How much weight can a boat carry?
According to John Adey, ABYC's technical director and one of the BoatUS Ask The Experts, recreational outboard-powered boats can safely carry a pound of weight — in passengers, cargo, or engine — per five pounds of displacement.
How do you calculate the maximum capacity of a boat?
If your boat does not have a capacity plate, the U.S. Coast Guard recommends the following formula for calculating maximum occupancy: multiply the boat's length times its width and divide by 15. For example, a 6-foot wide, 18-foot boat can carry up to seven people safely.Sep 29, 2014
What happens if you go over weight capacity on a boat?
If a boat exceeds its weight limit, the boat loses its stability, and eventually, if the weight is increased further, the boat's draft increases, and the boat will sink in the worst-case scenario; otherwise, it can capsize. Mostly, in calm waters, boats won't capsize much than in rough waters.
How much weight can a 12 foot boat hold?
425 poundsAverage weight capacity for various Jon boat sizesJon boat sizeWeight capacity10 feet (3 m)325 pounds (147.5 kg)12 feet (3.65 m)425 pounds (193 kg)14 feet (4 m)610 pounds (277 kg)3 more rows
How much weight can a 16 ft aluminum boat hold?
At 16 foot in length a Jon boat can usually hold about 1,000 lbs. An 18 foot Jon boat will hold, on average, about 1,500 lbs. At 20+ feet in length a jon boat is able to hold up to 1,900 lbs of people and equipment.
What is the weight limit for a 20 foot pontoon boat?
A pontoon boat can carry between 1500 and 3700 lbs, depending on the make and how long your boat is. To play it safe, always stay well within the manufacturer's recommended maximum carrying weight. Keep in mind that not just people but also supplies, gas, livewells, etc all contribute to your boat's overall weight.Oct 8, 2021
Does weight matter on a boat?
Obviously, for stability, you want the CoG as low as possible so a lot of weight high up, say in a flybridge boat, is not helpful. Then, fore/aft weight distribution is also important. A bow heavy boat may dig into waves and be dangerous in a following sea, an aft heavy boat may struggle to get onto the plane.Oct 29, 2003
Does a baby count as a person on a boat?
They are a person, so they would count as one person per your boat's capacity plate regardless of what state you were in.Sep 6, 2010
What size outboard do I need for a 15 foot boat?
What Size Outboard Do I Need For A 15 Foot Boat? You should find one to match your budget for a boat that is about 10-15 feet long. These lightweight boats won't be quite as powerful as larger cars so they'll have an engine about 15 horsepower in the range of 20-30 horsepower.Feb 21, 2022
Abstract
Have you ever wondered how a ship made of steel can float? Or better yet, how can a steel ship carry a heavy load without sinking? In this science project you will make little "boats" out of aluminum foil to investigate how their size and shape affects much weight they can carry and how this relates to the density of water.
Objective
Determine how much weight can be supported by boat hulls of various volumes and how this relates to the density of water.
Credits
Junior Engineering, 1997. Buoyancy. Utah State University. Retrieved December 29, 2006.
Cite This Page
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thuffam Junior Member
How do you calculate how much weight a boat can comfortably carry? And is this directly related to displacement?
Landlubber Senior Member
Yes it is the displacement of the vessel and the weight of the crew, total displacement.
Fanie Fanie
Pity you're in NZ though Tim, the US guys's boats can float much more pounds than the Kg's we have to float.
Ike Senior Member
If I were doing this I would use ABYC's standard for capacity of canoes. You start by determining maximum weight capacity This is essentially a canoe body
erik818 Senior Member
I consider myself a good engineer, but at best an enthusiastic amateur when it comes to boat design and building. To me "displacement" only means amount of water displaced, weight in other words. Displacement obviously varies with the load, so you have to specify if you mean empty hull displacement, maximum load displacement etc.
oldsailor7 Senior Member
The most simple way to determine the max safe load your boat can carry is to measure the volume of the immersed portion of the hull, in cubic feet, at the designed max waterline. Multiply that volume by 63 for fresh water or 64 for seawater and deduct the deadweight of the boat. The result will give you the max safe load you can carry, in Lbs.
