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Started By
Message
Question on maximum boat capacity people/weight
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:13 pm
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:13 pm
Searched LDWF and USCG web sites and can't find an answer. So any help is appreciated.
Husband has a nice fishing boat and we occasionally take it for a pleasure ride on Amite River. Capacity is 5 persons or "x" amount of weight (not sure of the exact lbs.)
Does this mean:
a. Only 5 people max under any circumstances, even if under weight limit; or
b. More than 5 as long as the maximum weight is not over approved limit.
I want to ask two other couples to come with us; he says, he thinks we can only have 5 people max.
So, he wanted me to research it. Figured you guys would know.
Thanks.
Husband has a nice fishing boat and we occasionally take it for a pleasure ride on Amite River. Capacity is 5 persons or "x" amount of weight (not sure of the exact lbs.)
Does this mean:
a. Only 5 people max under any circumstances, even if under weight limit; or
b. More than 5 as long as the maximum weight is not over approved limit.
I want to ask two other couples to come with us; he says, he thinks we can only have 5 people max.
So, he wanted me to research it. Figured you guys would know.
Thanks.
4
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:17 pm to TigerAlum1982
How big is the boat?
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:24 pm to TigerAlum1982
It means what it says you cannot have more than 5 people no matter the weight
If you have 4 people who equal the weight you cannot have the 5th person
If you have 4 people who equal the weight you cannot have the 5th person
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:25 pm to TigerAlum1982
Max people or max weight, whichever comes first. You are not supposed to exceed either one.
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:27 pm to 756
Pull the dam sticker off.......
Most boats dont have em anyway, if they are more than say 10 years old
They alwasys peel off, get shitty in time anyway.
Most boats dont have em anyway, if they are more than say 10 years old
They alwasys peel off, get shitty in time anyway.
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:36 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Thanks to you and 756. That is what he thought. Of course, I was hoping he was wrong! Now I have to tell him he was right and I was wrong 
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:38 pm to TigerAlum1982
Nobody really pays attention to it. I highly doubt anybody ever weighed all their gear, batteries, and friends to make sure they were in compliance with the weight rule. I'm sure coast guard never checked either.
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:40 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
He's just worried that if the sticker says 5 people and we clearly have 6 and LDFW would happen to stop us that they will ticket him.
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:43 pm to TigerAlum1982
If he's in compliance with everything else (number of life jackets mainly) then probably not unless the boat is obviously overloaded.
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:47 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
That's how I think. I don't know if I can convince him otherwise.
Posted on 9/1/14 at 8:57 pm to TigerAlum1982
Well getting a ticket for one over definitely won't happen if he's not one over 
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:02 pm to TigerAlum1982
Scratch out a 5 and put a 6.
Seriously, I've been stopped with 7 people in a 16' flats boat...was in compliance with everything else, didn't even get asked about the amount of people.
Seriously, I've been stopped with 7 people in a 16' flats boat...was in compliance with everything else, didn't even get asked about the amount of people.
This post was edited on 9/1/14 at 9:04 pm
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:03 pm to TigerAlum1982
How big of a boat are we talking about?
6 people in a small, even though nice boat is no fun.
FWIW- I run a 22' bay boat and its plate is good for 8 people. No way I would put 8 adults in it (let's assume we meet the weight requirements) and feel safe. I think we had 7 once, and it felt strange.
The reason I say this is because bad things happen really fast on the water. LDWF will be eagle eyed on a 18' bass boat with 6 people on it- that's an easy thing to swamp IMO- I think they would come and check you out.
Sucks, I know, but better to be safe than get swamped by some jackass in a 40' Fountain and y'all end up floating down the Diversion.
Take this as a GRAND opportunity to allow your husband to get a larger "nice fishing boat." He deserves it.
6 people in a small, even though nice boat is no fun.
FWIW- I run a 22' bay boat and its plate is good for 8 people. No way I would put 8 adults in it (let's assume we meet the weight requirements) and feel safe. I think we had 7 once, and it felt strange.
