Vessel Capacity plate

[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by TriDad

New Boater question....

Do the limits on the vessel capacity plate apply to inland waters (Lake Winnipesaukee)?

Which takes precedence; Number of passengers or weight capacity?

If the plate says 6 people or 900 pounds - and I have 8 people but under 900 pounds, am I OK?

The weight capacity includes not only the weight of the passengers but of your gear too. So with a maximum capacity of 6 people or 900 pounds, which ever comes first is the rule to follow. If you have 6 people on your boat and the total weight, including gear, is under 900 pounds - you have 'maxed out' the recommendations from the manufacturer by meeting the 6 people before the weight. Gear weight could be made up of such things as, but not limited to, extra anchors, line, toys, coolers, accessories in the cabin, PFD's, cleaning supplies, towels, clothes, fishing equipment - literally everything that does not come with the boat or is not factored into the gross weight of the vessel as stated by the manufacturer.

In answer to your question, if you have 8 people and you believe you may be under the 900 pounds, chances are that unless all 8 people are anorexic and you carry no gear (other than what is federal and state required) chances are you are over the 900 pounds anyway, but you've already exceeded the manufactures safety recommendation of 6 people in your specific boat. The same applies to weight, if you had 4 individuals in your boat which weighed 200 pounds each, and carried the federal and state minimum requirements for gear, chances are you have maxed the weight limit set by the manufacturer. So in this example you've maxed out the weight recommendation set by the manufacturer.

In New Hampshire, the vessel capacity plaque is not a legal requirement for Vessel Safety Checks - it is a discussion item, whereby the vessel examiner should make you aware of what your capacity plaque is and to understand what it means.

Hope this was of help.