Legal Operation
What does the capacity plate on a boat tell you?
Answer
The maximum number of people, maximum weight, and maximum engine power the boat is rated for
The capacity plate lists the maximum recommended persons, total weight, and engine horsepower for the boat in good weather. Exceeding these ratings makes the boat unstable and easier to swamp or capsize.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard / Office of the Federal Register — 33 CFR 183.23 and 183.25, Capacity marking required — https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-183.23
Not the answer
- The boat's top speed
- The fuel brand to use
- The year it was painted
Practice this
The boater safety certification exam is 50 questions and takes 40 correct — 80% — to pass. The app’s page carries a free ten-question test drawn from the same bank, marked as you go.
Take the free practice test