What is the law on Boat capacity?

camp guy · 08-03-2010, 10:05 AM

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 · 08-03-2010, 12:35 PM

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

Mee-n-Mac · 08-03-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Watcher

Everything you always wanted to know about boat capacities (but were afraid to ask)...
http://www.uscgboating.org/regulatio...ubc_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 · 08-03-2010, 06:12 PM

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

Ropetow · 08-04-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracken

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 · 08-04-2010, 09:28 PM

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

OCDACTIVE · 08-04-2010, 09:35 PM

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.

08-03-2010, 10:05 AM	#1
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Boat capacity 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).

08-03-2010, 12:35 PM	#2
The Watcher Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	The straight skinny Everything you always wanted to know about boat capacities (but were afraid to ask)... http://www.uscgboating.org/regulatio...ubc_partg.aspx

08-04-2010, 09:35 PM	#7
OCDACTIVE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Myers FL / Moultonboro Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 444 Thanked 574 Times in 178 Posts	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. __________________ Have you had your Vessel Inspected Yet?

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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to The Watcher For This Useful Post:
Rattlesnake Gal (08-11-2010), sea_n_ski (08-03-2010)

08-03-2010, 06:12 PM	#4
sea_n_ski Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atkinson & Meredith, NH Posts: 45 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	The Coast Guard definition makes the most sense. Thanks everyone, you helped me win the discussion.

08-04-2010, 09:28 PM	#6
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 244 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	So I find it interesting mine is rated for more people than I have seats.... go figure!