weight and people capacities

A

Arl798

New Member
Feb 26, 2011
181
Saskatchewan Canada / Key West Florida
Boat Info
400 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Engines
Twin Cat 3116
Can anyone tell me how many people can safely be on my 1999 400db sedan bridge? Basically wondering if I can safely have say 18 to 20 people on board for a party? Of course this will be a fair weather cruise.

As well was wondering if I need to do any modifications to put a 3 seater sea doo on the swim platform? And if anyone has any recommendations for a cheap lift system I would love to hear it. Thanks
 

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You should have a capacity plate that will tell the maximum. I'm sure you have plenty of room.
 
The 400DB will be yacht rated so I believe that you can stuff as many people on as you want as long as there are PFD's that fit for all readily accessible. I would have to say there is no way I would want to take that many people out of the dock. This is a recipe for disaster!
I will defer to others as far as the Sea Doo goes. No such thing as a cheap SP lift and that PWC is probably heavier than the SP rating. I would not recommend it.
 
Good point about the life jackets -- you will need one for each passenger. I don't know about Canada but a capacity plate is required by the USCG for boats over 20 ft if I recall correctly. You can check with Sea Ray support to see what the official capacity rating is for your boat and they may be able to send you a new plate.

As for the platform, I've seen some pretty big jet skis on smaller boats.
 
The problem I see with a lot of people on the boat is how do you keep up with everyone. All the idle hands attached to know-it-all busy bodies is a recipe for disaster. Just think of all the ways an uneducated inexperienced guest can get into trouble......20 people x 50% = 10 females. NOw figure how many tampons, kleenexes, paper towels, cigarette butts, etc. you are going to have to retreive from your head system.

The problem with a Sea Doo on the platform isn't the platform, other than the fact that the OEM platform isn't big enough, but rather whether or not your transom has the necessary supporting structure for added loads a hydraulic platform would put on the boat. I've seen more than on big Sea Ray in the yard at our marina with the transom literally peeled off the boat after the owner added a hydraulic platform and did not involve a SR dealer or even ask SR about the vessel's structure.
 
Be careful about towing a PWC. You need to pinch off the exhaust hose or water will backup and hydrolock your engine.
 
ok i will forsure keep all that in mind. And the boat is in Cancun Mexico, so not too worried about the Canadian rules. I think I will just kybosh the PWC...Seems like a waste too me.

So besides the fact people will act in an inexperienced manner...20 people shouldn't be a problem for stability or anything like that. I have a part time Captain and mate that work full time on a brand new 52 foot marquis so there will at least be 3 experienced boaters..lol

And I currently have 16 life vests....Shouldn't be an issue to acquire a few more.
 
I would think the seat for everyone would be safer that the length (in feet) multiplied by Beam (in feet) divided by: 15



http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/reviewpages/boatusf/pdf_files/info1a.pdf

[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]For boats over 26 feet, the general rule of thumb is to only have as many people aboard as you [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]have built-in seats. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]Another way to determine how many people you may safely carry is to use [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold]the following formula:[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]Boat length (in feet) multiplied by Beam (in feet) divided by: 15[/FONT][/FONT]​


[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]http://my.boatus.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51527[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold]​



[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]Digitalsilver[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]Forum Member[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold]
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[FONT=Arial,Bold]Joined: 30 December 2001[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Bold]Posts: 2190 Posted: 06 January 2005 at 10:04pm | IP Logged The rough estimate formula is length X width divided by 15. Our SR 400DB works out to about 37-42 people depending on how you measure the length (that'll fill the head fast!). The dynamics change significantly when you get to larger boats. You can easily see where only a few feet in length and breadth will have a significant impact on capacity since you multiply the two together and then apply the factor used to determine the capacity. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Bold]Edited by Digitalsilver on 06 January 2005 at 10:08pm [/FONT]​


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Jack F said:
I would think the seat for everyone would be safer that the length (in feet) multiplied by Beam (in feet) divided by: 15
Click to expand...

Based on this calculation your capacity is close to 40 people. On a humorous and related side note, that formula is based on an average weight of 160 lbs....the USCG is planning to amend the formula because the average U.S. weight is now 185 lbs.
 
Tonka Boater said:
Based on this calculation your capacity is close to 40 people. On a humorous and related side note, that formula is based on an average weight of 160 lbs....the USCG is planning to amend the formula because the average U.S. weight is now 185 lbs.
Click to expand...

I know…that formula seems a little crazy,(any more that 4 adults seems to much) I also saw that the USCG was upping the average weight due to obesity….
 
Tonka Boater said:
Based on this calculation your capacity is close to 40 people. On a humorous and related side note, that formula is based on an average weight of 160 lbs....the USCG is planning to amend the formula because the average U.S. weight is now 185 lbs.
Click to expand...
The change in average weight only applies to commercial passengers vessels. Tonka, what does the capacity plate say on your boat?
 
Our upper helm has a factory sticker that says
MAXIMUM CAPACITY PERSONS AND GEAR WHEN UNDER WAY 1080 POUNDS.
 
Tonka Boater said:
Good point about the life jackets -- you will need one for each passenger. I don't know about Canada but a capacity plate is required by the USCG for boats over 20 ft if I recall correctly. You can check with Sea Ray support to see what the official capacity rating is for your boat and they may be able to send you a new plate.

As for the platform, I've seen some pretty big jet skis on smaller boats.
Click to expand...

Hey Tonka, your boat doesn't have a capacity plate, so why would a 40DB?! The 280DA is also yacht rated...
 
Gunn said:
Hey Tonka, your boat doesn't have a capacity plate, so why would a 40DB?! The 280DA is also yacht rated...
Click to expand...

Woody said:
So was my 270SD.:huh:
Click to expand...

Cut me some slack....I did say "if I recall correctly".

I looked it up and I was backwards, the regulation states "Under the U.S. Coast Guard Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, boats less than 20 feet powered with an inboard, outboard, or stern drive engine manufactured after November 1, 1972, must display a capacity plate defining the safe load limits. This plate must be mounted where you can see it when preparing to get underway. Sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats are exempt from this standard."

I haven't been on my boat for a week because of the crappy weather but the manual for 280 says the capacity is 10 people or 2600 lbs (1180 kg) for people plus gear.
 
That formula equates to 17 people on my 280? No way is that going to happen. I think 6 adults and 2 kids is more than enough.
 
Tonka Boater said:
Cut me some slack....I did say "if I recall correctly".

I looked it up and I was backwards, the regulation states "Under the U.S. Coast Guard Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, boats less than 20 feet powered with an inboard, outboard, or stern drive engine manufactured after November 1, 1972, must display a capacity plate defining the safe load limits. This plate must be mounted where you can see it when preparing to get underway. Sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats are exempt from this standard."

I haven't been on my boat for a week because of the crappy weather but the manual for 280 says the capacity is 10 people or 2600 lbs (1180 kg) for people plus gear.
Click to expand...
I've seen that also...a 280DA ordered with CE option would have that label in place of our Yacht certified label. Too many people for my taste but seems like it's reasonable for a 280. I wonder what the formula is for that international rating?
 
Here is the latest numbers for a 2011 280
Max Persons/Weight : 10 Persons or 1,667 Lbs / 756 Kg
(MWC) Max Weight - Persons/Gear : 2,045 Lbs / 928 Kg
 
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