Getting boat re-rated for Persons Capacity Plate

[PitchFork]

I have an older boat 1994 19' Deep "V" bowrider that has a capacity plate of 7 persons or 1200 pounds. I have neighbors that have 17' small non-Deep "V" Hull 2005 & 2007 Bayliner 175 that is rated for 7 persons and 900 pounds.

My question is it possible to get the boat re-rated and get a new capacity plate and if so how would it be done DNR? I have plenty of room for 9 and then some. I thought I read somewhere in the mid to late 90's the ratings went up for some reason.

I wish it was rated for 8 or 9 as I believe it could easily handle 8.

 

[JB]

Re: Getting boat re-rated for Persons Capacity Plate

That would be a waste of time, PF.

The methods the Engineers and Architects use to determine safe loads and populations forbid we amatuers from guessing what we "have room for".

 

[Outsider]

Re: Getting boat re-rated for Persons Capacity Plate

Your boat is rated for 7 with an average weight of 171#. The Bayliners are rated for 7 with an average weight of 128#. Be honest, which do you think is more realistic? Your boat is stuck with the rating given the day it was born, there are no 'do overs". And USCG/DNR will care less about what you 'thought' when they're writing up the accident report ...

 

[oops!]

Re: Getting boat re-rated for Persons Capacity Plate

they do hydrostatic tests on your boat after the hull is made.

they actually take a empty boat and add weight till it either crushes the hull or the water comes in.

that is the total weight of hull displacement.
then they use a mathematical formula to determine safe loading.

so re rating is only if you do something to change the shape of the hull

 

[PitchFork]

Re: Getting boat re-rated for Persons Capacity Plate

I figured I was stuck at 7 even knowing I have enough seats for 10. The next boat will be a 21? or 23? so 11 people can fit legally. I once had 10 people on the boat (I know ) mostly kids in PDFs (3 Adults and 7 small kids under 10) because we had to drop their boat off and my boat still handled well and did not look overloaded whatsoever. I know I was over persons capacity but not over weight. I have only done that once for a short half mile trip. It will not happen again!

Thanks for the comments I really knew the answer guess I just needed to hear it. The wife and kids did too as they bug me about each of the kids wanting to bring a friend. Me, Wife, and three kids = 5 and then only two kids can bring a friend = one complaining.