2012 Fishing-Boat Preview

LOA: The technical definition of LOA (length overall) includes bow pulpits, outboard engines and swim platforms. Many builders play fast and loose with this figure. We list the LOA that each manufacturer supplies to us.

BEAM: The manufacturer takes this measurement at the boat’s widest point, which might or might not be amidships. Longer boats have greater beams. More beam (relative to length) usually means more stability at rest, as well as more interior space. On planing hulls, a wider beam sometimes means a rougher ride in a head sea.

DRAFT: Draft measures a vessel’s depth below the water’s surface. Draft for outboard-powered boats is generally measured with the engine tilted. Manufacturers measure inboard boats to the bottom of the running gear.

DEADRISE AT TRANSOM: This is the hull’s angle in degrees, as measured at the aft-most portion of the vessel. It is also one indicator of how smoothly a boat rides in a head sea: Greater deadrise can mean a better ride, though other factors also influence ride quality. As the deadrise angle increases, however, the hull tends to become less stable at rest.

WEIGHT: (Displacement) Weights quoted for inboard boats include the engine(s). For outboard boats, we listed dryhull weights — no engines, fuel or equipment. When calculating trailering weight, don’t forget to add engines, trailer, oil, fuel and all your gear.

FUEL: We list standard-equipment fuel capacity only. Many companies offer larger or additional tanks as options.

MAXIMUM POWER: The National Marine Manufacturers Association and the U. S. Coast Guard determine what the maximum horsepower should be on a small boat.

MSRP: We have included a base-hull price for most of the boats listed. But, in a number of cases, boats come prerigged from the factory with power and trailers. We have noted those exceptions in the chart.