor brackets or other attached appendages.

That means that LOA includes swim platforms that are integral (molded as part of the hull), but does not include bolted on swim platforms. It's not a change in the legal measurement, but in the building of them. Integral swim platforms began appearing in 1990...by '93, almost every boat builder including Bayliner had switched from bolted on to integral swim platforms...and that length, although it adds nothing from the transom forward, is included in the LOA of the boat.

I recently was able to see a striking illustration of just how much liveable boat space can be lost to an integral "back porch" My boat--an older 32' sedan with bolted-on teak swim platform--was rafted to a brand new 36' cruiser with integral platform...with our transoms aligned, his bow extended only a few inches beyond mine...the rest of the supposed 4' difference in the sizes of our boats was all "back porch"...from our transoms forward, my 32' boat and his 36' boat were the same size. But legally, his is a 36' boat...and priced accordingly.

Only one of the reasons to own older boats...they not only cost a LOT less, but the same nominal size boat is anywhere from 2-6' (depending on the size of the boat) bigger from the transom forward.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[andyball]

Re: Not just Bayliner, but almost all boats

<font size=1>The legal definition of LOA is the length measured over the centerline from the foremost point on the hull (not the deck), excluding any bow pulpits, bumpkins or other appendages, to the aftmost point on the hull excluding any motor brackets or other attached appendages.</font size=1>

But try telling that to a marina / transport company /crane driver

Over here at least, they mostly try to charge for every inch, excluding nothing.


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[Nat]

Re: Not just Bayliner, but almost all boats

Peggy
Thanks for your input, as you have compared your boat to a larger model the
differance in size is considerable to say the least.I bet your boat has much more cabin space than the larger model I had dismissed the later 2655's
& 2855's as being to small. I found my boat by accident whilst looking at a 31'
Wellcraft Antigua ( less room than the bayliner) As you say, another good reason to buy an older boat. There are plenty of well looked after older boats about if you care to look for them,mine was a customs siezure, came with a new engine block refurbished stern drive. new paint. antifouled and a multitude of other things that I negotiated in the deal (been a motor trader for years biddings a way of life for me) Broker'name was Mark at NCB boatyard Campormor Spain. Good man stood on for everyhing agreed no messing about, he's got my business for life now.Anyway thanks again for your info, good site this lots of usefull imformative
people on board..........Nat

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[Kevin]

to follow on the later model 2655 was really only about a 24 footer so the size deifferential to the earlier ones was enormous like you say. It was the stuck on bow pulpit which gave it its 26 foot length. The older 'wide body' was also about 9' 6" wide and the later ones only 8'6", the older 2655 wide body was more akin to the 2855 if not the 3055. like you say massive boat for the money. To be honest i havemnt seen an older 2655 that wasnt a 'wide body'

the discrepancies in model names when using length numbers makes it impossible to judge accomodation size without actually looking at the boats in the flesh.

 

[Nat]

Hi Kev.
As you say the difference in size & spec is vast more on par to a 3055 beam is
9' 6'' your spot on there. I suppose its just a manfuctures trick same model No
smaller boat more money.
Thanks for your input.........Nat

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[HeadMistress]

Legal and other definitions

When it comes to representing a boat as being a certain length, the legal definition must be used...but the legal definition means nothing to harbor masters and marina operators...'cuz to them, each foot represents money. So they're only interested in knowing how much space your boat will occupy, therefore count every inch, including bow pulpits--even anchors--and anything hanging on davits 3' behind the boat.

There's nothing unfair about it... 10 boats that are actually 3' longer than their legal LOA = space that could be used by one 30' boat...or to a hauler, a couple of extra feet can mean a big difference in permit fees.

Nat, you may have gotten an even better design than you thought compared to the Wellcraft...'cuz in recent years, Wellcraft and some others have done away with side decks altogether on many models (not sure about the Antigua, but I THINK it's one of 'em). That may make for a sleeker "Eurostyle" appearance, but it also means that there's no way to get from the cockpit to the foredeck...the only access to the foredeck is through the hatch over the berth in the bow. That's not only a PITA when you're not in a hurry, but makes it just about impossible to get there in time if you do need to get to the bow to fend off.

That's only one of the things that boat builders do these days that leave me wondering "what ARE they thinking???" (Actually, I know what they're thinking: safety has given way almost entirely to style and decor in an effort to attract buyers who don't know that a boat isn't just a floating condo.)

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[Nat]

Re: Legal and other definitions

Peg re walkways.
You are not wrong about the walkways, on some of the new Bayliner boats at L.B.S.they were practicaly none existant unless of course you are a cat. same on the Wellcraft. On my older Bayliner they are about 4'' narrowing to 2'' round the radar arch,not brilliant but I get get round without to much trouble. Going up over the cabin hatch in a heavy swell is no fun there is nothing to hold on to. Practical features such as these seem to have fallen by the wayside in favour of flash styling
fine for some but not for me, .............Nat



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