What is the law on Boat capacity?

[sea_n_ski]

I have often wondered if someone is pulled over by the MP, if they would get a ticket if they had more people in the boat than the Coast Guard approved number mounted under the throttle? Is that a guide or the law?

A friend of mine has the same size boat as I have, yet my boat is classified for 2 more people. How do they calculate it?

Does the MP judge weather the vessel is safe or look at your rating tag? How do they count children (as a half)?

I have seen some boats seriously overloaded recently. A bunch of us recently had a debate over this and need to know the answer.

[Irrigation Guy]

Give a call to NHMP Headquarters in Gilford?

http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/ss/marinepatrol/

[Slickcraft]

TITLE XXII
NAVIGATION; HARBORS; COAST SURVEY
CHAPTER 270-D
BOATING AND WATER SAFETY ON NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC WATERS
Section 270-D:5
270-D:5 Overloading. – No vessel shall be operated while carrying passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration weather and other operating conditions.

Source. 1990, 171:1, eff. June 26, 1990.

[Kracken]

A good rule of thumb is: Capacity = Length x Beam / 15.

If the NHMP observes a 20’ boat with more than 10 people on it, they will probably be stopped and checked.

Now if a citation is given fighting this in court could be interesting. It really depends on the size of the people. If the vessel’s capacity is 11 people or 1650lbs and you had 11 Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, they would be below the weight capacity. But then again, if there were 11 Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders in a boat, they wouldn’t get a ticket in the first place. :laugh:

[Jonas Pilot]

I'd pull 'em over for an equipment check!

[Resident 2B]

A good rule of thumb is: Capacity = Length + Beam / 15.

If the NHMP observes a 20’ boat with more than 10 people on it, they will probably be stopped and checked.

Now if a citation is given fighting this in court could be interesting. It really depends on the size of the people. If the vessel’s capacity is 11 people or 1650lbs and you had 11 Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, they would be below the weight capacity. But then again, if there were 11 Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders in a boat, they wouldn’t get a ticket in the first place. :laugh:

Just trying to help here. It is length (in feet) times beam (in feet) divided by 15

R2B

[sea_n_ski]

I have a 20 ' Malibu and the capacity is 10 people, my 26' Cobalt is 13 people and my friends 26 ' Regal is 11 people. It doesn't make sense.

[robmac]

Just follow the manufactures plate,keep it simple. There are to many variables,boat size,engine size,boat type, ect. Safety is the best course and the attached placard is your guide.

[travaler18]

Twelve people on any 21 ft boat seems like way too many (IMOO). I own a 22ft searay sundeck, max 10 or 1600lbs with gear. I had 8 adults on tuesday and it was cramped, couldn't imagine 2 more even if they were kids. As Brody would say ''WE NEED A BIGGER BOAT''(IMOO)...

[Rattlesnake Guy]

No offense intended but my mother did raise a smart alic...

So my 21 foot boat with and 8 foot beam should only hold 1.9 people?

Now I can't go tubing because I won't have room for the passenger and spotter.:)

If I upgrade to a 30 footer with a 9 foot beam, then I could take 2 people tubing for sure. Wait, thats still only 2.6 people. Come to think of it, I might like taking some of the relatives if I don't have 40% of them...

[Slickcraft]

No offense intended but my mother did raise a smart alic...

So my 21 foot boat with and 8 foot beam should only hold 1.9 people?

Now I can't go tubing because I won't have room for the passenger and spotter.:)

If I upgrade to a 30 footer with a 9 foot beam, then I could take 2 people tubing for sure. Wait, thats still only 2.6 people. Come to think of it, I might like taking some of the relatives if I don't have 40% of them...

Ummm (21 X 8)/15 = 11.2 so you can take a passenger or two along but you have to deduct for the weight of any beer being transported over to the island. So maybe 4 passengers. ;)

[NoBozo]

You can't have TOO MANY Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in your boat. Just Sayin...:D :D :D

Whata I Know.....I'm 69....ya take what you can get.....:) :) Nb

[Dave R]

My 25 foot Regal is rated for only 10 people, but it's also rated for 3000 lbs. Must be designed for morbidly obese boaters. The helm chair is really wide...