The reason I say this is because bad things happen really fast on the water. LDWF will be eagle eyed on a 18' bass boat with 6 people on it- that's an easy thing to swamp IMO- I think they would come and check you out.
Sucks, I know, but better to be safe than get swamped by some jackass in a 40' Fountain and y'all end up floating down the Diversion.
Take this as a GRAND opportunity to allow your husband to get a larger "nice fishing boat." He deserves it.
This post was edited on 9/1/14 at 9:14 pm
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:14 pm to subMOA
Mr Green Jeans may not get you but the US Coast Guard may board you and if they do it is serious stuff
The sticker is there for your safety. Don't listen to the yahoos that tell you violate it.
Safety on the water is more important than ripping off or defacing a sticker
The sticker is there for your safety. Don't listen to the yahoos that tell you violate it.
Safety on the water is more important than ripping off or defacing a sticker
This post was edited on 9/1/14 at 9:16 pm
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:19 pm to 756
This guy, right above me....he's giving you sound advice.
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:19 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Nobody really pays attention to it.
They pay attention to the number of people in small boats down here. If the boat is overloaded expect to be stopped...
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:34 pm to subMOA
This is his new boat! Has had it about 6 months. I truly appreciate all of the insight/advice. If the law/rule says 5 max., he will not go over that number. We both are really very conscious about safety.
We will just have to take each couple out individually on separate trips.
This is the boat, but his does not have the transom.
LINK
We will just have to take each couple out individually on separate trips.
This is the boat, but his does not have the transom.
LINK
Posted on 9/1/14 at 10:02 pm to TigerAlum1982
quote:
We both are really very conscious about safety.
You need to be. You don't want to find yourself in a boating accident (maybe because you were having to take evasive action and avoid an "impaired" boater), and have it come to light that you were violating basic safety rules.
You'd be up the proverbial creek after you're named in a 5 or 6 civil suits (4 suits from your passengers and a couple from whoever else decides to sue).
Posted on 9/2/14 at 7:28 am to dawg23
We had this question come up on another forum I am on. Here is the response that was given by email from the USCG:
That only covers federal rules - You need to make sure what your State regulations are.
Personally I do not exceed the # on the capacity plate.
quote:
There is no Federal requirement for the owner of a boat to have a capacity plate. Federal regulations require the manufacturer of a recreational boat that is less than 20 feet in length to place a capacity label on the boat when it leaves the factory. This manufacturer requirement is in place for informational purposes for the purchaser of the boat. There is no Federal regulation requiring the owner to retain or maintain the capacity label nor to comply with the information on the label. With all that said, however, some states have passed a state law requiring boat owners to have a capacity label on their boat and to strictly comply with the information on the label. Alabama is one of the states that has such a law but, unfortunately, in enacting the law, they offered no avenue for boat owners who do not have a capacity label to get one. Since it appears that you have the information that should be on the label, I suggest that you place this information on a 3X5 card, laminate it, and glue it inside the boat. Since your boat is a Correct Craft I assume it is an inboard or sterndrive less than 20 feet in length. If so, the label should read:U.S. Coast Maximum Capacities
6 Persons or 850 Pounds
1100 Pounds, persons, gear
However, if your boat is an outboard the label should read:
U.S. Coast Maximum Capacities
6 Persons or 850 Pounds
1100 Pounds, persons, motor, gear
240 Horsepower
Phil Cappel
Chief, Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch (CG-54223)
Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, United States Coast Guard
Phone: (202) 372-1076 Fax: (202) 372-1933
E-mail: Philip.J.Cappel@uscg.mil
Web: www.uscgboating.org
That only covers federal rules - You need to make sure what your State regulations are.
Personally I do not exceed the # on the capacity plate.
This post was edited on 9/2/14 at 7:30 am
Posted on 9/2/14 at 9:19 am to Chris4x4gill2
I believe that rating is for positive flotation. which means if you have that weight in the boat, and the boat is filled completely with water, the boat will still be floating, albeit everything but the top of the gunnel and console will be under. Anymore weight than the maximum and you risk the boat sinking to the bottom.
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