I just purchased a 1984 "25" and need to know how many people it can legally carry or what total weight. I am new to sailing and am looking forward to learning what I should do.
Thanks, Al Cox
Thanks, Al Cox
How many on board or weight??
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I stopped at the new to sailing line........ with a 25, I would hope you'd stay with 2-3 until you are really comfortable with your boat and your skills. We recently had 6 on our cat.30 and we sail alot....... 2 were not sailors and it made it very crowded and difficult when heeling and tacking were involved. I think your question is much more loaded than you realize. take it slow....... be safe.
A 1984 probably does not have the label that new boats do. It would give a number of people, but that number is most likely there to limit the manufacturer's liability in case of a lawsuit. I can't see any weight capacity rating as being logical, as how would you weigh everything/everbody everytime you went out? Otherwise, there is a formula (that no one seems to know the origin of) length times beam divided by 15, the result being the number of people that COULD be on the boat, though probably not safely or likely.
OK, here's the answer. Length x width / 15. The answer is 15 people *legally*. Actually, that's a crazy number unless you're smuggling people from Richland County to Lexington County. Just make sure they're all wearing Coast Guard approved PFDs. My boat can *legally* carry 12 people. But in reality, 4 is the absolute most that is comfortable. 3 is even better.
Start slow and have fun.
Kermit
Start slow and have fun.
Kermit
So, using your formula my 40.5 can hold 32 people!!!!!
At 16" width per person that would be 42 feet of rail meat which works fine as I have 41 ft of toe rail and I can stand at the helm.
At 16" width per person that would be 42 feet of rail meat which works fine as I have 41 ft of toe rail and I can stand at the helm.
That's the formula that came from the ASA study book for Keelboat 101. I never said it's a great idea. In fact, I said it's crazy.
Kermit
"Never carry passengers without the water ballast tank filled."
Mac25 has no water ballast tank. It uses an iron swing keel with a winch underneath the companionway.
Mac25 has no water ballast tank. It uses an iron swing keel with a winch underneath the companionway.
I think there is a difference between what a boat can "legally" carry and what is safe. For those new to sailing, the best number is less, rather than more. People who don't sail have to be told where to sit, what to do, etc. and even compared to a new sailor, they require a lot of attention. As the skipper their safety is your primary concern and when the wind pipes up and things get more complex, the skipper's job becomes harder.
If you're going to motor over to a cove, drop anchor and swim, the situation may allow for a few extra people on board. Or, if it's light winds and easy sailing, you may feel comfortable with more people. Ultimately, it's up to the skipper to take conditions and skills into consideration because once people step onto your boat, they are your responsibility. My wife and I have conversations about this quite a bit. We love introducing friends to sailing, but with a small boat we are careful about minimizing the risks involved. More than four is pushing it for me, but I make exceptions if the people have sailed before, or if it's a couple of neighbor kids who we've taught to be safe on board. It may seem overly cautious, but I'm not a seasoned sailor and I try to stay within my skill level.
If you're going to motor over to a cove, drop anchor and swim, the situation may allow for a few extra people on board. Or, if it's light winds and easy sailing, you may feel comfortable with more people. Ultimately, it's up to the skipper to take conditions and skills into consideration because once people step onto your boat, they are your responsibility. My wife and I have conversations about this quite a bit. We love introducing friends to sailing, but with a small boat we are careful about minimizing the risks involved. More than four is pushing it for me, but I make exceptions if the people have sailed before, or if it's a couple of neighbor kids who we've taught to be safe on board. It may seem overly cautious, but I'm not a seasoned sailor and I try to stay within my skill level.
You never read about overly-cautious people in the news. Best to keep it that way. Use common sense. And *always* have all the required safety gear.
And this case ought to serve as a warning to sailors. Too many people, poorly maintained boat, not enough pfds.
That particular boat was also a MacGregor, but it was W/B.
Link
I couldn't help but shake my head when I heard a new member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary bragging on his new inflatable PFD. He said, "It'll be good to have so I can wear it when I'm out fishing by myself or something." He told us he doesn't wear any type of PFD when he's with someone because it's not required. I always wear mine. Just takes the trying-to-keep-your-head-above-water-when-you-fall-in issue out of the picture. And they are totally comfortable.
I think I'll detour ...
Ha,Ha, I was thinking the same thing Scott....... some things just keep making the rounds
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