Final answer:
The LOA of a boat is measured horizontally from the bow to the stern, not accounting for the waterline, the keel, or the boat's height.
Step-by-step explanation:
The length overall (LOA) of a boat is measured from the bow to the stern. This ensures an accurate representation of the boat's full length from the very front to the very end, excluding any protruding elements such as outboard motors or rudders, which are not included in the LOA.
In historical contexts, sailors measured the depths of seas using a unit called a fathom, where a knotted rope was used. Today, the process is much simpler and precise with electronic instruments. When measuring the length of a boat, you do not take the waterline or the highest point into account, but simply the horizontal distance from the foremost part of the boat to the aftmost part.