Coast Guard weight ratings

[Andy in NY]

Re: Coast Guard weight ratings

The calculation for people uses the weight of the maximum size motor allowed not the weight of the motor you have installed.

i am running the max size motor...

They told me that what they do is look at how the boat is riding in the water and make a judgment call, and issue a ticket based on this. They do not weight any of our good looking ladies -- even in uniform they would be scared to do this!

that sounds a little far fetched... imaging fighting that ticket.


i can hear the judge asking the officer to present his evidence..

"well, umm... its in my mind. they LOOKED like they were over capacity"

i cant think of anywhere that allows a citation based on the officers word instead of actual proof. say with speeding. usually they will use radar, laser or the speedometer of the cruiser to base it on. not "he LOOKED like he was going to fast"

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Coast Guard weight ratings

i am running the max size motor...




that sounds a little far fetched... imaging fighting that ticket.


i can hear the judge asking the officer to present his evidence..

"well, umm... its in my mind. they LOOKED like they were over capacity"

i cant think of anywhere that allows a citation based on the officers word instead of actual proof. say with speeding. usually they will use radar, laser or the speedometer of the cruiser to base it on. not "he LOOKED like he was going to fast"

You have not been in too many southern courts, have you?

Maybe they take a picture or measure the water line. I don't know. I don't plan to find out.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Coast Guard weight ratings

no southern courts for me. i grew up in massachusetts. and if you fought a ticket, the officer HAD to show your actual speed in order for the ticket to stick. if they couldnt prove it, it was dropped.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Coast Guard weight ratings

Andy, I have a 65 MFG Niagara, its 14.5 feet overall and is rated 1122 lbs, persons, motor and gear. Don't forget that things like the battery, fuel, anchor, lines, coolers, and anything else that you put in the boat is to be included in the weight.

I have carried 4 adults and two kids in my Niagara, about 660 lbs. Add to that the motor (185) plus 14 gallons fuel (112) plus battery (20?) is 977. That leaves about 150 lbs for carry on. But remember all that neat stuff you add to your boat, like my permenant fuel tank, filter, bilge pump, Navy top, etc needs to be subtracted from the rated capacity. So I would say 4 adults and two kids is about the limit you want to safely carry. I can tell you my Niagara is a little sluggish when fully loaded like that. It does perform well, just not as nimble or quick as when only half loaded. And it does sit lower in the water when loaded, so its easier to get swamped. Always wear PDF's.

That will be a real fun ride. Enjoy!