Good Day to Everyone and Happy March (Although the weather doesn't seem like it).

Boating season is nearly upon us. Think about it this way, Ice Out is usually around April 15th - That's only 6 weeks away. We're getting closer!!!

Today I would like to talk about a question we get asked from every boat buyer.

"What is the carrying capacity of this boat"

The Coast Guard requires every boat to have a Capacity Sticker telling you how many people the boat can carry. However this capacity can be somewhat misleading.

The capacity sticker on one of our most popular pontoons (Premier 220 Sunsation) say's 11 Persons OR 1560 LBS OR 2245 LBS Persons Motor and Gear. What exactly does that mean.

Well if you divide 1560 LBS by 11 persons that would equal 142 LBS per person. Now we all know that your not going to have 11 persons that weigh 142 LBS each on board the boat, so what they are saying is that you might have some people that weigh more and some that weigh less. As long as you Average 142 LBS. Could you have 15 person if they all weighed 100 LBS - YES, but that's not likely.

It also say's 2245 Persons, Motor and Gear. What does that mean?

The boat is rated at Maximum 115 HP and a 115 HP motor weighs approximately 400 LBS. So that's the weight they use in calculating the 11 Persons.  If you had a 40 HP motor that weighs 215 LBS could you carry more People - The answer is YES.

Lets say you have a 40 HP motor that weighs 215 LBS, a battery that weighs 75 LBS, Full tank of Gas that weighs 135 LBS and 100 LBS of gear. That totals 525 LBS. Now take 2245 LBS and subtract 525 LBS and that leaves you with 1720 LBS. Now Divide 1720 LBS by 142 LBS per person equals 12 Persons.

There you have it. The thing is that most Water Patrol Officers don't understand this and will probably ticket you if you have more than 11 Persons.

HAPPY BOATING

Tom at Family Marine