Does a built in swim deck actually cheat you out of boat length?

[Speedling]

Hey guys, I was taking measurements of stuff and had a thought.
All our Yamaha boats have this awesome swim platform. In a way, the engineers at Yamaha had a brilliant idea when they had to figure out how to mount this jet pump to the back but keep it safe from docks and kids jumping on it etc. The swimdeck that all the various jet boats have is really an awesome way to mount the pump and keep it safe and give you an accessory that most other boats are just NOW (last few years) starting to copy and design into their boats. Take this cobalt below: The length of the boat probably doesn't include that swim deck.
All the other boats I have seen have removable back swim platforms. Like I said, they are changing and making the decks integrated now, but hang with me here...

On my boat, this is 2' out past the actual running surface of the hull. This means, the boat would plane out more like a 19' boat.
I don't doubt that the platform on our boats helps to possibly balance the boats cog as well, but...
Are you guys with your fancy AR240's actually on a AR220 with built in swim platform?
Guys like me with a 21' boat actually a 19' with twin engines (keep dreaming guys!)?
And are the 19' boats actually a 17' boat with extra seating due to a fancy swim platform?
How would that effect your ideals on pricing the boats?
Would you pay the $60k-70k price tag for a 22' E series Yamaha or a 23' (255) Scarab?

 

[Julian]

The competition is copy the stern layouts too

 

[robert843]

Any boat with a built in swim deck that the manufacturer labels a LOA length it includes the swim deck. Any boat that comes standard with what appears to be a added swim deck or bolt swim deck typically the LOA is including the swim deck. Obviously if it's added feature not standard and bolted on after the fact or by the dealer as an option it is not included in the LOA. There are probably a few exceptions to this rule but that is pretty much the standard.

 

[Julian]

My LX210 was officially a 19' boat but was marketed as a 21 due to its bolted on swim deck from the factory...but for tax etc purposes only 19'

 

[Britboater]

You've a real viable point here @Speedling , looking at the over hang we're actually not getting a true 24, 21, 19' hull, no wonder my 19 would throw us about in a small chop. I know Chaparral have a bolt on "Ariel surf platform" and do not included that in their stated boat length but the rear deck does protrude further from the hull.
If you look at an outboard the transom stops where the engine is so no doubt there but I've see a few manufacturers now adding rear decks to these boats too.

 

[Andy S]

As for Cobalt's, my 2016 R5 swim deck is an integral part of the hull not a bolt on piece. Side note, I've always hated the look of the bolt on swim decks and Yamaha's integrate swim deck was one factor in the purchase of my recently traded-in 2007 SX230. Back on topic, my R5 is listed at 25' 8" long which includes the 2' of swim deck hanging past the side of the boat. I knew that measurement when I bought my Cobalt and therefore I thought it compared well in size to the 24' Yamaha's.

Including the length of an integral swim deck is no different that larger boats adding in the length of a bow pulpit in their overall length. Like many things in life you have to understand the numbers to be able to preform a proper comparison.

 

[JTC1016]

I took that into consideration when shopping boats before deciding on an AR240 but I think the way jets are recessed and have actual cabin seating over them more than makes up for it. The stern seating is a very usable portion of the boat. For me I'd prefer that over the big flat elevated platform you see over most v8 engine compartments. They have to include that in LOA too and I consider it wasted space. I find the layout to be very efficient so 22 or 24, it's working for us.

 

[scokill]

Talk about wasted space....Wake boats have the padded...essentially engine compartment that IMO has no utility except for one person to lay on.

 

[Joey Martinez]

my jet boat fall into this like the wake board boats with wasted space "sun deck"

top view

• Joey Martinez
• Apr 25, 2016

I really wish my boat had a bolt on swim platform caz the swim deck on mine is so high up and so small its worthless for anything.

Thought about getting one and installing it my self but never got to it.