I dunno, it's wierd though ain't it. My GT205 has a hull length of 19.5' but with the swim platform is a full 22' long. The swim platform ain't an option either for this model. Just one o' them marketing things I think.
I dunno, it's wierd though ain't it. My GT205 has a hull length of 19.5' but with the swim platform is a full 22' long. The swim platform ain't an option either for this model. Just one o' them marketing things I think.
Boats where always measured inside the hull to inside the hull. Then the marketing guys stepped in and decided to exploit men?s fear of inadequacy amongst their peers and thus the OAL was born. .
The OAL is a real hit with the marina guys that charge you by the foot for slip rental as well.
in Illinois the state dings you 7.5% tax on boats 16ft. and over when you go to register it, you MUST present a bill of sale stating the sale price of boat. They tryed to get that changed to 18ft. a few years back but it didn't pass, if it did, a 17.5 ft. boat would save you some money over an 18 footer.
Marketing. Nothing more. 17.5 is .5 "more betterer" than 17. It seems as time goes by the numbered model designations have less and less in common with true hull length.
I find more that are the opposite here, especially smaller boats, most all 12' boats measure just under 12', which in NJ, it keeps the boat under the minimum length for a titled vessel. Boats under 12' with no motor also do not need to be registered here.
I've seen the same thing in the 16' class in other states.
there are also break points on insurance requirements. Hence the 48 hp, to beat the 50 hp rate change.
When I was shopping, I inquired whether a pulpit was included in the length. The salesman said that an honest manufacturer won't include it, but the tricky ones will, so you thing you're getting a 20.5 foot boat when really it's a 19 with a protuberance.
