5/6/2012
The following abbreviations are often used to describe various measurements on a sailboat. Precise technical definitions exist for each abbreviation, but the following is a list of simple descriptions.
LOA | Length Overall - overall tip-to-tip length of the boat | LWL | Length Waterline - length of waterline of the boat | DWL | Design Waterline -theoretical waterline length of boat as opposed to LWL, which is actual waterline length | BMX | Beam Maximum - width of the boat at the widest point | BWL | Beam Waterline - widest beam of boat at the waterline | I | Height of the foretriangle measured from the top of the highest sheave to the sheerline | I2 | Height of staysail halyard above deck | J | Base of the foretriangle measured from the front of the mast to the intersection of the forestay and deck | J2 | Base of staysail triangle | P | Luff length of the mainsail | E | Foot length of the mainsail | LP | Shortest distance from headstay to the clew of the jib |
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