Boat capacities

[Stischendorf]

Ok, so no one roast me for this question, but what penalties in WI are there for ignoring your capacity plate? When I Google search I get all kinds of conflicting info from they can't enforce to it is a misdemeanor and a fine. Now I'm not asking to be stupid about loading my boat, but I have a 2015 SX210 that states 9 and 1670 lbs (or something close to that weight wise). Thinking about 6 adults and 6 small childern (each 50 lbs or smaller). So I'm trying to figure out safety and penalties of this. Please be gentle.

 

[Beachbummer]

I noticed some regulations mentioning that the penalty is for violating the plate when present... I always wondered if I could cover it/hide it to make the plate "not present". Then it can't be used against you... Not what you are looking for...but it is a related thought that crossed my mind at some point.

Added: That is a LOT of people thought. Depending on their weight it may be problematic... are the adults 140 average or more like 220? Best of luck! I'm for personal responsibility, no morality class here, but I would worry on the liability side if the plate was on the boat... I would consider removing it if I was doing it often. If the total weight was substantially under I'd feel comfortable myself. I have not been pulled over in my boat since I've had children that are required to wear their PFD..They see us, and go for the younger crowd more likely to be drunk... Best of Luck with your decision.

 

[Bluewater272]

My understanding is that the capacity plate is required to be there by law, but that it is just a suggestion and not truly enforceable. After all, they aren't going to take everyone and everything out and weigh it.

12 people sounds like an awful lot on a 21' boat.

 

[Beachbummer]

This is not the regulation text, but a private site...

Boat Capacity, Rules & Weight Calculation | BOATERexam.com®

Powerboats less than 20 feet in length are required to have a capacity plate. Learn more about these numbers, what they mean and how they're calculated.

www.boaterexam.com

It says the plate is federally required on boats less than 20ft.

Again, very gray area in my mind.

Here are some words from the association that groups the manufacturers (in my mind, they provide cover for each other)

All about Capacity Plates

Learn about the different capacity plates and what is required by law.

www.discoverboating.com

It seems to reinforce my belief that the plate just increases your liability as a captain.

 

[Billtex2000]

I gotta agree that is a ton of people for our size boat. I had 5 adults on board this weekend and thought to myself as I glanced at my plate, "I can't imagine having 9 people on here at once!" I know the Fish & Wildlife guys on my lake have stopped overloaded boats and checked for PFDs, BUI and such...not sure of the penalties.

 

[props2you]

Typically it's a federally enforced maritime code. Unfortunately I see this often on my boating lake and they take them to the nearest shore and unload until at capacity, have not seen a citation written. It is generally a misdemeanor with fines varying by agency and state, here is MN's: See Section 1, item 4

86B.311 GENERAL RULES FOR OPERATION.
Subdivision 1.Safe operation.

A person may not operate or allow the operation of a watercraft or use a device relating to the use of the watercraft:
(1) in a careless or heedless manner in disregard of the rights or safety of others;
(2) in a reckless or grossly negligent manner that causes personal injury to another or damage to the property of another;
(3) upon the waters of this state without the equipment required by this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter; or
(4) that is loaded with passengers or cargo beyond the watercraft's safe carrying capacity or is equipped with a motor or other propulsion machinery beyond the watercraft's safe power capacity.

Subd. 2.Obstructing navigation.

A person may not operate a watercraft in a manner that obstructs or tends to obstruct normal and ordinary navigation on the waters of this state.
Subd. 3.Unauthorized mooring.

A person may not moor, attach, or hold in any manner a watercraft to a buoy or any other marking device or guide placed in the waters of this state pursuant to lawful authority. This subdivision does not apply to a mooring buoy.
Subd. 4.Swimming or bathing areas.

A person may not operate a watercraft within a water area that has been marked off or set aside as a swimming or bathing area as prescribed by the commissioner's rules.
Subd. 5.Riding on gunwales or decking.

A person may not ride or sit and a person may not operate a motorboat while a person is riding or sitting on (i) the starboard or port gunwales; (ii) the decking over the bow, sides, or stern; or (iii) the transom, of a motorboat while underway unless the motorboat is provided with adequate guards or railing to prevent passengers from falling overboard.
Subd. 6.Law enforcement watercraft displaying emergency lights.

When approaching and passing a law enforcement watercraft with its emergency lights activated, the operator of a watercraft must safely move the watercraft away from the law enforcement watercraft and maintain a slow-no wake speed while within 150 feet of the law enforcement watercraft.

 

[Beachbummer]

Exactly my point. That carrying capacity is added by the manufacturer and not required by coast guard on vessels over 20ft.

No plate, no Max capacity accessible to officer... He can always go back to 86B.311 1.1 above saying no plate but looks full so you are reckless, but better that than clear violation based on easy human count. So, I'm not OP but I may be removing my plate this winter.

