Length overall

Length overall (LOA, o/a, o.a. or oa) is the maximum length of a vessel's <a href="/facts/Hull_(watercraft)/hY6LxATt">hull</a> measured parallel to the waterline. This length is important while docking the ship. It is the most commonly used way of expressing the size of a ship, and is also used for calculating the cost of a <a href="/facts/Marina/wUUegkPR">marina</a> <a href="/facts/Berth_(moorings)/Ggg7BMMe">berth</a> (for example, £2.50 per metre LOA).
LOA is usually measured on the hull alone. For <a href="/facts/Sailing_ship/uJ61Kmxs">sailing ships</a>, this may exclude the <a href="/facts/Bowsprit/mEqp2zIN">bowsprit</a> and other fittings added to the hull. This is how some racing boats and <a href="/facts/Tall_ships/cngwVWpL">tall ships</a> use the term LOA. However, other sources may include bowsprits in LOA. Confusingly, LOA has different meanings. "Sparred length", "Total length including bowsprit", "Mooring length" and "LOA including bowsprit" are other expressions that might indicate the full length of a sailing ship.

Length overall open-in-new

Length overall