How many can be on boat?
- Thread starter Picflight
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It'll be crowded. There have been many discussions lately about how many on a boat is safe. The answers generally resolve themselves into basic common sense. The crew needs to run the boat - will the rest of the passengers be in the way? The conditions have to be calm for this trip, that amount of people on a boat that small will affect the trim. The knowledge of the skipper and crew aren't included in your question (and usually is minimal if the question is being asked in the first place). How do YOU define "coastal" - and four hours to Catalina (or back in a Santa Anna) is quite different than a motor from Ventura to Long Beach.
Short answer - no. Longer answer - maybe, if...
Four to six people race on my boat comfortably, but they all know what is required. I also feel that for a cruise, four is "crowded" to me.
Your boat, your choice. But I wouldn't.
Short answer - no. Longer answer - maybe, if...
Four to six people race on my boat comfortably, but they all know what is required. I also feel that for a cruise, four is "crowded" to me.
Your boat, your choice. But I wouldn't.
Searching for your 1st boat with 12 on board for a coastal jaunt?!?!? Absolutely a very, very bad idea.
Do the right thing for the kids and don't involve them if this is a crew of inexperienced adults. I can't imagine that any experienced adult would agree to participate with that kind of crowd on board.
Obviously you haven't filled in the details, but at first glance I would say that you, your spouse and an experienced sailor or 2 to show you the ropes would be a better way to gain experience. With a little experience, you will know that 12 on board a boat that size will never be a good idea.
Do the right thing for the kids and don't involve them if this is a crew of inexperienced adults. I can't imagine that any experienced adult would agree to participate with that kind of crowd on board.
Obviously you haven't filled in the details, but at first glance I would say that you, your spouse and an experienced sailor or 2 to show you the ropes would be a better way to gain experience. With a little experience, you will know that 12 on board a boat that size will never be a good idea.
I second Stu. Two years ago there way a terrible accident resulting in 2 persons drowning in San Diego when 9 were on board a McGregor for a daysail. That being said, I have a 34 and every year I have a "family outing". This Friday there will be 10 of us on my boat, all adults except a 13 years old teenager. Of course pfd's for everyone. The program is short and simple since I am the only one with experience: we will sail for about 1 to 1 1/2 hour (conditions permitting in view of lack of experience of visitors), then drop the hook in a shallow bay where they all can go for a swim while I watch like a hawk and keep counting the heads. Nice leasurely lunch while they enjoy the sun, then Mid to late afternoon we sail back to my club, again based on weather conditions. At the end of the day, the family goes aways happy taling about "next year" and while also happy I'm tired for the stress. Big caveat here: I am on a lake and help is a short distance away. Would I do it when I sail on the ocean, even a coastal passage ? No, I would not take that chance. To quote Stu, Your boat, your choice, but the smart move is not to do it.
PicFlight;
You have been given good advice. In addition, I have always suggested that the first boat should be for family only and not for the neighborhood. Heed to what everyone says as you will be stumbling over everyone to include sailing the boat and the probability of someone getting hurt will be much greater.
crazy dave condon (former sailboat dealer)
You have been given good advice. In addition, I have always suggested that the first boat should be for family only and not for the neighborhood. Heed to what everyone says as you will be stumbling over everyone to include sailing the boat and the probability of someone getting hurt will be much greater.
crazy dave condon (former sailboat dealer)
Pic: I hope you don't take this as an indictment of your intelligence, but if you were even considering having 12 people aboard a boat that size while sailing, it just shows that you don't have enough experience to make that kind of voyage. A crew of six expert sailors on a boat that size could probably stay out of each other's way and safely sail; 12 would be spending all of their time trying to figure out where to go so that they are safe and not in the way.
I applaud you for assuming that all need pfd's, and for asking the question in the first place. You as skipper are responsible for everyone's safety. But if you don't have enough sailing experience to know that 12 people on a boat that size can be very dangerous (not to mention just uncomfortable and annoying for those who will be constantly in the way), then you need more time on the water before you undertake something like that.