 

[props2you]

True, but also brings a potentially whole set of other problems: (not saying any local yocal LO would have the knowledge or capacity to know what to look for) but... I'll be damn sure the Coast Guard does if you boat on waters patrolled by The USCG! Although it probably doesn't take a genius to figure out that 15 people on a 21 foot boat is likely not legal.


From the U.S. Coast Guard: Sec. 183.23 Capacity marking required

:

Each boat must be marked in the manner prescribed in Secs. 183.25 and 183.27 with the maximum persons capacity in whole numbers of persons and in pounds, the maximum weight capacity in pounds, determined under Secs. 183.33 through 183.43, and the maximum horsepower capacity determined under Sec. 183.53 or the statement This Boat Not Rated for Propulsion by a Motor.

 

[Beachbummer]

I wonder if those indicate up to 20ft or 26ft. Over 26ft I know no capacity is usually displayed.

 

[Wisefam22]

If the plate is not present they will use their own USCG calculation to give you the max compacity.

with that being said my boat plate was missing when I got it. I asked around a ton and their is no set what will happen.

I noticed Yamaha says 10 people sx230. USCG calculations shows like 12.4 people max compacity.

I havent checked on it anymore because my sister in law backed out of trip.

It would have been 6 adults 5kids. Plenty of seating room for all kids in bow adults in back (all kids 6 and under).

If its 9 people and 1670lb but you have 8 heavier people and put you over do you still add one more? If you have 11 adults/kids slimmer and under compacity what happens..

A lot will come down to weather conditions and driving awareness. They can fine and send you back to ramp and end your day.

 

[Bearsar240]

I had a buddy drill the rivets on his plate, purchase a 12 person plate off ebay, and rivet back in place. Not saying to do this just adding to the conversation!

 

[Beachbummer]

This is not the truth (my post below, no judgement intended to others at all, just don't trust my info below either)... I could not find regulation that supports it, but along what I had read about the topic

Coast Guard capacity label? - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

The Boating Forum - Coast Guard capacity label? - yottyboy - 2/21/2008 7:23 PM African or European?

www.thehulltruth.com

Mandatory under 20ft.

 

[I_squared_r]

The police would tear you apart if you were here in Long Island. A few years ago there was a major accident when a cruiser capsized. They were way over capacity and children died.

 

[tabbibus]

just put all the adults in the back. Instant free ballast!

 

[Gym]

Let's look at this question from a different perspective. Forget about laws, fines and what you can and can't get away with. Let's look at liability. If you have any kind of accident or incident you will be under a legal microscope. They will not only look at the operator with regard to drinking, drugs and past history. They will also look at the fitness of the craft and whether or not it was being operated within limits. If a death were to result it would be considered willful negligence. There may also be a clause in your boat insurance to cover this scenario.

I'm not trying to be a boy scout here and I'm sure I've probably been in technical violation with regard to weight limitation. You really can't ask your female guests how much they weigh and what everyone's gear weighs but even 1 person over the limit is a willful violation. Three people over the limit is looking for trouble regardless what state you're operating in.

 

[I_squared_r]

Three kids drowned trapped inside the cabin when their yacht capsized on July 4 in Oyster Bay

It's been a while, but I think all the local boaters remember this tragedy.

 

[Beachbummer]

Agreed that from a strict liability concern (among others) there are risks of potentially great consequences.

I see it similar to carrying an extra passenger in the car and draping him with a fake seat belt. It might fool the cop on a good day, but if/when stuff happens... Things will be bad, so... How lucky do you feel??

 

[Port0222]

My understanding is that there is a seat per person. So on the sx230 referenced above. That is 5 around the back, 2 captains chairs and 3 up front for a capacity of 10. I go back to that cabin cruiser on the Hudson in NYC — you would hate to be overloaded and then make a sharp turn and put the passengers in jeopardy. I realize you had a lot of kids planned and their footprint and weight is less, But they all bring gear and make it difficult to move around.

 

[ripler]

Have you seen how much people are weighing down their boats to surf, their ballast alone far outweighs the capacity plates. The law in PA reads "No boat shall be loaded beyond its safe carrying capacity" this makes it the law and not a suggestion. Hell I'm the only person that I know that has a boat that has their trailer inspected yearly as required in PA. I take the approach that 1 stupid decision can ruin your life forever, overload your boat and it sinks and someone dies or gets hurt you broke the law and you are liable.

 

[Gym]

Three kids drowned trapped inside the cabin when their yacht capsized on July 4 in Oyster Bay

It's been a while, but I think all the local boaters remember this tragedy.

Glad you reminded us all that the adults had a say in their safety or lack thereof. THE KIDS DIDN'T.