Can anyone tell me the penalty for loading a boat beyond the capacity detailed on the boats capacity plate? Ive read through the Boating Guide Book for 2017 and the only mention on it I can find says its “unlawful” but it makes no mention of the penalty. Thanks.
Weight or to many persons?
Weight or to many persons?
my understanding is that it amounts to the same violation. I believe the plate reads as an either or – either you are over the weight or over the individual limit (achieving both is obviously a possibility too). I could be wrong on this but that was my understanding.
It is actually a federal law, so you may need to contact the coast guard for full details.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=86B.311
http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/10/Public/Court_Administration/2015_DNR_Payables_List.pdf
It’s a misdemeanor and was $135 in 2015.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=86B.311
http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/10/Public/Court_Administration/2015_DNR_Payables_List.pdf
It’s a misdemeanor and was $135 in 2015.
Thank reef. that is the information I was looking for
Out watching fireworks on waconia I have been told to immediately go to shore and drop off as many people as I am over, never had them weight my boat on the lake. Just in the parking lot because my boat dealer put permanent tabs on a 4000 # boat, idiots, but I think that was another thread.
I’ve seen families of various ethnic backgrounds fill a jon boat to the point that there is literally no freeboard. When there is little kids involved on lakes that I know can get rough in a matter of minutes it really irritates me.
How do they get away with it on Swamp People? They overload on every episode
I have no idea why anyone would want to push that limit. In today’s “sue happy” society anything that falls outside of a stamp indicating max number of persons over so much weight and or total allowable weight is nothing but a subpoena waiting to be delivered if something serious goes amiss.
In my boat its me and maybe one other. And I am darned fussy about who that one other is.
I have no idea why anyone would want to push that limit. In today’s “sue happy” society anything that falls outside of a stamp indicating max number of persons over so much weight and or total allowable weight is nothing but a subpoena waiting to be delivered if something serious goes amiss.
In my boat its me and maybe one other. And I am darned fussy about who that one other is.
Some boats the numbers just don’t add up. 7 persons or 800# or something. I know my current boat is like this. See if I can check out when I’m home later.
But if you have a bigger boat, you get it for a reason, and we all know guidelines typically play it on the conservative side, alot. Yes safety of all involved is important, but like stated earlier, what if I bring all my niece and nephews out to watch the fireworks and way over that limit, but the boat can handle it more than fine…
Or if you bring all your nieces and nephews and you take a wave over the back and swamp the boat and kill someone.
All these warning labels applied on products are there for a reason. Those of us (including myself) who choose to ignore them better not come whining when something goes wrong.
Or if you bring all your nieces and nephews and you take a wave over the back and swamp the boat and kill someone.
All these warning labels applied on products are there for a reason. Those of us (including myself) who choose to ignore them better not come whining when something goes wrong.
Can you stop for a day or two? 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dutchboy wrote:</div>
Or if you bring all your nieces and nephews and you take a wave over the back and swamp the boat and kill someone.All these warning labels applied on products are there for a reason. Those of us (including myself) who choose to ignore them better not come whining when something goes wrong.
Can you stop for a day or two?
You ever over-load a boat and almost swamp it? I did. It had 2 little kids in that boat that might not have ever grown up. So no….when it comes to doing stupid stuff that endangers lives I won’t let up for a day or two. But you go ahead and be that guy.
Sorry I thought Munchy was this sites official devils advocate.
My bad.
Cmon Dutch, noone is saying to be irresponsible, Im simply saying those numbers are way on the safe side for certain vessels, and in certain situations.
Some boats the numbers just don’t add up. 7 persons or 800# or something. I know my current boat is like this. See if I can check out when I’m home later.
But if you have a bigger boat, you get it for a reason, and we all know guidelines typically play it on the conservative side, alot. Yes safety of all involved is important, but like stated earlier, what if I bring all my niece and nephews out to watch the fireworks and way over that limit, but the boat can handle it more than fine…
Without looking at my own boat I cannot be specific in the occupant/weight capacity relationship but those #’s may not be too far off. I could take 4 of my grandsons out with me and still be less weight than a couple 300 pound guys. True, the limits should be on the conservative side because as we know there are always some who will push the envelope.
overloadtheboat.png
I’m not arguing that. All i’m saying is have you ever taken the boat out on a flat calm day and have a sudden storm blow in. Now, over load the boat with people that likely includes kids. Is it possible to take a wave or series of waves over the back?
