Maximum number of people for 30 footer

[John F]

We're having a boat party at our dock in a few weeks. 11 people total. If the weather's nice, I'd like to take everyone for a sail on our 30' (Newport).Would this be too many people for safety's sake? I am a cautious sailor, so I know this might be pushing it. (If we do it, I'd ensure we have enough lifevests).Thoughts anyone?Thanks.

 

[Ross]

Are you ready to load one ton of movable cargo

onto the deck of your boat and then go outside the harbor. I weigh 160 pounds and if I hang onto the shrouds and lean way out I can heel my Islander 30 about 5 degrees. You can do the arithmetic but at least 5 people should be sitting on the cabin floor and 1 or 2 in the cockpit and the rest settled on one side of the deck or the other in equal numbers.

 

[Fred]

It will be crowded, but you can do it.

I'm not sure I would try it. Folks will be stuck in one place or crowding past each other. You should probably just use the jib. Don't even take the cover off the main. You will need to direct folks to move so the boat is nearly flat.The big danger is if a dolphin or young woman in a bathing suit (depending on your guests) comes into view and everybody rushes to one side of the boat. It won't tip right over, but it might tip enough to dump some of the guests who will neccesarily be out on the forward deck.Do you have enough life jackets? Be sure your safety equipment is up to date. A crowd like that is asking for attention from the Coast Guard or whoever does boardings where you sail.

 

[Ross]

You will resemble a Haitian refugee boat

Sometimes one of those hits the news. Capsized with fifty people on board.

 

[CalebD]

Some racing boats carry more crew than that

but they are all trained crew and know the ropes (er, lines). That said, you need to figure out the landlubber quotient of the folks you intend to take out. I would want to have at least a few experienced sailors along to help out at a minimum. If the landlubber quotient is high you might consider motoring out and mostly doing beam reaches to keep the boat flatter and more comfortable for the crowd.Ditto what Fred said about the CG.Have fun and be safe.

 

[higgs]

I'm close!

Got room for a couple more?

 

[Benny]

Yes, no and yes.

The boat can handle it, don't know about your guests. Tied at the dock should not be a problem but getting underway would be hazardous. Advice non boating guests about wearing propers shoes. Them spiked heels will not work on the deck. Give them the 10 second tour about proper operation of the head and about keeping one hand for themselves and the other for their drink. At the dock you won't need a hand for the boat. If you do decide to go out understand the boat will perform very sluggish and that you will probably be drawing at least 1 foot more of water. An MOB would be my most concern.

 

[letterman]

what he he___

Came upon a sight I will never forget. Winds building up from 5 knots....climbing steady to 32...I am starting to get worried...we come under the Peake bridge and wow!! I counted 60 some sailboats...One went by us...big sucker...bout 45 feet or maybe 50...old woodie...must have been about 25 people on board hanging off the high side...with smiles like they just went down the big hill of any coaster at Cedar Point...or maybe it was a toothpaste commercial!!However, some people don't do well sailing. All those people above were from THE local sailing pub (we met them that night) and all were sailors. I took a crew out, like you are asking, in a similar circumstances to what you are saying. Then one guest decided to feed the fishes. Think puker, and then people that puke hearing pukers. Had almost half the guests over the rail barfing. Pass on the sailing, drink up and party at the dock. Sail another day.

 

[Alan]

Reminds me...

....of a group photo that was taken at our clubs rendezvous in Newport, RI. a number of years ago. We had about 50 people standing and sitting on a Hunter 35.5 for a group photo shoot. The boat handled the weight just fine but the floating docks sank as everyone disembarked. To answer your question, yes the boat will handle 11 people with no trouble at all. You may have elbow room issues but stability will not be one.

 

[GuyT]

You'll be too stressed John.

Why dont you make two trips - that way you can pump out your holding tank in-between. All those coctails need to go somewhere!Cheers!

 

[newly anonymous]

simple solution

Don't call it a "boat party." Call it a "dock party" instead.

 

[Al]

Me too

Huh? there is a formula for just this question, it's Lenght x Beam divided by 15 = # allowable bodies on a boat. Just make sure your holding tank is empty before you go out. Stay behind the wall for the first run to make sure all the pukers are cleaned out then make the bell bouy. Have fun!

 

[Dave C20469]

Al - I think that formula is a bit off

Al,I saw that formula on the BoatUS site - but that would mean 'allowable' bodies on my P303 is somewhere around 22 (!!?) I'm not sure I could even get that many onboard, unless I had them lining the entire rail and we had a 40 knot wind to keep the boat level! Maybe that formula is more for power boats (?) My capacity plate (yep, even though I'm over 20' I have one) says 8 bodies/1200 pounds. While that is not a federal law, it is looked at by the USCG and our local sheriff if they think a boat is overloaded. Dave

 

[Ross]

That formula allows me twenty people.

Allowing 175 pounds each I get 3500 pounds. That will increase my draft by at least 6 inches if it is uniformly distributed. One of the most frequent causes of shipping disasters is having the cargo shift.

 

[RAD]

That formula allows me twenty two people

On my 32 ODay and I'm with every one else the max I would have is maybe 8 and that would be tight in the cockpit.I'd sure like to know if there is a max capacity for my boat

 

[Ken13531]

try a golf sail

My admiral is organising a similiar party in a couple of weeks.She has organised 2 tee off times at a local golf course. It is a 5 minute drive from the dock.4 boys will go golfing while I sail with 4 girls, then we switch.I get to sail both times. (I will golf when I have not got enough sailing to do and that never happens.)We will all be at the boat for a dock/boat party.I am looking forward to it.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Total Insanity

First off, 11 people would barely fit on the boat at the dock, not to mention moving around. Taking the boat out would be absolute insanity. The only thing that would prevent you from sailing under those unsafe conditions is that it would be a major feat just to get everyone to move into the right position to raise the sails. Your displacement is probably about 8500 lbs. and you will be adding almost 1900 to 2000 lbs more in people weight. Oh well. Tony B

 

[John24107]

Invite a neighbor

Maybe if you invited a neighbor at the marina, you know, the kind with another boat, when the time came for sailing, divide the group and race!

 

[LJK]

H31

On our H31 we had 12 people with little issue. Only ran the head sail in light winds but was a family event that all wanted part of.5 in the cockpit.... easy, do that all the time.7 on deck enjoying the sun.... it was less clutered than I thought it was going to be. (the head comment is correct.... one head, 11 beer drinkers ends up leading to peeing off the side)Would we have took this many in 20Kt winds NO!Did we have 12 PFD's on board... NO, we had to borrow 2 from another boat.Someone stated on here that beam*LOA/15 is the rule.... A dockmaster once told me it's beam*waterline/15. ether calculation gives you a number over 20.Could I fit 10 below deck and 10 above... yepper, but would never ever do it.Fair winds and calm seas to all!