Peoples vs. Peoples/Gear weight limits?

[hostage]

I am looking at a boat and it has the same 1100lbs limit weight for peoples. Though mine has 1200lbs peoples/gear and this boat I am looking at has 1400lbs peoples/gear. Any idea why the people capacity is the same, but the gear is different? Thought it would be a constant ratio or something. Looking at moving from a Maxum 19ft cuddy to a SeaRay 20ft deckboat. Most deckboats seem to have more weight capacity, though this searay doesn't. Wondering if the less capacity is from the build quality.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Probably has more to do with when it was built... I am guessing the average weight of a person has gone up over the years.

In any case, the weight limit, not the number of people, is what you should follow.

 

[Scott Danforth]

You could have people weighing in at 400# or 40#

Which ever limit is hit first is the governing limit

 

[rallyart]

The weight limits might be different between boats because of hull shape. When designing boats they recognize that people move around and might all be on one side which would put that part of the hull low. Whatever limit you hit first is the limit, as Scott said.

 

[tpenfield]

When the boat manufacturer certifies the boat for weight/people limits it really depends on how well the boat floats under load. I cannot exactly recall the process that is used to certify the boat, but different boats of similar size may vary a bit in their numbers. It won't be a constant ratio as boat size increases.

If you want you could Google the USCG capacity certification/testing process.

 

[dingbat]

Capacity is based on a hull’s displacement minus the weight of the equipment (hull, motor, fuel, seating, etc.)

Displacement calculation

On-line Boat Design Calculators

On-line boat design calculators.

www.blueheronwings.com

 

[Stargazer1967]

In addition to what has been stated already, I would think that a cuddy would have a heavier dry weight than a deck so this could affect overall capacity of boat.