Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

[CaptainT16]

I have searched the forum on this topic and have received a little help. I have a 1977 Lund 14' fishing boat. There is no capacity place for it. I tried calling them with not much help at all other then they wouldn't be able to get a new one for it. I tried doing some searching and located Custommarinelabels. Unfortunately I just placed my second order through them and have not received one label even after emailing him and ordering a second one just to be safe, well $20.00 and still no labels. I just wondered if there might be any further options on what to do to get a capacity plate? In KS we are required to have one and so far I've been lucky I guess. I never do overload my boat by any means, so I've been safe. I just want to make sure to get one. I did email the coast guard and I've figured out what the capacity on weight and engine HP is, I just need to find out a way to get this information onto a sticker or plate. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, TW

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

You are on this forum so obviously you have a computer and most surely have a color printer.

I am not a lawyer so take this opinion for what it is worth: what you paid for it.

You are not trying to commit fraud or an illegal act by making your own capacity plate with the manufacturers specs. You are just doing what the manufacturer does in a different way.

Here in Pennsylvania the regs state that a boat must have a capacity plate, but they do not specify that it must be attached by the manufacturer. In fact, The PA Fish and Game will make you a plate after you fill out the proper papers with hull material and dimensions. Oh, Yeah---You also need to pay the fee. The only problem is that they tend to be more conservative than the manufacturer.

I made my own capacity plate by using another from a different hull as a template. Then in word, I played with font type and size, background color, border color and type. I included all pertinent information that the manufacturer would. I did not have any Avery labels so I printed mine on plain paper and sealed it in plastic, the corners of which were used to attach it. If I must say so, it looked professional and only took me a couple of hours total.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

I did not have any Avery labels so I printed mine on plain paper and sealed it in plastic, the corners of which were used to attach it. If I must say so, it looked professional and only took me a couple of hours total.

Not a bad idea......I wonder if you could use photo paper then have it laminated? My bass boat still has the plate but it is rough looking, the other boats I own (all projects) need capacity plates.

I was thinking along the lines of an aluminum plate and an engraver, my brother's boat has a capacity plate made this way. My father has a special bit set that you use to tap the letters into (I imagine) tools and other types of metals, using these would make a professional looking plate I believe.

Just thought of another idea, take a light scribe CD and type in all the information and let the light scribe burn the information onto the CD and use the CD as the capacity plate after sealing it some how. Far fetched but plausible. Actually it's a crazy idea isn't it?

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

Being the OEM for one of a kind, I went down to the local trophy shop and had a brass sheet engraved with the needed information. A 4" by 4" plate with 67 charactors engraved on it was just $13. It is a nice looking information plate that has withstood many storms, salt and fresh water sailing and a few road trips.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

I have the original, aluminum capacity plate for my boat but it is illegible. I emailed Glassmaster and they didn't even reply. After surfing the net for a week or so, I found an image of the plate for my boat and printed it out. It is now in a ziplock bag in my glovebox, along with my registration.

Louisiana doesn't require the plate as far as I know and I have never had Wildlife & Fisheries ask for one, nor have I ever had a Parish marine patrol ask for one. What most of the officials around my part of the world do is to simply look to see if you have a current decal next to your registration numbers. If you do, they do the usual PFD check, ask if you have caught any fish, check you for limits, and go about their business.

I didn't have anything in the way of capacity information in the boat the last time I had a USCG Auxilliary courtesy inspection. They did ask where the plate was but didn't get upset when I told them that I took it off of the boat because you couldn't read anything on it anyway. They also gave me my Vessel Safety Check sticker with no problem. I need to get the boat inspected for 2008 so I'll report back on what they say about my paper capacity "plate."

 

[CaptainT16]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know if you took a picture of a what a normal capacity plate looks like to a screenprinting place if they can make a plate? Legalities wise, I'm not sure how that works? Thanks for the help!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

here you go custommarinelabels.com

 

[CaptainT16]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

Unfortunately I've ordered two plates from CustomeMarine and have not received one! I've tried emailing as that is the only way to contact them and I've never received anything back? Anybody know of any other way to contact them by any chance? I've paid for them, I would like to receive one of them? Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

david is usually much better than that. i sent him and email with a link to this post. hopefully he will correct your order.

 

[CaptainT16]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

That would be great! Thanks again for your help!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

Sorry, I got an auto message back that his mailbox is full. i have no idea what is going on. will try to find out.

 

[CaptainT16]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

Yeah, that is the same thing I got back the other day as well? I did send another email, but haven't received anything back saying it was full? I'm not sure? Thanks for you help!

 

[CaptainT16]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

Anyone know of any further options for getting a capacity plate made? Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

email, sales@uletterit.com attach a copy of the plate in the post upabove. he may be able to make one,

 

[oops!]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

i really like the brass plate idea...clean, nice lookin,

 

[CaptainT16]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

Thanks Tashasdaddy. I will do that. Thank you again for your help on this!

 

[slimpickens]

Re: Replacing Boat Capacity Plate?

Check out this adobe file it has all the OFFICIAL COST GUARD REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR LABEL AND PLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS. Now if anybody has or can help me find the capacity info for a 95 v180b Procraft PLEASE let me know. Thanks. If you can make a plate that meets the specs listed in the file and it will withstand the elements it should be legal. Color and size is key though. The details start about page 41
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boatbuilder/downloads/SAFELOADING.pdf