Waterline length

The waterline length (originally Load Waterline Length,

abbreviated to LWL) is the length of a ship or boat at the point where
it sits in the water. It excludes the total length of the boat, such as
features that are out of the water. Most boats rise outwards at the bow
and stern, so a boat may be quite a bit longer than its waterline
length. In a ship with such raked stems, naturally the waterline length
changes as the draft of the ship changes, therefore it is measured
from a defined loaded condition.
LOA (Length Overall) & LWL (Waterline Length)

Length at the waterlineis often abbreviated aslwl, w/l, w.l. or wl.

This measure is essential in determining a lot of properties of a

vessel, such as how much water it displaces, where the bow and stern
waves are, hull speed, amount of bottom-paint needed, etc.

In sailing boats, longer waterline length will usually enable a greater

maximum speed, because it allows greater sail area, without
increasing beam or draft. Higher beam and draft causes higher
resistance against the water. This maximum speed, also known as
theoretical hull speed, can be calculated using the formula (sqrt of
Detailed hull dimensions
LWL) x 1.34.

See also
Length overall
Length between perpendiculars

References
Hayler, William B.; Keever, John M. (2003). American Merchant Seaman's Manual. Cornell Maritime Pr. ISBN 0-
87033-549-9.
Turpin, Edward A.; McEwen, William A. (1980). Merchant Marine Officers' Handbook(4th ed.). Centreville, MD:
Cornell Maritime Press.ISBN 0-87033-056-X.

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