Having an understanding of boat capacity is vital to safe and effective vessel operation. Overloaded boats have a greater risk of being swamped or capsizing. Swamping refers to a boat being filled with water and a capsized vessel is one that is turned on its side or has been flipped over. Boat loading has a major influence on vessel handling and performance. Overloaded boats turn poorly and burn excessive fuel.
Determining Boat Capacity
There are many ways for a boater to determine the carrying capacity of the boat. Here are some suggestions:
- Look for a maximum capacity plate near the operator’s station or transom of the boat. The plate is a metal placard listing the maximum cargo capacity, total persons that can be carried onboard, and maximum horsepower rating of the outboard motor used on the boat
- Single-hulled vessels in the United States under 20 feet in length are required by Federal law to have a capacity plate. The regulation does not apply to sailboats and personal watercraft
- There is a rule of thumb suggested for use by the Coast Guard Auxiliary for determining the maximum passenger carrying capacity for single-hulled boats under 20 feet in length that don’t have a maximum capacity plate. Assuming the average passenger weight is 150 pounds, multiply the vessel width and length together in feet and divide the product by 15 to find the maximum number of passengers. Round the answer down for the passenger figure
- Safe number of people onboard = boat length (ft) × boat width (ft) ÷ 15
- On boats that utilize an outboard motor, the maximum capacity plate will also list the maximum horsepower rating to be used on the vessel
Boat Capacity Considerations
The maximum weight rating accounts for combined weights of all passengers, boating gear, and outboard motors. Avoid exceeding the rated maximum weight or total limit for passengers. The weight of gear can often surprise a boat operator. Boating accessories accumulate in a boat over time and often not accounted for in calculating maximum capacity. The overall weight carried by a boat should be reduced for operations in rough or poor weather.
Load passengers and cargo into a boat uniformly. Avoid placing too much weight forward or aft or to one side of the vessel. Most modern small craft have some inherent flotation, so if a boat does capsize or swamp, it is important for all of its occupants to remain with the vessel. It may even be possible to climb up on the exposed hull to minimize contact with cold water. Compared to a person in the water, an overturned boat in distress is easier to spot by potential rescuers.
It pays to take time to determine the safe carrying capacity of a boat. Capsize and swamping statistically cause the greatest number of recreational boating fatalities each year.
