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NotJustDreaming · 13-11-2011, 13:47

Not that this is surprising but I'm confused... I've been meaning to ask but thought it would come up in conversation here...

The new Leopard 39 is 37'6" overall (36' waterline).

What am I missing?

I liked the 38. The 39 looks like the same layout.

While I'm asking questions, does one pay slip fees based on the true length of the boat or the one printed on the sail bag?

Tks much, Colleen

**roverhi** · 13-11-2011, 14:53

Slip fees in most marinas in the US are either based on the slip or the boat. My last marina leased 30', 35', 40' or whatever slips. As long as your boat fit in the slip without anything hanging out into the fairway, you were good to go. That meant not using their davits to store a dinghy for a couple of boats. My nominally 35' boat got 'upgraded' to a 40' slip because it was 36' long when you measured from the bow roller to the stern.

Other marinas rent by the foot of overall length. In almost all cases these days, the overall length is anything that sticks out front and back. My old Westsail 32 got measured as a 42' boat, IIRC, even though it was only 32' on deck. Boomkin, self steering, and bowsprit increased the marinas income off the boat. Not wanting to say the marina management are greedy, but they typically will add anything to the boats measurement to gain the maximum fee. Surprized that more boats with bowsprits haven't worked out a hinge arrangement to reduce the slip fees.

Mlutihulls have the added problem of width. Most go on end ties which are usually charged at a higher rate. Have seen some that take up two slips on a finger pier for twice the per foot price, I'm sure. Got to be careful with those training wheel boats
cause the Marinas love to hammer you.

Perhaps Leopard has taken to measuring their boat diagonally to gain some additional marketing clout.