"How Many People Can Fit in a Boat?"

» barrie - Hi Capt. Matt

Hi Capt.
I am having a problem understanding the table you supplied for load capacities for small boats. My 14’ x 4.5 Mirocraft aluminum runabout gives me a factor of 63. Where do I go from here?

We live on Reid Island, a remote island in the Gulf Islands, off the BC South Coast. The boat in question is our utility craft for hauling freight and people from neighboring islands and to & from our 24’ Zeta (which we commute from Vancouver in) to shore. Since we acquired the (used from the Department of Forestry) boat in 1982 we have had power on it from 9.9 HP to the current Yamaha 30 HP.

The Yamaha is by far the best Out Board we have had. We purchased it in 1988. Along with being underwater 3 times it has several thousand hours of hard duty on it and it still runs great. Good design, the auto-oilier and lots of use seems to be the answer to 2-cycle motors running well.

The lawmakers here in Canada are revving their motors regarding licensing boat operators and we expect they will come up with a plan within the next year or so.

Regards

-- posted by barrie

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» captmatt - Outboard

Barrie,

As you may have noticed, the horsepower rating is exponentially increase as the length X width factor increases. We don't have a chart that goes further than what is listed but my guess is that you are at the limit with the 30 HP motor. Since it appears that you are operating commercially you are probably aware of what works best for you.

I believe the Canadian Coast Guard has already implemented a new boating safety law. By September 15, 1999, operators under 16 years of age will require proof of operator competency. By September 15, 2002, this requirement will be extended to operators of power boats less than 4 metres in length, as well as all personal watercraft. By September 15, 2009, proof of competency will be required for all power boat operators.

Capt Matt

-- posted by captmatt

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» barrie - Thanks Capt.

Matt
Our Coast Guard has had its budgets cut over the past few years to the extent that they are de-manning Lighthouses across Canada. And in recent years they will only respond to distress calls where personal safety is at risk. Private enterprise (Sea Tow etc.) and “Mariners in the area” are asked to assist in the cases of mechanical breakdowns or lack of fuel. Gone are the days that the Coast Guard is at the Mariner’s beckoned call

I wonder who will police these new rules we are speaking of?

The buzzing about of the skidoos on water seems to have people concerned and with good reason. But the level of seamanship and knowledge within the recreational boating population overall is nowhere near what it should be. This is not a new problem but one that should be of greater concern as the size of the fleet increases. The boats today are bigger, faster and better equipped including their bars. The ports are more congested and the exposure to accidents is on the rise.

We are on the water 12 months a year and offer assistance when necessary. It never ends to amaze me how many recreational boaters we come to the aid of do not have a basic understanding of the skills needed to travel safely on the water.

In my opinion hacking away at the Coast Guard’s budgets is counter productive to the upgrading of the recreational boater’s skill level and knowledge base. Laws, rules and licensing without the infrastructure to instruct, test and police will be very little more than just another level of taxation.

Boy am I ever happy to get this off my chest.

Regards

-- posted by barrie

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