Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

So our new toon is rated for 16 people (not sure the weight limit). The deck is actually 24 feet but is considered a 22 foot boat and this weekend we will have a large crowd. 10 adults and two children, do you think we are pushing the limits? Only a 150 hp on this thing so I would imagine I am not getting any quicker than 18-20 mph

how fat are your friends? how many coolers packed with ice and adult beverages?

i'd be more concerned about total weight; you know you've got the number of people covered...

always remember... you're the captain. fully responsible for your passengers. feel free to move them about on the boat, to equalize the weight... and, feel free to exercise any good judgement.... if the ladies leave their tops in their cars, it will make the load lighter.

PlaynDoc wrote:how fat are your friends?.... if the ladies leave their tops in their cars, it will make the load lighter.

Depending on the lady, the weight savings could be significant...

I watched one fellow proceed to load his 18 foot pontoon with about 12 people. I believe that was the rated capacity. Being in the south I think those numbers should actually be revised by about .076 to account for the good cooking found here. Anyway... as they loaded up and shifted around trying to find the best seat you could see the freeboard quickly reducing until there was more log under than above the water. Fortunately there was a TWRA boat sitting out in the channel and lit him up right away, before anything bad could happen.

I'm with PlaynDoc... You're completely in charge, keep it safe.

I had 13 adults on mine one Fourth of July, and she did just fine. However, conditions were calm. I think lake conditions should always be a factor when deciding how much to load the boat. Also, make sure you have enough life jackets for everyone.

Also don't forget the additional life jackets -- appropriately sized (adults / kids).

I have never had more than 12 on my full length 24. I have always been fine. +1 on the jackets! My new captains chair cooler sure helps even out the weight on mine most of the beverages offset the fuel and port side seats!

I'll never forget watching this boat settle in for a fireworks display. I considered the boat a bit overloaded myself, but the DNR and Coast Guard were everywhere at the site and none of them even bothered to check him.

In my opinion a lot of it depends on the lake conditions. That being said you should be fine just make sure you even out the weight as much as possible. When we have larger crowds on my 24'6" boat i put the majority of the adults towards the back of the boat and am not afraid to tell them to switch sides in order to distribute the weight. For your own safety tell the other men on the boat to move, women dont seem to like "hey lady, could you move to this side of the boat we have too much weight on that side".

I have a new tritoon and it is only rated for 12 people. My old Crest which was one foot shorter (22ft) and only 2 toons was rated for 13 people. I don't understand the rating process sometimes. Nothing will ever beat just GOOD OLE COMMON SENSE.

rhorne wrote:I have a new tritoon and it is only rated for 12 people. My old Crest which was one foot shorter (22ft) and only 2 toons was rated for 13 people. I don't understand the rating process sometimes. Nothing will ever beat just GOOD OLE COMMON SENSE.

Well, you answered your own question / statement. OLDer boats were made when most people were smaller in this country Newer boats, they know people are generally bigger/ heavier now, and therefore adjust accordingly.

GXPWeasel wrote:

rhorne wrote:I have a new tritoon and it is only rated for 12 people. My old Crest which was one foot shorter (22ft) and only 2 toons was rated for 13 people. I don't understand the rating process sometimes. Nothing will ever beat just GOOD OLE COMMON SENSE.

Well, you answered your own question / statement. OLDer boats were made when most people were smaller in this country Newer boats, they know people are generally bigger/ heavier now, and therefore adjust accordingly.

That makes sense.

Has anyone ever read the "Capacity Plates" on elevators?

They'll say for example 2000 lb capacity and/or 15 people.

Do the math and you'll find those have to be 'skinny' people.

I used to move stuff in an out of hospitals using their elevators, and about 35 years ago, I learned to double check the weight limit, knock off 25% and then I'd be ok. Otherwise, what happens is you overload it and you wind up in the basement about 3 feet below door level due to being overloaded.

I'd check the weight capacity plate on the boat, and proceed accordingly.

On my 22' boat, I've decided that 8 people is enough.

I've got life jackets for 10 just in case there's ever an instance where we have to add a couple of people, but 8 is enough on average.

Your pontoon diameter will have a lot to do with load carrying capacity. On my boat which has a 24' deck and 2 22' by 26" toons 10 passengers would be no problem unless they all wanted to sit under the bimini.

Glenn

We have a tri toon and all the toons are 27"

You'd have to work hard to sink that toon.

Glenn