My point is, the placards are there for a reason. Whether we as boaters pay attention or ignore them is up to us. But if something goes wrong we have nobody to blame but ourselves.
I really don’t care how many people you or the OP pile in a boat, thats your business. But don’t try and justify it by saying nothing could ever happen or the ratings are bogus. All i’m asking is for everyone to be safe, especially if you have kids in the boat. They don’t have the option or experience about being smart about situations like i’m talking about.
Go out and have fun.
I’m not arguing that. All i’m saying is have you ever taken the boat out on a flat calm day and have a sudden storm blow in. Now, over load the boat with people that likely includes kids. Is it possible to take a wave or series of waves over the back?
My point is, the placards are there for a reason. Whether we as boaters pay attention or ignore them is up to us. But if something goes wrong we have nobody to blame but ourselves.
I really don’t care how many people you or the OP pile in a boat, thats your business. But don’t try and justify it by saying nothing could ever happen or the ratings are bogus. All i’m asking is for everyone to be safe, especially if you have kids in the boat. They don’t have the option or experience about being smart about situations like i’m talking about.
Go out and have fun.
If each child or those that cannot swim have on a PFD there is a 100 percent chance of survival.
What say you Munchy?
Not true. Get caught under, kid freaks out hitting water and instantly sucks in water, etc.etc.
I have to reduce my occupant load rating by one, I probably have 100 lbs of downrigger weights onboard. lol. BTW, when I bought my boat the weight and occupant load rating sticker was just that, a sticker. It faded and peeled off years ago. I couldn’t tell you what those numbers were now if my life depended on it. But I’m kind of like Tom and like to move around in my boat without bumping into people so 2 or 3 is my standard max of people weight.
Sorry I thought Munchy was this sites official devils advocate.
My bad.
What did I do?!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dutchboy wrote:</div>
I’m not arguing that. All i’m saying is have you ever taken the boat out on a flat calm day and have a sudden storm blow in. Now, over load the boat with people that likely includes kids. Is it possible to take a wave or series of waves over the back?My point is, the placards are there for a reason. Whether we as boaters pay attention or ignore them is up to us. But if something goes wrong we have nobody to blame but ourselves.
I really don’t care how many people you or the OP pile in a boat, thats your business. But don’t try and justify it by saying nothing could ever happen or the ratings are bogus. All i’m asking is for everyone to be safe, especially if you have kids in the boat. They don’t have the option or experience about being smart about situations like i’m talking about.
Go out and have fun.
If each child or those that cannot swim have on a PFD there is a 100 percent chance of survival.
What say you Munchy?
Seriously? What did I do that you keep calling me out?
I’m jealous Dutch and Munchy!!
I work hard at that title and bam, you take it away from me.
There’s a procedure (or formula) to come up with those placard numbers. Same with max hp rating. It’s not like someone pulls the numbers out of their butt.
Happy Easter all!
On a side note, some of my childhood memories involve overloading a canoe on a hot sunny day, swamping it and then trying to get it back.
In the 70s, it wasnt called unlawful, it was good clean fun.
To go into Canada on a canoe trip we had to paddle out into the middle of Sturgeon Lake, swamp the canoe and paddle in with our hands. Had to stay inside of the canoe…
Last two canoes in got to split a pile of iron wood. We were third to the last.
Good times! 
How do they get away with it on Swamp People? They overload on every episode
I’ve seen work boats the don’t come with a standard Coast Guard plate.
like previously mentioned weight would be way more important the number of persons. 4 150 lbs passengers would be better than 3 300 pounders.
not something I’d push the envelope on. waves, extra weight from gear. if you want to bring a giant crew snag a pontoon and “cruise the lake in comfort”
FYI apparently in 2010 the USCG raised the “person” weight to 185 pounds from what ever it was citing “Americans weigh more”.
FYI apparently in 2010 the USCG raised the “person” weight to 185 pounds from what ever it was citing “Americans weigh more”.
I believe that to be only for commercial passenger vessels such as ferries.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