Guest625101138 Previous Member
How do you calculate how much weight a boat can comfortably carry? And is this directly related to displacement?
How much fuel does a boat need?
Boating World says that fuel is approximately six pounds per gallon of gas and water storage is about eight pounds per gallon. Add some life jackets, heavy waterskiing accessories, and scuba gear, and your boat lift weight capacity can really skyrocket!
What do you need to know before buying a boat lift?
Before buying a boat lift, however, you first have to determine the boat lift capacity you need. Basic information, such as width and dry weight, is a solid starting point for figuring out the right style and size.
What is the best boat lift?
There are three models of boat lifts to choose from: 1 FLOATING provides the best choice for deep-water fixed docks and floating docks. 2 BOTTOM STANDING work best for shallow water and fixed docks. 3 SUSPENDED should be the top choice for moderately deep water and fixed docks.
Why do boats need lifts?
The boat’s exterior may also deteriorate when too much moisture is absorbed. A boat lift is a crucial piece of equipment to make all of these tasks to protect the boat. With the help of a boat lift, getting the boat in and out of the water for whatever purpose becomes quick, easy, and convenient.
What is an experiment in science?
An experiment involves testing ideas and manipulating variables. In this experiment, we are testing which boat will hold the most weight. We are changing only the size of the boat.
How to make a boat faster?
Place the boat on the water. Add a drop of dish soap behind the boat. If you cut a notch in the back of your boat, add the drop of soap into the notch. The boat should race across the water. We found that the boats with a notch traveled faster than the boats with a straight back. Instagram.
Can you use dish soap on a boat?
Once the soap spreads through the water, you won’t be able to try it again. You’ll need to empty the container of water and refill it. Then, you can race your boat again. Instead of dropping the dish soap behind the boat, you could use a toothpick to spread the soap on the back of the boat.
skanperch
Hello to all in the forum......for 15 yrs I've owned a 16.5' Starcraft Camp Boat, with a 25 hp 2 stroke Merc. I'd like to get a new motor for this rig, a 4 stroke..... But every 25 hp 4 stroke I have looked at weighs 50 to 60 pounds more than my current motor, and I am questioning if that extra weight would be too much for the transom to bear.
Smeltz
Like most everybody else, I had two strokes. Then I finally upgraded to a 16.5' Alumacraft, tiller control with a 40 hp, EFI, 4 stroke Yamaha. Best upgrade I ever made. I've had no problems with the weight back there but, then again, I never ran a 2 stroke on that particular boat either.
smallboat
If the transom is in good shape (not waterlogged or rotted), it strength should be enough hold the extra weight without a problem. The problem most small boat have in repowering with a four stroke is that they were not designed for the extra weight resulting in really low freeboard at the transom and difficulty getting on plane.
bluetop
Adding weight at the bow would help to bring the transom up. I run with a 60 lb. bucket of paint at my bow.
guffins fisherman
Not speaking from experience, but everything I have read is that the Etecs are lighter than 4 stroke, but still perform like one. I am sure someone will chime in to the good or the bad, but at least the conversation will be had. Just a thought.
Thun
Smallboat's dead on IMO. That Coast Guard capacity plate will tell you exactly how much weight, as well as maximum horse power your boat is rated for. Checking Starcraft's website, I see they have a 16.5 tin rated for 1100 lbs, not sure if your boat is similar but it wouldn't surprise me, if the boat is structurally sound.
jimski2
The newer boats for the four strokes have a wider beam and transom to support the heavier engines. moving your battery forward could help. Taking a swell over the stern could sink your boat in seconds so keep your stability safe. Be careful choosing a heavier motor than the boat is designed for.
