Boat Capacities

[Bennettc]

My parents are looking for a new boat. They are looking for an aluminum boat that has a six person capacity. I have been looking on craigslist. What are some examples that would have a high capacity. I don't think they want a pontoon. Are there any 16 foot boats with large capacities? Are their any 18 foot boats that don't?


Anyway please give me any suggestions and places to start from.


Thanks!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

Boats are rated for a number of people up to a maximum weight limit.

With America's widening waist line I doubt you?ll find any 18? boat that will accommodate 6 people that have a combined weight less than weight limitation of the boat.

 

[Bennettc]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

I understand that people are fat. Let's just go with 1000 pounds. What size boat would have a 1000 pound passenger capacity?

Thank You!

 

[109jb]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

There are lots of 16 to 18 foot aluminum boats that meet the specs you mentioned. Are they looking for used, new, I/O, outboard????

One example of new is the Crestliner Superhawk 17' outboard boat (link). It has a 6 person, 1300 pound capacity.

Another is the Starcraft 17' Superfosherman sport at 6 persons and 1555 pounds (link)

There are many others out there including older used boats. I can't remember specifically, but I think my old 1976 Starcraft Supersport 16' I used to have was close to what your specs state.

 

[Bennettc]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

Outboard motor. The Crestliner is about right. Just looking for a used one. Any other brands or styles to consider?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

Just remember, the weight limit includes all gear, anchors, fuel, batteries, that huge motor, the people, and that cooler full of beverages.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

For "parents", I would strongly suggest looking at pontoons. They are much easier to get in and out of. A boat like you are looking at has to be "climbed" into unless it has a walk through transom and it is docked so you can access the transom. Both mine and my wifes parents love just "walking" into an open gate on a pontoon from the dock. They will also hold the amount of people you want.

 

[109jb]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

For "parents", I would strongly suggest looking at pontoons. They are much easier to get in and out of. A boat like you are looking at has to be "climbed" into unless it has a walk through transom and it is docked so you can access the transom. Both mine and my wifes parents love just "walking" into an open gate on a pontoon from the dock. They will also hold the amount of people you want.

You are assuming "parents" means they are OLD. You have no idea how old the original poster is. They could be 40 and have 20 year old kids like my brother.

 

[Shadow66]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

Just remember, the weight limit includes all gear, anchors, fuel, batteries, that huge motor, the people, and that cooler full of beverages.

What? Do you mean just for aluminim or outboards? My boat capacity is 1070 lbs 7 person and I have a 3.0 Merc Sterndrive. I'm pretty sure 2 people and that one motor would cover the capacity if not more.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

What? Do you mean just for aluminim or outboards? My boat capacity is 1070 lbs 7 person and I have a 3.0 Merc Sterndrive. I'm pretty sure 2 people and that one motor would cover the capacity if not more.

Outboard boats are rated as noted above since you can hang a lot of different power plants on the back. I/O ratings include the motor but you still have to account for everything else.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boat Capicities

Re: Boat Capicities

There are lots of 16 to 18 foot aluminum boats that meet the specs you mentioned. Are they looking for used, new, I/O, outboard????

One example of new is the Crestliner Superhawk 17' outboard boat (link). It has a 6 person, 1300 pound capacity.

Ok, lets see. This one has a 1300 lb. capacity.

A 135 HP Merc weighs 445 lbs. So we're now down to 885 lbs. It has a 30 gallon fuel tank. A full tank of gas is going to cost you another 240 lbs. so you're at 645 lbs.

What does a battery weigh? How much does the cooler and all that junk you haul around on the boat weigh?

In the end you'll be lucky to get two big guys onboard without exceeding the load limit.

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: Boat Capacities

I have a 1971 starcraft 16ft supersport...NOT FOR SALE...plate says rated for 85hp 7 person at 150 lbs / person or 1500 lbs persons, motor & gear...
a old 85hp 2 stroke is less than 300lbs if no trim and tilt

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat Capacities

I personally don't want six people in a 16 foot boat -- any 16 foot boat. 18 foot would be an absolute minimum in my view. Safety in rough water is the main concern.

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: Boat Capacities

Silver tip is probably right....I have never had my boat to capacity....don't
know how it would be
260lbs my weight
300lbs combined weight of my two nephews
20lb anchor
144lbs of fuel ...three...6 gallon tanks
230lb 1971 60hp johnson
80lbs...two 40lb batteries...I like having a backup
1,034lbs so far...thats the most weight I've had in the boat so far...usually
I don't take 3...6 gallon gas tanks....the 60hp johnson seems to do fine on
gas and just for fishing on a lake a single 6 gallon tank would probably do,
but I like to have a backup, usually go with two tanks. The most people I've had on the boat is 4...Wife, two kids and Me.
Daughter is only 2 3/4 years old, Son is 4 1/2 years old. They don't take up
to much space yet
If I had 6 adults riding in my boat quite a bit,,,I'd want a bigger boat just
for the extra elbow room...where do you put a regular size ice chest ..other
than on the stern
max capacity of boat 1500lbs
minus the 1,034lbs above leaves me with maybe 466lbs if I wanted to push it.
Hmmm..just because you can rollerskate in a buffalo herd does not mean
you should

 

[Thad]

Re: Boat Capacities

Capacity is a fickle thing. Ratings are figured different for O/B's and I/B's.

Let's take that and put it to the side for a moment and look at another, easily over looked, scenario when buying a boat.
You already have the afore mentioned gear. This takes up space as it needs to be stowed somewhere. Now, kids like to play. This means sand toys, tubes, skis, ropes, etc. People like to eat and drink. This requires a cooler and usually a bag of snacks. Again, you need to put it somewhere. Now, you will need a bag for towels, extra clothes, cameras, what-nots. You need room for that also.

Now let's go ahead and put six people in that boat. Even with seating and capacity for that, how comfortable is everyone?

Seven people and gear stowed is the limit on my boat. Everything but the cooler is out of sight. People are comfy. And I have a 21' with seating for nine and a large capacity rating.

Just something else for your parents to think of.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Boat Capacities

Most 16' Aluminum Starcrafts are rated for 6 people but I agree I would look for an 18' Starcraft ( theres plenty of them out there). I have a 16' Starcraft Jupiter V it is rated for up to 6 people but will never see more than 4 and generally will not have more than myself and the boss in it . I would keep my eyes open for an 18' Starcraft Super sport or Holiday as either will fit 6 people comfortably .



Rick

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat Capacities

few boats are comfortable with the maz capacity of bodies in the them, underway. Few are safe, especially if you move around, fish, etc. When the weather is brisk, no one wants to sit on the the wet side. A good rule of thumb is to subtract 2 to get a comfortable safe trip. So if you think you will regularly have 6 people, get one rated for 8.
Carolina Skiff has high capacity for the length due to good floatation and high freeboard.
I recommend against pontoon boats if you are on tidal water.