Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

[Susquehanna Squid]

My buddy is buying a boat and it looks like someone removed the Coast Guard Plate (weight/number of persons etc.). Does law require a boat to have one in order to be legal? He will most likely be putting in at state controlled/regulated launches in Central PA. By the way, the boat he is buying is 16 ft. w/ a 115 hp outboard in case that matters. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Thad]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

I am almost positive that the USCG requires all boats under 20 ft. to have a capacity plate. State laws may require more but I would start at the Coast Gaurds web site.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

depends on the state. Not ALL states require the plate. Some states have an interesting loophole in the law that if the plate is present, it is the law, but if there is no plate, then it is a judgement call.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

**deleted**

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

Thanks guys! It sounds like he needs to call the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

The CG started requiring the plates in 1972. Mine has never had one.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

I am almost positive that the USCG requires all boats under 20 ft. to have a capacity plate. State laws may require more but I would start at the Coast Gaurds web site.

You are correct.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/julqtr/pdf/33cfr183.25.pdf

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

Thanks guys! It sounds like he needs to call the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

Fish and Boat has been really helpful compared to many other states bureaucracy I've read about on here. That were great when I bought my boat and had no title or registration. My uncle acquired an old tinny with no plate and he supplied them with dimensions and they issued him a new capacity sticker. Give them a call.

 

[mmccoy555]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

The CG started requiring the plates in 1972. Mine has never had one.

My boat is a 72 and I have never had to have one either.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

So what should I do about mine, its a 73 and has a plate, but is not legible...

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

Again thanks guys! My buddy called the PA Fish and Boat Commission and they took care of him. And FYI, in PA anything under 20 feet needs one except for canoes, kayaks, pontoons, and non-powered sailboats.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

Sounds very much like the USCG regs:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/julqtr/pdf/33cfr183.23.pdf

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

Yup, individual states usually do use the USCG regs, verbatim.

As for older boats, you can sometimes get new placards from aftermarket sources, as ezmobee pointed out.

I have an old Glassmaster trihull, and have the same problem with legibility - I have the plate, but its not legible. What I do is to carry a printout copy of the plate that I found on the internet. I've only had one agency ask for it and they accepted the info. From a strict interpretation of the regs, they shouldn't have, but I guess I ended up dealing with a pragamatic person. That said, my boat is obviously underpowered (rated for 130hp and has 65hp) and has all the required safety gear, plus more. I also have a USCG courtesy inspection sticker on it.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Coast Guard Plate....LAW?

So what should I do about mine, its a 73 and has a plate, but is not legible...

Hey Andy in NY, check out my previous post for NY:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=317843

(BTW, I do my boating on Chazy Lake)