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CAPACITY
Since 1972, all single-hulled recreational boats less than 20 feet in length have a placard, in sight of the operator, stating the “capacity” of that boat. A capacity plate states the maximum number of people, weight* and horsepower. Operators should never exceed the rated capacity as doing so can cause the boat to capsize.The capacity of a boat is generally predetermined by the manufacturer. If your boat is exempt from having a capacity plate, such as personal watercraft, you should reference the owners’ manual and state laws.
NOTE: The Coast Guard Capacity Information label is required only on monohull boats less than 20' in length. The label is not required on multi-hull boats, pontoon boats (catamarans), or on any sailboats, canoes, kayaks, or inflatable boats, regardless of length.
If you have a homemade boat, or one that was manufactured prior to 1972, it will not have a boat builder’s capacity plate. In this case, a rule of thumb for determining the number of people is:
- Length x Width divided by 15 = approximate number of people (ex. 12’ length x 4’ width = 48 divided by 15 = 3.2). Round down to just 3 people being allowed on board.
* The average weight of a person is considered to be 150 pounds.
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