[camp guy]

Oh, I love these technical discussions with decimal points and points of law, but, notwithstanding the manufacturers capacity rating, the buoyancy factor, or the Dallas cheerleaders, the single most important consideration concerning how many people can go in a specific boat is COMMON SENSE by the operator. Laws are there for some purpose, the technical details are there for some purpose, but common sense is the bottom line (as long as you don't exceed the law).

[The Watcher]

Everything you always wanted to know about boat capacities (but were afraid to ask)...
http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boatbuilder_s_handbook/safe_subc_partg.aspx

[Mee-n-Mac]

Everything you always wanted to know about boat capacities (but were afraid to ask)...
http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boatbuilder_s_handbook/safe_subc_partg.aspx

Interesting but I'd have thought stability would have some bearing as well. A small cruiser with same LOA as a bowrider generally has less capacity because, at least I thought, the weight of the persons aboard is higher above the waterline and thus less stable (all else being equal).

[sea_n_ski]

The Coast Guard definition makes the most sense. Thanks everyone, you helped me win the discussion.

[ThePlut]

24' Cobalt. 15 persons or just over 2000lbs.

[Ropetow]

Just trying to help here. It is length (in feet) times beam (in feet) divided by 15

R2B

Thanks, R2B. I was just struggling with that one....length (20 feet) plus beam (8 feet) = 28 / 15 = a capacity of 2? :confused::confused::confused:

Other than when the in-laws visit, that would be a problematic formula. :laugh:

[Ropetow]

You are absolutely right.

Unfortunately “Common Sense” is not as common as it should be. Just about every accident/incident on the lake could be avoided if people used their heads.

Absolutely! But is 'common sense' really that common any longer? Can we add 'common sense' to the requirements for piloting a boat in NH waters?

[MAXUM]

So I find it interesting mine is rated for more people than I have seats.... go figure!

[OCDACTIVE]

I was speaking to a power squadron inspector about the capacity issue. Some boats do not have a capasity plackard at all.

I asked if this was against regulation and it is 'not' actually.

The coast guard however has a formula used to determine a boats capacity.

I do not remember the exact formula but it had nothing to do with seats. It was something along the lines of beam x length divided by a particular number gives you the capacity of people. I am not sure on the weight.

I am actually having a meeting and giving a talk tomorrow night with the power squadron and I will try to remember to ask.

[Wolfeboro_Baja]

So I'm a little late coming to this party but I'll throw my .02 cents in!!

My 25 foot Regal is rated for only 10 people, but it's also rated for 3000 lbs. Must be designed for morbidly obese boaters. The helm chair is really wide...The plate on our 25 Outlaw says 6 people or 1,600 lbs. If you do the math, that's 266 lbs per person. However, if you are familiar with the cockpit of a 25 Outlaw, you'll know that the most bodies you can fit in it are six (seats 5 comfortably). On the other hand, our first Baja was a 212 Islander (bowrider) which was rated for 8 people or 1450 lbs (I could be wrong on the total weight). Smaller boat, more bodies but less total weight. This is interesting though; using the formula posted by Kracken, my Outlaw's capacity is 14! Good luck trying to fit even HALF that capacity in our cockpit!! :laugh:

SO, the rating must be a combination of actual seating space (six on our boat and that's REALLY crowded) and/or total weight to include bodies and their gear.

I would think the capacity (in lbs) of a vessel is relative to the buoyancy. I believe the amount of people it is rated for has something to do with the number of seats on the boat. Could be wrong though but it makes sense.What he said; makes TOTAL sense! :)


Oh, I love these technical discussions with decimal points and points of law, but, notwithstanding the manufacturers capacity rating, the buoyancy factor, or the Dallas cheerleaders, the single most important consideration concerning how many people can go in a specific boat is COMMON SENSE by the operator. Laws are there for some purpose, the technical details are there for some purpose, but common sense is the bottom line (as long as you don't exceed the law).Just remember, you can't legislate common sense! :(

[ishoot308]

I believe most weight capacity noted on boat placards are "dry weight". This means you also have to add the weight of gas and oil. Gas weighs approximately 6.4 lbs per gallon so if you have a 50 gallon tank you must deduct 320 lbs from your weight rating. Also any factory accessories such as tables, built in coolers, are not included in the weight rating and should be accounted for.

I think once you do all the gear, liquid and accessory deductions from the max weight rating, most would be surprised how little there is left for people!

Dan