Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

[Dustin099]

The previous weight used to rate commercial vessels was 160 pounds but beginning in December that number will jump to 185 pounds. This means that a boat that was rated to hold 100 passengers will now only be rated for 86 passengers.

The new requirements won't apply to recreational boats, only commercial boats.

Think about the decreased revenue at first that this will cause deep sea fishing boats, cruise ships and ferry boats. Of course companies won't tolerate decreased revenue for long and will reflect the new requirements into ticket prices. I imagine that fishing charters and cruises will cost a little extra money in 2012.

This is a perfect example of the hidden costs of our habit for overindulgence.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

Even at 185, it is still light. I know and see a lot of people that are 330 or better.

 

[capslock118]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

I've noticed that guidelines and/or regulations have been changing at multiple fronts due to the average increase in weight in the US.

the FDA is looking into changing nutritional data labels based on increased caloric intake; not many know this but it already is too high. 2,000 calories a day is too high for a normal diet level but 2,000 was used at the time because it reflected the average consumption of america at that time.

 

[Dustin099]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

Even at 185, it is still light. I know and see a lot of people that are 330 or better.

I'm not sure what the actual American average weight it but 330 is definitely the exception not the rule. With women factored in 185 might be pretty close to the average weight.

There is another factor to -

Is the average weight of Americans that spend leisure time on boats lower than the average for the country as a whole?

 

[QC]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

Is the average weight of Americans that spend leisure time on boats lower than the average for the country as a whole?

Look again, "commercial" only. So the demographic is those who spend time on ferries, fishing charters, sightseeing boats, whale watching, water taxis, dinner cruises, dive boats etc. etc. etc. factored by the percentage of each of those sub groups . . . At least I think that's kinda how it goes

FWIW, there is no one in my family, even extended, over 185. Most under 160. This is not bragging, but my first reaction was that 185 was too high, so perspective makes a huge difference. I'd love to see the data used by the CG.

Oh, and if I wasn't a Mod, and if I didn't care if I incited the underlying politics I would say I hate that this is linked back to the hidden costs of health stuff. This leads to food police, and they scare me more than second hand smoke zealots. But I am a Mod, and I do care if I incite a political thread, so I won't post that . . . Careful please

 

[freelancer]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

Listened to something on the radio last week about this topic, in short they said that the standards were decades old, on average-we all weigh a little more these days
And what was also interesting was - We take up more square footage on average so less people take up more space. Don't know if they were referring to busses, trains, planes or boats????

 

[sasto]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

I doubt this ruling will affect any sportfishermen I know, including myself. The "Andrea C" can hold 20, but for a charter fishing trip, 6 is the max I will take. This may be a blessing for some I've seen overloaded.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

My 1966 13' Boston Whaler weighs more now than it did in 1966.....so what? Everything gains weight with age.

Also, to the original poster....I sense a little disdain towards American and our way of life in your reading.....so what if America is gaining weight?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

Per the CDC as of 2009

Body Measurements
(Data for the U.S.)

Measured average height, weight, and waist circumference for adults ages 20 years and over

Men:
Height (inches): 69.4
Weight (pounds): 194.7
Waist circumference (inches): 39.7

Women:
Height (inches): 63.8
Weight (pounds): 164.7
Waist circumference (inches): 37.0

 

[Dustin099]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

Also, to the original poster....I sense a little disdain towards American and our way of life in your reading.....so what if America is gaining weight?

No sir, I just have a love for the study of economics and I when I heard this news my economist mind shouted "Hidden Costs!!".

It's like when you buy insurance for your car and have never had an accident in your life. Built into your insurance rate is coverage for drivers who have had 20 accidents in their life. Even though your rate is lower it is still picking up some of their slack. The rate the insurance company would have to charge the guy prone to accidents would be far to high for him to afford so they slip the cost into everyone else's premiums.

Just like how a skinny guy will have to pick up the slack for an obese guy who is causing the requirements to change. The skinny guy didn't contribute to the new requirements but he will have to pay for it through higher ticket prices on his favorite deep sea head boat.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

I hear ya...and yes, that's how it's been in America for a long time. Like how I've worked hard all my life (Retired military), have a nice job now and am able to support my family nicely. Now I'm paying a higher percentage of my income to taxes than a guy in a lower tax bracket....I'm paying more for services I don't use to take up the slack of a lower income earner. It seems this is the way America is going......take from those who have worked hard in life (in this case, stayed healthy and at a healthy weight) and give to those who don't have the work ethic or dietary discipline that we do.

I'm with ya bro....

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

Now I'm paying a higher percentage of my income to taxes than a guy in a lower tax bracket....I'm paying more for services I don't use to take up the slack of a lower income earner. It seems this is the way America is going......take from those who have worked hard in life (in this case, stayed healthy and at a healthy weight) and give to those who don't have the work ethic or dietary discipline that we do.

There is an old saying, might have heard of it ... "Only the little people pay taxes." ~Leona Helmsley

Although the tax code in theory would have you paying more, in reality that is far from how it works. Once you are well into and past the upper middle class, your effective tax rate that you actually pay drops. GE is the perfect example. THAT is the american way. Rob the people blind who can't pay, while the rich get richer.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Cost Guard Decreasing Boat Capacity Limits Due to Increasing American Waist Lines

I see this thread has taken the trip to Politicsville...