I am curious as to the actual length of a J-30. I was always under the impression it is just under 30 feet but my harbor master has decided the true LOA is 32 feet. I wouldn't really care but they charge by the foot. Does anyone know what the length from the extreme forward point of the bow pulpit to the most aft point of the rudder is? I would like to prove the harbor master wrong and save a few dollars as well!

Refer him to the official Class Specs
2008 J/30 Class Specs.

There is a section at the end labeled Basic Specifications - LOA 29.92' (29' 11")

That's what i was thinking for LOA but does that include the overhang of the pulpit?

According to Wiki - LOA is measured just from points on the hull: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Length_overall

Not sure what the extra is with the rudder and bow pulpit without measuring.

Our LWL is 25 ft. The overall length has to include the rudder and pulpit. There's no way my waterline to bow length is 4.9 feet in the front.

If you think about it we only own a 27 ft boat.

Ok - from some Naval Architect postings elsewhere:

"LOD means Length on Deck. In traditional terms it is typically measured on the centerline of the boat at the point where the deck meets the stem and the face of the transom. LOA means length over all and traditionally is also referred to as Length between Perpendiculars. In traditional terms it is typically measured on the centerline of the boat at the point where the deck meets the stem and the furthest point of the transom. Boats with traditional transoms should have an equal LOA and LOD but boats with reversed transom rakes will often have longer LOA than LOD.

There are a number of gray zones here. Some designers measure LOA to be the measurement at the top of the toe rail, and would include outboard rudders in the LOA. What should never be included in LOA are such items as bow and stern rails, bowsprits or boomkins but that does not stop unethical brokers and boat builders from doing it."

However, there seems to be a use, particularly those who charge for storage to include anything projecting at the extremes.

Well, since I am currently in California and the boat is stored in Seward, AK, I guess the harbor master wins until I get back to the boat with a tape measure. Thanks for the input folks.

I've dealt with the same issue. The local marina has started to aggressively measure boats and will allow no overhang on a 30' slip. Otherwise, you get bumped up to a 34' slip and at $10+/ft, it adds up! What's fascinating is that there are many J/30s in the marina not subject to measurement because they've been in slips.

This may be obvious but one option is to ship/stow the tiller hard to one side while in the slip. This effectively reduces the length of overhang by the rudder a fair bit.

- Jeff

I am currently in a 32' slip and the rudder is hard over. What is interesting is the Catalina next to me is a 36' boat. I wonder if it will be there next year after they decide it is is a 38' boat. They allow a 36' boat in 32' slips but maybe they will be shooting themselves in the the foot over this. Next spring will be interesting.