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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-capacity-plate-under-20-feet

Federal capacity plate rules cover which boats?

Monohull boats under 20 feet, with some exceptions.

  1. All boats over 26 feet
  2. Only sailboats and kayaks
  3. Monohull boats under 20 feet ✔

Why: 33 CFR 183 requires capacity markings on monohull boats under 20 feet, except sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatables. The plate shows maximum persons, maximum weight and maximum horsepower.

Huh, didn't know that: For a boat with no plate, the guide's rough rule is length times width divided by 15 for the number of 150 pound people.

The dad joke
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Sources

  1. 33 CFR 183.21 Applicability, capacity markings (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-183.21
  2. 33 CFR 183.23 Capacity marking required (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-183.23

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