The length of a boat is one of the most important factors affecting the boat's price. Yet, the represented length does not always reflect the true size of the boat. With the advent of integrally molded bow pulpits and built in swim platforms, there has been a lot of confusion over how a boat length should be properly represented.
Confusion can arise because the pulpit is an integral part of the deck.
Therefore, to call it LOA is not inaccurate. Some refer to length with and without pulpit, which eliminates all confusion. If the builder leaves any doubt about this, be sure to clarify it. Some of these are bolt-on molded sections, while others are molded into and are integral with the hull. The use of bolt-ons is rapidly passing, though there are plenty of used boats with these things.