If a boat says 8 people or 2000 pounds. Does that mean they can have 10 people in boat if I don't go over the

Question

My friend just got a boat, and they asked me this question and all I could tell them was I think eight is the limit?

I cant imagine having 10 people on OUR boat let alone there smaller one lol

Answer 1

There is probably only enough safety devices to accommodate 8 people (life jackets).  The 2000 lb limit is the weight at which the boat may sink.

Answer 2

if u have more than 8 ppl but it equals 2000 pounds...the main concern is to keep everyone blanced across the boat bc it could make the boat flip or be very hard to drive it going down the river.

Answer 3

yes that means that you can have 20 people but  the total weight cannot be over  2000 lbs

Answer 4

Hi!

Strictly speaking and I mean strictly speaking!

It means eight people - no more.

It also means 2000 pounds maximum weight - this is people PLUS equipment.

In other words, if you have six people and all your necessary gear and you are weighing in at 2000 pounds, then you cannot have anyone else on board.

Having said all that, I suggest that this "rule" is tempered with some common sense. If you don't have enough lifejackets, liferafts, water, food , weather proof and warm clothing for eight, then just take two (or whatever) on the passage.

Bear in mind too that a lot of rules exist to protect manufacturers from stupid customers or insurance companies from having to pay out....get the picture?

I sail alone - all the time - I prefer it. But  I have had 14 people speaking three different languages on my boat at an anchorage before now!!

The important thing is to enjoy being on the water

Answer 5

NO.  It means 8 people OR 2000 pounds - which ever is less.

In safety issues, always take the conservative approach.

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The reason the put EIGHT people is because you can't alway know exactly how much people weight. So they are being safe and not saying 10 (200 pound each) or 12, etc.

The 2000 pound is for when you are carrying objects.

When carrying people, you have to be EXTRA careful because you are dealing with lives - not just commodity.

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Always BETTER SAFE than sorry.

Good Luck...

Answer 6

That is correct, most boats are tested on weight limit it takes for them to sink.

Answer 7

the 8 limit just means itll be crowded over that most likely..but i would be pretty careful with that 2000. thats what u need to look out for

Answer 8

In reality you could pull it off as long as you are careful and all fit with enough room to operate properly, but if you run into any lake patrol or coast guard they legally can ticket you for exceeding the people limit.

Answer 9

No, it means it can have up to eight people, and those eight people cannot exceed two thousand pounds. For example, if five people weigh five hundred pounds, you can only put them in, because that's already two thousand pounds, the maximum. If you have ten people who all weigh one hundred pounds, you can only put eight in because that's already eight people, the maximum.

Answer 10

Eight people means eight people.  There is a reason for limiting the number of people per boat and that is SAFETY.  If the U.S. Coast Guard were to stop them and they had ten people aboard, they could be sited and rightfully so.  They would be over the limit.  What 8 people or 2000 pounds means is that those 8 people should not have a combined weight of over 2000 pounds.  You were very right in your answer to them, but you did not go far enough to stress safety.

Answer 11

Reread the plate or sticker It reads 8 person & a total of 2000 lbs including equipment & gear> Coolers food>Might include fuel & water also>

Answer 12

I work for the agency that rates these.  It means 8 people maximum. Never more than 8 even if they don't weigh 2000 pounds combined.

2000 pounds means everything in the boat including people and gear.

For example you have 6 people at 200 pounds = 1200 pounds and then add camping gear and coolers that weigh over 800 pounds you are illegal and subject to citation.

if you have 9 people including gear is less than 2000 it is still illegal.

Answer 13

Geoff is correct.....8 people max is 8 PEOPLE MAX!!!  At the same time you must be at or under 2000 lbs.  You cannot violate either guideline.  You must adhere to BOTH!!

I don't understand why this (apparently, by the answers provided) is so difficult for people to understand.  I give you credit for asking, but everyone who answered incorrectly should stay the h--- off the water!!!

Answer 14

They mean 8 people.

But it's really more like a general suggestion than actual rule.

Note that if a lake patrol or game warden thinks you're overloaded, he'll write you up regardless of what the rating plate says.