Am I not understanding manufactures model nomenclature?

[zip]

I was under the impression that the model numbers are generally the length of the boat in meters.
With this in mind, I thought a Zodiac 733, is 7.33 meters.
I have only owned three ribs, but thier model numbers were the length.

[John Kennett]

That's the rule of thumb, but there's a lot of poetic licence.

Many manufacturers round up their model numbers to make the boats sound bigger. Some round them down, no idea why. Some just make them up.

[willk]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Some round them down, no idea why.

Sometimes, Boss, the owners want to dodge Marina fees...

[Northern Tim]

Some manufacturers seem to measure the length using the transom as the back. Others seem to use the end of the tubes.

[cgf10]

It does seem poetic. Maybe we should have a thread entitled "do swim platforms count?"

[ShinyShoe]

Let's say you have a boat that's 7m. You name it the Ribenator 700. Next year you tweak the Ribenator design so you want people to know its 'better' it becomes the 710... But you didn't stretch the hull...

Now if you have an 8.3m version too you could call it the 800 or the 830...

[Dry Run]

If you think boats model numbers are bad, look whats happening with cars! Merc C-class 220cdi & 250cdi both have 2.1l engines? The world's gone mad!

Our dry stack charges by the meter (I have a tape measure), so we know all about model-V-actual length. And yes, swim platforms do count!

[zip]

Ok, thanks. I don't feel totally clueless.