Where can I get a new Maximum Occupancy Plate?

[relyt2125]

I recently purchased a 1983 Tidecraft Wildfire Bass Boat. Who ever owned it before me took off the Maximum Occupancy Plate. I didn't realize it was a big deal but i took the boat out once and already got a ticket for it. And i think Tidecraft is out of business or bought out so i don't know how to get a hold of one? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Where can I get a new Maximum Occupancy Plate?

Wow, I didn't realize it was a law to have it on a private boat. Mine have always had one though. Try googling the different phrases "occupancy plate" etc. Interesting thing about my boat, the factory brochure says 13 people, the placard on the boat says 12.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Where can I get a new Maximum Occupancy Plate?

try you local coast guard station.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Where can I get a new Maximum Occupancy Plate?

Please tell us where you go boating. Clearly these wanna- be park rangers have too much time on their hands. Hope they dont give them guns and amminution along with their badges. People really go off the deep end when they have somekind of authority.
Find an old delerect boat and remove the plate. Scratch it up and put it on your boat. regards FRED

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Where can I get a new Maximum Occupancy Plate?

I recently purchased a 1983 Tidecraft Wildfire Bass Boat. Who ever owned it before me took off the Maximum Occupancy Plate. I didn't realize it was a big deal but i took the boat out once and already got a ticket for it. And i think Tidecraft is out of business or bought out so i don't know how to get a hold of one? Any help would be appreciated.

Please tell me what state you're in. If you still have the ticket, does it have what statute number that you broke on it? This may be a case of them making up the rules as they go along...I've had that happen a few times.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Where can I get a new Maximum Occupancy Plate?

You'll want to fight this.

The plate on my 1985 Pro-Line is so corroded and faded that it's unreadable. I went to Pro-Line, who told me they only have enough plates made to cover a given model year, then destroy any excess. The P-L rep referred me to the NMMA. The rep there said they only keep the plate info on hand for about 10 years after manufacture.

There is (maybe) one other option- if you can "gather" the information that would have appeared on the plate originally, there are aftermarket companies that replicate the plates. I guess I'm suggesting that you look at a good plate, list what needs to be on it, then use a combination of actual info from your boat, plus some info gleaned from the owner of a similar boat. In the end, I didn't bother but it might be an option for you.

 

[relyt2125]

Re: Where can I get a new Maximum Occupancy Plate?

i've done some checking with state and the coast gaurd? according to the coast gaurd it is not a national law for that to be on there, and according to the my state of kansas it is, but it is not a rule to follow it just has to be on there. let's say the plate say a max of 5 people, you can have seven on there and not get in trouble. but no one can find my kind of boat anywhere to where i can even get a replica made. the best part is my state has no way of checking to see if it is right or wrong so i could just make some numbers up and call it a day.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Where can I get a new Maximum Occupancy Plate?

Here's a link to the USCG regs concerning capacity information:

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boatbuilder/downloads/SAFELOADING.pdf

Subpart B, Section 183.21 and beyond, covers "Display of Capacity Information".

Good luck!