I have set sail for a few hours with 4 adults and 2 children. I knew in advance that the primary job of two adults at all times would be to watch conditions and keep the boat from heeling. Actual sail trim would be at a minimum. Two adults charged as vigilant sitters. I am still a novice so it took an inordinate amount of time to review emergency procedures, what was necessary to ensure the boat remained balanced, who would do what under a variety of circumstances, what would happen if behavioral issues surfaced and on and on and on. I would not consider more than people than that, nor any different ratio of adults to kids. A good time was had, though it was not a relaxed sail. If we repeated this a few times, I'm sure we'd be able to do more sailing and less logistics. Doubling that number on a boat with substantially less displacement, smaller cabin and cockpit than mine is unimaginable and not just as a matter of comfort. That means people are forced out along the toe rails to the bow, too many heads to watch on every tack, and needs a skipper who can keep the boat under control even when the balance shifts suddenly and significantly as an overloaded 27 will. Now as a means of population control . . . .
How many can be on boat?
- Thread starter Picflight
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Carrying 12 people will make the boat too crowded. Ideally you should take only 5 - 6 on board with you. You can divide the children in 2 groups and take each group for 2 hours each. Always remember safety comes first!
I would say 6 max adults and children with no less than 3 being adults. Hopefully at least one adult knowledgeable enough to help you sail. single handing with a cockpit full of people who don't know when and how to get out of the way is a pain. Someone is always sitting on the jib sheets or blocking the winches. Even If the passengers aren't going to help sail then they should at least have some of the maneuvers explained so they know when to duck or lean forward or just generally and safely get out of the way.
Here's a couple of pictures of what 6 adults in the cockpit for happy hour does to a Capri 22 wing keel (mine's the Capri 22 on the left). When I stepped aboard (7 now) we had water coming in the scuppers in the transom. While the boat never felt particularly unstable, we were in flat water at the dock and weren't moving around. No way I'd double that on a 27 or 28 footer and no way we'd have moved the boat with nearly that many people aboard.
About one more than that by the appearance.
A better option may be a pontoon "boat", ie: a pier with a motor..
NO: at least one of the five adults would realize what was going on before you got the door locked.
how many on a boat
BAD IDEA DONT DO IT Lets forget about sailing I wouldnt even allow that many people my boat tied to the mooring. Ive got a pearson 26w pretty much the same size as a catalina
27 I allow 4 on board rarely 5 Ive have about 50 years experience.
BAD IDEA DONT DO IT Lets forget about sailing I wouldnt even allow that many people my boat tied to the mooring. Ive got a pearson 26w pretty much the same size as a catalina
27 I allow 4 on board rarely 5 Ive have about 50 years experience.
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