how many people on board

ynot · May 13, 2013

hello I have a 400 sedan bridge :huh:,could someone advise me on how many people can my boat carry is 15 too many? thx for any reply :smt001

electricaldoctor · May 13, 2013

When there is no capacity plate affixed to the boat, I believe that there is a USCG formula out there that is only good for boats up to 26'. It is L. x B. / 15 = number of passengers. So if your boat is 26' wide with an 8' beam, you can have 14 passengers on board. I am not sure how they compute this for longer boats.

wetpaint · May 13, 2013

Use conservative common sense...We all want good days on the water with our friends and family, but you are the captain and owner. For me if I have to ask that question, I have too many and/or coming close.....There should be a capacity plate somewhere on your boat, but safety and comfort should come first. Dont forget you need a life jacket on board for each person and know what age a child must wear one (12 and under in most states).......Dont forget with a bridge boat, the bridge alone can only accommodate so much weight/persons.....Have fun

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/loca...ws/local/Boat-Capsize-Long-Island-Three-Children-Dead-Oyster-Bay-161413985.html

fwebster · May 13, 2013

There is no capacity plate on yacht classification boats. But, that doesn't mean the number is unlimited. You are responsible for the safety and well-being of your passengers and you don't want your boat trashed. On a 400DB with 15 people aboard, there will be a large number of humans out of your sight doing God only knows what. The boat will hold them, but that doesn't mean it is wise or safe.

northern · May 13, 2013

My upper helm has a plate as you go up the stairs that says 1050 pound capacity under way.
I once ran both tanks almost empty and only filled one as I wanted to see the true capacity when I ran out on the almost empty tank. With one tank full 150 gallons that is 1000 pounds it felt like the boat was very unsable. 15 people will move around and weight could be 2500 pounds. That could make the boat in my opinion hard to handle if they all decide to go to one spot to look at things. Does any one know if the upper gell coat to hull paint is an indicator of capacity. My boat has pin stripe on the sides just above the water line is that the maximum displacement indicator.

GottaLuvit · May 13, 2013

I have the same boat and I try to limit to no more than 12. And this would be only for something like a short trip to raft out for a fireworks show, etc. As for a day cruise, I found 8 is a number where I feel I can have an enjoyable trip and keeping things managable.

SassyCarrie · May 14, 2013

I too have the same boat. I had 15 one time, 12 is the maximum I will allow for a dinner cruise and agree with Gottaluvit... 8 is the mean.

ynot · May 14, 2013

thank you all great Forum we are all adults (14) going around San Diego bay CA for the day have safety vests for all. 6 on bridge and 8 down all family ,I hate to cut any one from the trip :smt101 I hired a captain to help ,I will probably have couple of drinks :thumbsup: need to boat in open sea for 30 mnts then into the bay for few hours .:huh:more reply please

Rxflyer · May 14, 2013

I've also found that 8 is a good working number. I think 15 onboard would be a stretch. I guess another question is whether or not those 15 guests are familiar with boating or not. Always a concern about proper use of the head, etc. Maybe another option might be to take 2 smaller groups, on 2 separate days ? I like the idea of hiring a captain to help, so you can keep a better eye on things.

Art · May 14, 2013

15 is probably okay for a quiet cruise around the Bay, but I think 15 is pushing it especially if you're going out in the ocean. Sounds like you might be departing from Mission Beach. Since you're only 30 minutes from the Bay by boat, Why not have half of your guest drive down and meet the boat in the Bay. Enjoy the day in the Bay as a group, then have those that came by car take the boat ride back, while the others take the car back home.

Good luck, Art

Carver370 · May 14, 2013

So this isn't ok?

Deuceornothing · May 14, 2013

Carver370 said:
So this isn't ok?

That's how we float in Lanier

BritLady · May 14, 2013

Art said:
15 is probably okay for a quiet cruise around the Bay, but I think 15 is pushing it especially if you're going out in the ocean. Sounds like you might be departing from Mission Beach. Since you're only 30 minutes from the Bay by boat, Why not have half of your guest drive down and meet the boat in the Bay. Enjoy the day in the Bay as a group, then have those that came by car take the boat ride back, while the others take the car back home.

Good luck, Art

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Good idea great advice!

ynot · May 17, 2013

thanks again great idea to have a small group go by car and join us at the bay .that might work :smt038

Ike · May 17, 2013

Have you looked in your owners manual? The information you seek may be there. If not, call Sea Ray and ask what they recommend. The formula given about (Length times Beam / 15) is only a rule of thumb for boats under 20 feet. The USCG requires capacity labels for boats under 20 feet and does not use that formula. Capacities for boats below 26 or so feet are based on displacement, that is, how much weight the boat can carry. Above 26 feet displacement is no longer the criteria because the boat can load far more weight than is safe. Capacities are based on stability, what will it take to cause the boat to capsize. It is surprising how little weight can cause the boat to become unstable if it is placed too high or too far to one side. Boat manufacturers usually have a naval architect do what is called a stability and weight study to determine what the safe load is. On large boats they even do an inclining experiment, that is they place known weights at known locations and measure how far the boat leans. From this they can calculate the stability.

If there is a capacity label on your boat it will look like this,

see Here for information on loading: http://newboatbuilders.com/docs/BoatCapacityVSAvailableSeating.pdf
http://newboatbuilders.com/docs/safeloading.pdf
http://newboatbuilders.com/docs/stability.pdf

Those will give you information to make an informed decision. The problem here is no matter how many you can carry safely below decks, you cannot allow very many people on the bridge. Some boats even have a separate capacity label for the bridge. I would go with the recommendations above but limit the bridge to 4 or less. Putting weight up high reduces the stability of the boat. So error on the side of safety.

I agree with the comments about open water vs protected waters. Open waters can be much rougher and more subject to swells and wind. Limit how many you take if you are going out to open water and check the weather and sea conditions first. If it's kicking up (white caps, large swells windy etc,) don't go.

See here what happens when you load far too many people on the boat http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...k/kids-drowned-trapped-cabin-yacht-capsized-july-4-oyster-bay-article-1.1108313 This particular accident has become a case study for boat designers and naval architects.

how many people on board

ynot

electricaldoctor

wetpaint

fwebster

northern

GottaLuvit

SassyCarrie

ynot

Rxflyer

Art

Carver370

Deuceornothing

BritLady

ynot

Ike

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