I applaud you for assuming that all need pfd's, and for asking the question in the first place. You as skipper are responsible for everyone's safety. But if you don't have enough sailing experience to know that 12 people on a boat that size can be very dangerous (not to mention just uncomfortable and annoying for those who will be constantly in the way), then you need more time on the water before you undertake something like that.
There was a tragedy here on LI at a fireworks show last year. It was a powerboat and loaded with over 20 people as I remember. It turned over and several died including children. Does this sound like anything you want be be involved in?
This incident sparked new legislation to require licensure for boat operators in Suffolk County. While you proposal is less egregious, the same element of wanting to be a good guy and not leave anyone home is at play, in my judgement. To operate safely you have to be able to say "No". You just have to. Scale this back in my opinion. Short harbor cruise or less people.
This incident sparked new legislation to require licensure for boat operators in Suffolk County. While you proposal is less egregious, the same element of wanting to be a good guy and not leave anyone home is at play, in my judgement. To operate safely you have to be able to say "No". You just have to. Scale this back in my opinion. Short harbor cruise or less people.
Don't listen to those other scaredy-cats. There is nothing wrong or unsafe about 12 people on a 27-foot boat. Oh, one other thing... Don't even CONSIDER untying the mooring lines or leaving the dock with that many people on board. Taking 12 people on a 27-foot boat into open water would be criminally unsafe!
We have a 36' footer and were at our "max capacity" last weekend with three adults and three children.
12 people on a 27', IMHO, is a tragedy waiting to happen. As has been said a 27' boat is okay for a family of three to four but not much else. Unless you are racing with a very experienced crew two adults and two kids would be my personal limit. A 27' boats gets really small and really unsafe quickly when you turn it into a clown car.....
12 people on a 27', IMHO, is a tragedy waiting to happen. As has been said a 27' boat is okay for a family of three to four but not much else. Unless you are racing with a very experienced crew two adults and two kids would be my personal limit. A 27' boats gets really small and really unsafe quickly when you turn it into a clown car.....
I've had 4 adults and 4 small children (2-6 years old) on my Venture 25 in calm to moderate weather in Buzzard's Bay and Narragansett bay, and I would consider that an absolute maximum. It was a bit crowded, to say the least!
My first impression is to many children to worry about. I know by experience they get bored in 15 minutes of sailing and then resort to going up and down the companionway with or without their mothers behind them. It is not fun for the mothers, nor the kids nor your nerves. That boat will instantly shrink to an unbearable 4 hour trap. Just come up with a different mode of transportation for the mothers and kids and they will appreciate it more.
Hey,
12 people for a 4 hour sailing trip - no way.
12 people to motor 30 minutes, maybe - if the weather was calm.
I had 12 people on my 35' boat to watch a firework show. Calm conditions, motor 15 minutes, anchor for 3 hours, motor back. It was crowded but fine. I would not take that many on a 30 or under boat.
Barry
12 people for a 4 hour sailing trip - no way.
12 people to motor 30 minutes, maybe - if the weather was calm.
I had 12 people on my 35' boat to watch a firework show. Calm conditions, motor 15 minutes, anchor for 3 hours, motor back. It was crowded but fine. I would not take that many on a 30 or under boat.
Barry
I've got a H30 and the most I've had on board was 7. In my eyes that was too crowded. I was comfortable with that many on board, but it's hard to opperate. I'm a little spoiled though, most of the time it's the Admiral and I. On a crowded day there's also the swab and her boyfriend.
I have had four kids under ten and four adults on my boat. Inland lake with light winds and it worked out because a) my kids told the other two kids where to be on the boat in order to stay out of the way, and b) most of the time that meant keeping them below, drawing and playing games.
So, if you have most of these kids below and they don't take up much room then maybe you won't be all knees and elbows, but it still just seems like a large number of people to keep track of to me. I'd be most worried about that, more than the potential for capsize.
So, if you have most of these kids below and they don't take up much room then maybe you won't be all knees and elbows, but it still just seems like a large number of people to keep track of to me. I'd be most worried about that, more than the potential for capsize.
Six adults on an Oday 27 which is in the same category as your Catalina is mighty snug. Only two were first time on a sailboat. This was only a 2 hour daysail with 4 being regular crew including me. 12, I can't imagine. I agree with everybody else, don't do it.
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