Maximum Capacities

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glocke17

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Mar 23, 2010
5
Venture 25 NV, CA
I'm just about finished restoring my 71 Venture 224. Someone asked me how many people can I take? I've discovered that boats manufactured after 72 have a max capacity plate. I found a Coast Guard formula # people = length in feet x width in feet / 15.
On my Venture that would be 12 or 1500 lbs. Sound right? And of course that 1500 lbs includes gear and the motor so I'm thinking 6 or 7 people as thats really all the space there is.
So am I close?
 
OldCat

OldCat

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Jul 26, 2005
728
Catalina , Nacra 5.8, Laser, Hobie Hawk Wonmop, CO
glocke17 said:
I'm just about finished restoring my 71 Venture 224. Someone asked me how many people can I take? I've discovered that boats manufactured after 72 have a max capacity plate. I found a Coast Guard formula # people = length in feet x width in feet / 15.
On my Venture that would be 12 or 1500 lbs. Sound right? And of course that 1500 lbs includes gear and the motor so I'm thinking 6 or 7 people as thats really all the space there is.
So am I close?
Click to expand
I think the capacity plate only applies to power boats, or dinghy-like craft. Even if it applies to the sail boat, the safe number will be less because of cockpit size and the need to be able to operate the boat, lines and sheets, in a crowded cockpit. Even if just motoring, the cockpit seating is likely to be a limiting factor, can you imagine a bunch of folks on deck who all went to one side at once?:eek: Generally, I doubt that the CG numbers apply to people standing in a small boat, which they might do out of the cockpit. Also, 'gunwale' riding is not generally legal on a power boat, which a sail boat is if the motor is running. The only 'out of cockpit' permission that I know of under power is for crew operating the boat, such as raising or lowering sail. 'Gunwale Riding' is only OK for rail meat under sail as far as I can tell.

For example, I think that I would limit my Catalina 22, similar in size to your boat, to 5 or so for sailing, and 6-7 if only motoring. Others may have a different 'number', but that is all that I would feel comfortable with. Under sail, remember that the crew becomes a larger proportion of the ballast as the weight of the crew goes up. I know of a local sailing instructor who once sank a J22 when two heavy students refused to move in a tack...

OC
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
ok---if you cannot use the tiller/wheel in the cockpit because of obstructions--you are there

if you have 3 inches of freeboard left---you may still accept one skinny one more..BAIL at 2 inches....or when feet wet.....(make sure bucket is available for bailing)..

if water comes over the bow when you are sailing and the seas are dead flat......:eek:then you are past the max number for sailing....
 
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Timo42

Timo42

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Mar 26, 2007
1,042
Venture 22 Marina del Rey
You won't have much fun with more than 4 people on board unless you have some who never leave the cabin.
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
more seriously than my last post--when ever i am asked how many people my formosa 41 sleeps, i usually answer "1"
when they ask how big a crew i can use--i say 6--even tho i can sleep8 doesnt mean i HAVE to-- and sailing a small lil cute boat like that one you have is better with only one other than you---but 3-4 could be comfortable--it basically depends on where yur comfort level is as re boundaries--gets tight in a 30 ft boat with 4 on board--~~~~~~_/)~~~~~~~


besides, the smaller the group, the more special each feels, and the more sailing you get to do !!!!!
 
OldCat

OldCat

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Jul 26, 2005
728
Catalina , Nacra 5.8, Laser, Hobie Hawk Wonmop, CO
zeehag said:
more seriously than my last post--when ever i am asked how many people my formosa 41 sleeps, i usually answer "1"
when they ask how big a crew i can use--i say 6--even tho i can sleep8 doesnt mean i HAVE to-- and sailing a small lil cute boat like that one you have is better with only one other than you---but 3-4 could be comfortable--it basically depends on where yur comfort level is as re boundaries--gets tight in a 30 ft boat with 4 on board--~~~~~~_/)~~~~~~~


besides, the smaller the group, the more special each feels, and the more sailing you get to do !!!!!
Click to expand
4 tight on a 30' boat? For a cruise, yes, but generally not for a day sail. I took the OP question as day sailing, Yeah, I don't think that I'd like to sleep more than 2 on a 22' boat, though some do it.

OC
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Four is doable but crowded. Sleeping three is comfortable. 2 in the V-birth and one on the bench. If they are able to help then that's a plus. Sometimes even with just one other pasenger it can get crowed. I was out with my wife yesterday an I could tell she was a little put out when asked to move because she was sittng on the sheets.
 
sinnettc

sinnettc

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May 23, 2007
1,306
Catalina Capri 22 Albany, Oregon
According to the formula my Capri 22 has a capacity of 11 or 12 depending on whether you measure LOD or LWL. I think we've had 7 (4 adults, 3 kids) out but there's no way we could ever get 11 people aboard. The sailing was pretty sluggish with the 7 aboard, let alone with 11!
 
Lee Coller

Lee Coller

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Oct 22, 2005
257
Hunter 44DS Redondo Beach, CA
Wow, my hunter 44DS (14.5' beam) has a capacity of 41 by that formula. I don't think so. I once took out 13, it was quite crowded.
 
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luis.stevens

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Jun 26, 2010
6
ARIES Bimini 2000
3-4 people sounds like a comfortable limit if you plan to sleep them on your boat; for a day sail I’d say 7-8?
 
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