This plate displays three important items:
- The maximum persons capacity (XX persons or XXX pounds).
- The maximum carrying weight - persons, motor & gear (pounds).
- The maximum horsepower recommended for the boat.
- The maximum persons capacity (XX persons or XXX pounds).
- The maximum carrying weight - persons, motor & gear (pounds).
- The maximum horsepower recommended for the boat.
What is a capacity plate on a boat?
Federal Law mandates that all powerboats less than twenty feet in length need to carry this information in the form of a Capacity Plate. Each Capacity Plate includes the maximum number of adult persons, the maximum gross load, and the maximum size of engine, in horsepower, that your boat can legally carry.
What does the number plate on a boat tell you?
This plate displays three important items: The maximum persons capacity (XX persons or XXX pounds). The maximum carrying weight - persons, motor & gear (pounds). The maximum horsepower recommended for the boat.
Does the number of seats in a boat indicate capacity?
The number of seats in a boat is not an indication of the number of people it can safely carry. Capacity plates can generally be found on the inside transom, or next to the helm station.
Do you need a license plate on a boat?
Boat manufacturers are required by federal law to include a capacity plate. This plate must be visible from the boat’s helm or steering area if the boat is less than 20 feet in length and motorized. Kayaks, sailboats, canoes and inflatables are exempt from having to have a plate.
What information is usually found on the capacity plate of a boat?
Look for a capacity plate near the operator's position or on the transom of the boat. This plate indicates the maximum weight capacity and/or the maximum number of people that the boat can carry safely in good weather.
What can be found on a capacity plate?
Each Capacity Plate includes the maximum number of adult persons, the maximum gross load, and the maximum size of engine, in horsepower, that your boat can legally carry. The next time you're around a boat, look for its Capacity Plate; it should be permanently fastened near the steering area, or the helm.
What is the important safety info found on a boat's capacity plate?
What important safety information is found on a boat's capacity plate? Maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safety.
What type of boat must have a capacity plate?
You must be aware of the federal regulations for your boat's engine power (horsepower) and gross load capacity (maximum weight). According to federal law, motorized boats that are less than 20 feet in length must have a capacity plate in the steering or helm area.
What useful information can be found on a capacity plate quizlet?
What information is displayed on the capacity plate of an outboard powerboat? the maximum weight and number of people that the boat can carry and horsepower rating.
What piece of equipment on a boat is most important?
The piece of equipment on a boat that is most important in protecting propeller strike injuries is the ignition safety switch lanyard. It is also known as a kill switch, and is attached to the ignition, meaning the captain will cut the engine and propeller if he or she falls away from the helm.Feb 7, 2019
What does a boat's capacity plate indicate quizlet?
A boat's capacity plate gives the maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely in certain weather conditions.
What happens if a boat is loaded beyond its capacity?
How will a boat perform if it is loaded beyond its capacity rating? it will be difficult to control.
What is a boat's capacity plate?
What is a Capacity Plate? Boat manufacturers are required by federal law to include a capacity plate. This plate must be visible from the boat’s helm or steering area if the boat is less than 20 feet in length and motorized. Kayaks, sailboats, canoes and inflatables are exempt from having to have a plate.
When did the capacity plates come into effect?
The law governing the use of capacity plates came into effect on August 1, 1973. If you have old boats then you won’t have a plate. Likewise, if you made your own boats then it won’t have a plate. There is a formula you can follow to learn how to calculate capacity.
How many people died from overloading boats in 2019?
A large number of deaths and injuries on the water are caused by overloading boats. There were 57 deaths in 2019 alone as a result of this. Many boaters are not aware of the capacity of their boat. They are unfamiliar with capacity plates. Some boaters do not know what their boat capacity plate states. Let’s take a look at where to find your boat’s ...
Why is there a maximum weight limit on a boat?
The weight limit is obvious. But some boaters wonder why there is a maximum capacity for passengers as well. It’s because people are very unpredictable. If your boat can handle 1000 lbs, then 1000 lbs of gear is very easy to load safely. However, a 1000 lb person capacity would not be. People move around.
Why does my boat plow into the water?
That will keep the boat running smoothly. It puts less strain on the engine and makes handling easier. A heavy bow will cause the boat to plow into the water. This slows progress considerably. It strains the engine and may cause you to take on water. Too much weight to port or starboard will cause the boat to list.
How much does a human weigh on a capacity plate?
The other thing to consider is that people obviously do not have consistent weight. For the purposes of a capacity plate, a human’s weight is averaged to 150lbs. So if you have passengers who weigh much less or much more, it can skew that particular figure.
Do boaters know what their boat plate states?
Some boaters do not know what their boat capacity plate states. Let’s take a look at where to find your boat’s capacity plate. Also, how you can figure out your boat’s capacity if you have no plate, so you and your passengers can stay safe.
Where are the capacity plates on a boat?
Capacity plates can generally be found on the inside transom, or next to the helm station. Capacity plates should never be removed, altered, or tampered with.
When did the Coast Guard start requiring stern drive engines?
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.
Can you exceed the horse power limit on a boat?
While it is not a Federal violation for a boat owner to exceed the listed capacities, many states do have statutes prohibiting the carriage of people and gear in excess of the stated capacity, or the installation of a motor that exceeds the recommended horse power limit.
Where is the capacity plate on a powerboat?
These plates can be found near the front of the vessel, usually adjacent to the steering area.
What does a capacity plate mean?
The capacity plate indicates another valuable piece of information, the maximum horsepower. This restriction applies to the engine, and cannot be exceeded. If the capacity plate does not list the vessel's maximum horsepower, consult the manufacturer.
What is the importance of knowing the class of a boat?
As important as it is to know the class of one's boat, based on size, it is equally vital that one understands the maximum person capacity and maximum gross load of the vessel. One is legally required to be within these parameters whenever operating a vessel.
What Is A Capacity Plate?
What If There Is No Capacity Plate?
- The law governing the use of capacity plates came into effect on August 1, 1973. If you have old boats then you won’t have a plate. Likewise, if you made your own boats then it won’t have a plate. There is a formula you can follow to learn how to calculate capacity.
Why Is Horsepower Capacity listed?
- The horsepower on a boat capacity plate is very important. An engine that is too large for a boat can be a danger. It may seem like a fun idea to be a huge engine on a small boat to make it fly. The problem is a larger engine can be too heavy. You may end up weighing down the stern so badly that the boat flips. If it doesn’t flip, you may cause the transom to dip too low. You could ta…
Why Is Weight and Number of People listed?
- The weight limit is obvious. But some boaters wonder why there is a maximum capacity for passengers as well. It’s because people are very unpredictable. If your boat can handle 1000 lbs, then 1000 lbs of gear is very easy to load safely. However, a 1000 lb person capacity would not be. People move around. Their center of gravity shifts. They may all congregate at one side of th…
National Marine Manufacturers Association Standards
- Some boats carry a NMMA plate. These list standards beyond the capacities listed on a capacity plate. That includes info about fuel navigation lights, steering, maneuverability, and more.
Capacity Plates Aren’T Absolute
- An important thing to remember about your boat capacity plate is circumstance. These numbers are under ideal conditions. That means calm seas. If you’re out in a storm on rough seas, the situation changes. If you’re at capacity and a storm hits, it could be very dangerous. Get to shore as quickly and safely as possible in such a situation. If you have an idea that the weather may tu…