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**Pblais** · 30-06-2009, 20:14

You should not have a problem. Most boats big enough don't need a placard and if you overload the boat you won't be able to fit all the people aboard.

If you as a reasonable person think the boat is overloaded then don't leave the dock. It's probably the right measure for a boat like this. For me after 6 I get jumpy and I know we could easily carry 20 provided they all pee before they board. The other realities of load become more apparent. It's not like the small John Boat with 10 people that sinks from a 6 inch wave because they had a stern anchor out.

The current license system makes a big deal about 3 things. Drinking, capacity, and the "dumb stuff". Like venting a gasoline engine bilge before you turn the key.

These are what kill the most boaters each year. If you even know this stuff you are so far ahead of the curve. We all can be smarter than we are now. We can all learn more. With this in mind boating is a very safe activity. You don't require a capacity plate because the basic rules of thumb don't work on a boat this size but there still are limits.

"Being drunk and stupid is no way to go through life." - from the movie Animal House.

30-06-2009, 20:14	#3
Pblais Moderator Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hayes, VA Boat: Gozzard 36 - Bright Eyes Posts: 6,570	You should not have a problem. Most boats big enough don't need a placard and if you overload the boat you won't be able to fit all the people aboard. If you as a reasonable person think the boat is overloaded then don't leave the dock. It's probably the right measure for a boat like this. For me after 6 I get jumpy and I know we could easily carry 20 provided they all pee before they board. The other realities of load become more apparent. It's not like the small John Boat with 10 people that sinks from a 6 inch wave because they had a stern anchor out. The current license system makes a big deal about 3 things. Drinking, capacity, and the "dumb stuff". Like venting a gasoline engine bilge before you turn the key. These are what kill the most boaters each year. If you even know this stuff you are so far ahead of the curve. We all can be smarter than we are now. We can all learn more. With this in mind boating is a very safe activity. You don't require a capacity plate because the basic rules of thumb don't work on a boat this size but there still are limits. "Being drunk and stupid is no way to go through life." - from the movie Animal House. __________________ Paul Blais s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36 37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W Last edited by Pblais; 30-06-2009 at 20:18.